Ira Rohter, professor of political science at the University of Hawai‘i since 1968, passed away on June 22, 2009. He was well known in the community as a leading scholar-activist. Professor Rohter wrote the pathbreaking book A Green Hawaii: A Sourcebook for Development Alternatives. It helped others to see the possibilities for going beyond criticism of the current order to undertake positive, transformative action.

Professor Rohter regularly taught courses in the politics of Hawaii, political ecology and development, environmental politics, and alternative futures. In and out of the classroom, he provided a positive role model for students and for many others in the state. He was one of the founders of the Green Party in Hawai‘i, and helped to bring about the first election of a Green Party member to public office. He was a founding member of the Transformational Politics section of APSA.

Professor Rohter was actively involved in public policy issues dealing with social justice, environmentalism, and community economic well being. He authored bills and legislation and led campaigns to get them passed in county councils and the state legislature. He wrote frequent op-ed pieces and was known by many officeholders and media people for his analyses of Hawai‘i political trends and his knowledge about alternative energy, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and grassroots political activism.

He served as the president of the Hawaii Clean Elections project and as a vice president of the Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. His far-reaching participation in local activist organizations allowed him to develop extensive internship opportunities for students, many of whom went on to political careers.

Professor Rohter's accomplishments cannot be recorded as a list of publications in a vita, but they are reflected in the many blogs that honored him at his passing. Here is just one example: