West Maui community loses James ‘Mac’ McDougal Lowson
West Maui last week lost a business and community leader in the passing of James “Mac” McDougal Lowson. He was 73.
Born in Honolulu to John M. Lowson and Betty Lowson shortly after the start of WWII, Mac attended Punahou School from K-12 then graduated from Clairmont Men’s College in California.
After college, Mac returned to Hawaii and began his career as an appraiser in Honolulu. Opportunity called, and he moved to Maui to start a career in real estate sales.
Mac was married to his wife, Laurie Smith Lowson, in 1994 by her father in Wisconsin. Together they continued to work as partners in their real estate company – Lowson & Associates of Lahaina – where Mac served as principal broker.
Mac, who joined the Realtors Association of Maui (RAM) in 1973, was a man of strong principles. The association relied on his knowledge, and integrity, in service on committees and as president in 1997. He received RAM’s highest honor as Realtor of the Year in 1995 and was also awarded the Special Recognition of the Year in 2001.
Recognizing their accomplishments and years of service, Mac and Laurie are members of the National Association of Realtors’ RPAC Hall of Fame.
Mac also served as president of the Hawaii Association of Realtors in 2005 and was honored as its Realtor of the Year in 2007. He led the state association in several battles, including proposed statewide raises to the general excise tax.
A very bright fellow with a good sense of humor, Mac was a member of the Rotary Club of Lahaina for over 35 years, twice serving as its president. He often joked that he wasn’t the oldest Rotarian, but nobody had more longevity within the club.
Mac was instrumental in launching the West Maui Taxpayers Association and served as its president for several years. While with WMTA, he was a key figure in the community drive to build the Napili Fire Station, ensuring that upper West Side residents receive help fast during emergencies.
He also served on the County of Maui Liquor Commission, both as chair and as a member.
But above all else, Mac loved his family life. He was a friendly guy who maintained friendships forged from back in grade school through life here in Lahaina.
Mac is survived by his loving wife, Laurie; his children, Hobbs (Valerie) Lowson and Annie (Dennis) Queirolo; and his grandchildren, Daisy and Enzo in Kihei and Jescie and Jack in Guam.
A Celebration of Mac’s Life was held on Saturday here in Lahaina Town.
Through decades of Rotary scholarships and community projects, the Napili Fire Station and his many other efforts, Mac touched many lives and helped countless people.
“Mac was a loving, hardworking, generous man, who will be truly missed by all who knew him,” his family noted.
Condolences may be sent to Ballard Family Mortuary at www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.