Hutchinson was executive director of the Hawai'i Automobile Dealers Association. He also represented the Hawai'i Farm Bureau, Hawai'i Fresh Milk Industry and Hawai'i Cable Television Association, and was a familiar figure at the Legislature, where he lobbied on behalf of these groups.

Longtime friend Walsh Hanley said Hutchinson was one of the best lobbyists in the state. Hanley is the past-president of the HADA and owns several dealerships on the Big Island and Kaua'i.

"The way Hardy was the most effective lobbyist was he knew everything that was going on in the Legislature. He knew who the key players were on everything," Hanley said. "He could really get a sense for what was going to happen."

Hutchinson argued against proposed taxes that the industry felt would hurt consumers and auto dealers.

As spokesman for the Farm Bureau, he fought water-rate increases that would affect farmers.

But Hutchinson also fought for measures that he thought would help the community. In 1988, he was presented the Traffic Safety Now Distinguished Service Award as the principal lobbyist for safety-belt legislation in Hawai'i.

"Quite often, there is legislation that goes in that the legislators don't really understand the implications of, so the idea of an association was to get them the facts," Hanley said. "Hardy made sure they decided based on the facts, and he was very effective with that."

Hutchinson was born on May 4, 1929, in Oakland, Calif. His family moved to the Big Island when he was 3. Hutchinson graduated from Hilo High and attended the University of Oregon and University of Hawai'i.

He worked at radio stations in Hilo and later in Honolulu.

Hutchinson is survived by wife, Ellie; sons, Hardy, John, Kihei, and Gustav Bechart; daughters, Kilani, Daphne Graham, and Peni Bechert-Wong; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.