Tourism industry leader Stanley Takahashi, 70, dies
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Stanley Sadayuki Takahashi, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Japanese investment firm Kyo-ya Co. Ltd., died Dec. 23 at the age of 70.
Advertiser library photo
Takahashi, born in Honolulu, began his career in the hotel industry as a Matson Navigation Co. accounting clerk at Waikiki hotels in 1952.
Stanley Takahashi was a father figure to many of his employees and was humble and caring, said Starwood spokesman David Uchiyama.
Three years later he was promoted to auditor of Waikiki hotels and in 1959 he became auditor of all Hawai'i hotels for Sheraton Corp. He was named controller of Sheraton hotels in Hawai'i in 1965, then became Sheraton's regional controller for Hawai'i and Asia. In 1974 he was named vice president and division controller for Sheraton hotels in the Pacific, then served as senior vice president for Sheraton in the Pacific. He became assistant director of operations for Sheraton in Hawai'i and Japan in 1982.
Takahashi in 1989 became executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kyo-ya Co., which owns Sheraton hotels in Hawai'i.
A prominent leader in the tourism industry, Takahashi was a father figure to many of his employees and was humble and caring, said Starwood spokesman David Uchiyama.
Takahashi is survived by his wife, Annette; son, Tod; daughter, Nan Tome; granddaughter, Lindsey Tome; sisters Carol Tanaka and Jean Morita; and brother, Nelson Takahashi.
Visitation will be held 9 a.m. Friday at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, followed by a memorial service at 10 a.m. Flowers are welcome. Arrangements by Hosoi Garden Mortuary.
