Paul Ah Yo, of Creative Holidays, dead at 54
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Paul "Braddah Paul" K. Ah Yo Jr., president of Creative Holidays/Travel Resources Unlimited, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 54.
Ah Yo family photo
Ah Yo was the husband of Didi Ah Yo, whose signature slogan, "Didi Ah Yo and away we go," was made famous in television commercials for the travel agency. Since September 2000, Didi Ah Yo has been battling leukemia.
Paul Ah Yo spent much of the past three years taking care of wife, Didi, who is battling leukemia. Paul died of a heart attack Friday.
Longtime family friend Marmie Ka'aihue said Paul Ah Yo spent much of the past three years serving as caregiver to his wife and also his father. Ka'aihue said Paul Ah Yo also managed to keep the business running.
"He was always smiling; great sense of humor," she said. "He was always willing to listen; honest, reliable. He was a great, great man, very Hawaiian with a big Hawaiian heart. He showed his compassion in the care for his wife and dad."
Paul Ah Yo was born on Aug. 14, 1949, in Honolulu, but spent much of his childhood in Hilo. He graduated from St. Joseph School and spent most his life in the travel industry.
"He's done a lot of things in the travel and the service industry, where he made his mark," Ka'aihue said.
Paul Ah Yo took over as president of the family's Creative Holidays business a couple of years ago. The company has been in operation since 1982.
In addition to the travel business, Paul Ah Yo was an avid golfer and musician. He once played with the Prospect Street Blue Grass Hawaiian Band and continued to perform at occasional gigs.
In addition to his wife, Paul Ah Yo is survived by daughter, Samantha; grandson, Sean Michael; father, Paul Sr., h?nai mother, Addie Ah Yo; brothers, Herman, Kaipo Sarkissian, Andrew and Eric Miller; sisters, Ipolani Vaughan, Gretta Sarkissian, Sadie Michael, Kepola Bello-Arner and Louise Kepo.
Visitation from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary; service at 6:30 p.m.
Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.
