Harvey Shapiro, longtime research economist for the Honolulu Board of Realtors, died Saturday. He was 63.

Rochelle Lee Gregson, the board's chief executive officer, informed colleagues yesterday of Shapiro's death. The circumstances of his death were not immediately known.

Shapiro, a Michigan native who moved to Hawai'i in the 1980s, was often sought by journalists for comment and analysis of real estate sales trends in Hawai'i.

He wrote a blog, Island Real Estate, on www.honoluluadvertiser.com.

"Harvey was a valuable asset to Hawai'i's real estate profession, providing analysis and insight regarding the Honolulu market," Gregson said in an e-mail. "... We have truly lost one of Hawai'i's leading economists."

Shapiro was with the Honolulu Board of Realtors since 1987, preparing the monthly residential resales statistics and other research materials for the organization's membership.

"He was instrumental in helping the Board of Realtors move into the digital era," Gregson said. "With his help we made the transition from a paper MLS (multiple listing service) into the electronic MLS."

Shapiro was also a labor arbitrator who previously worked with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Washington, D.C.

Shapiro is survived by his nieces ,Sharon Jones and Alison Ellard, and two grandnephews. Services are pending.