Mackay Yanagisawa began in business as a salesman for a local sporting-goods company but left a legacy as someone who could sell a grander sporting vision as well.
In a half-century career as a promoter, Yanagisawa was responsible for ushering in both the Hula Bowl and Pro Bowl, and bringing postseason college football bowl games to the Islands.
"Mackay could sell anything," recalls Bob Fishman, former manager of Aloha Stadium. "More than that, though, Mackay was way ahead of his time. He was one of the few people of his era with not only a broad vision about sports but for Hawai'i's role."
He promoted a wide range of events — from the Harlem Globetrotters and Hopalong Cassidy Wild West Show to Jesse Owens racing a horse.
But the Hula Bowl, which he and Paul Stupin first presented in 1947, was his longest-running success. Yanagisawa also was a key figure in bringing the NFL's Pro Bowl here in 1980. Yanagisawa's Aloha Bowl debuted in 1982.
Yanagisawa ran the old Honolulu Stadium in 1955, serving until 1975, when he took over its replacement, Aloha Stadium, where he served until 1980.
Yanagisawa died in 2000 at age 87.
