Remembering AICP Fellows Tom Dinell and Jim Bell

APAHI remembers two Fellows whose lifelong careers of leadership, mentorship, and service helped shape Hawaiʻi’s planning landscape and inspire generations of planners.

Thomas “Tom” Dinell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and community leader, died peacefully at home in Honolulu on December 9, 2025, at the age of 97, surrounded by family.

Born in New York City on March 8, 1928, Tom was a lifelong learner whose curiosity and generosity shaped decades of public service in Hawaiʻi. He earned degrees from Brown University and the University of Michigan, later studying at Harvard’s Graduate School of Public Administration. After service in the U.S. Army, Tom worked as a public administration consultant before helping to establish Hawaiʻi’s first state budget in 1957. He and his family soon made Honolulu their permanent home.

Tom served in the State Legislative Reference Bureau, becoming its director in 1964, and later founded what is now the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. As chair for more than 20 years, and later professor emeritus, he mentored generations of students grounded in ethical, community-centered planning. He taught his final class at age 90.

His leadership extended beyond academia. From 1988 to 1996, Tom was Director of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, helping to expand services for vulnerable communities. At 88, he co-founded Trees for Honolulu’s Future, reflecting his enduring commitment to caring for the community and future generations.

Tom is remembered for his kindness, humility, and quiet inspiration. He is survived by his wife, Kristi; his children and their families; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

James “Jim” Bell Sr. was born in Honolulu on August 6, 1931, and died peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 7, 2025, at the age of 94.

Jim graduated from Punahou School and attended Cornell University earning a bachelor’s degree in Land Planning and a master’s degree in Regional Planning. After earning his degrees and serving in the U.S. Army, he lived in Eugene, Oregon working for the University of Oregon in the Bureau of Municipal Research and Service for several years.

In 1967, he accepted a job offer from Belt Collins and Associates and returned to Honolulu with a young family. During his decades-long career at Belt Collins, he was involved in development projects across the Hawaiian Islands, including neighborhood communities like Mililani and world-famous resorts like Mauna Kea, Hualālai, and Kapalua. His company was involved in master planning for several Hawaiʻi schools such as ʻIolani, Kamehameha, Punahou, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, and Mid-Pacific—where he served on the Board of Trustees for many years.

Jim was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and was a staple in the planning community.

Jim is survived by his siblings Douglas and Margaret, his wife Mary Ann, his children Jim (Christie), Dave (Reagan), and Tom (Liz), and nine grandchildren.