Didi Ah Yo, popular travel agent

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Travel agent and businesswoman Didi Ah Yo, whose signature television slogan, "Didi Ah Yo and away we go," made her a household name in Hawai'i, died Wednesday at her home. She was 54.

AH YO

Ah Yo was the vice president of the family-owned Creative Holidays travel agency. Her husband, Paul, was the president of the firm until his death last October.

Longtime friend Marmie Ka'aihue said Ah Yo never gave up hope that she would beat the disease.

"She was a real beacon, a ray of hope for people. She spoke to numerous clubs, always letting people know that there is hope," Ka'aihue said. "She was always optimistic, she was always hopeful and she gave everybody else strength and courage through that."

Ah Yo was born in Honolulu and graduated from Maryknoll School in 1967.

In 1982, her family opened Creative Holidays and soon everyone who watched TV in Hawai'i became familiar with Ah Yo because of her catch phrase. Ka'aihue said people always asked whether Ah Yo was as friendly and upbeat as she appeared in the commercials.

"She really was that way. She was one of the most energetic and positive persons that you could ever meet," Ka'aihue said. "Anybody who ever met Didi loved her."

In July 2002 top local entertainers showed their love for Ah Yo by putting on a benefit concert to help pay for her rising medical expenses.

"To the end, she always kept her wit, her personality. That was the wonderful thing about Didi," Ka'aihue said. "She's been an inspiration to many people and she will continue to be that."

Ah Yo is survived by parents, Kenneth and Florence Lum; sister, Lissa Leong; brothers, Stanton, Barney, and Preston Lum; daughter, Samantha Bart; grandson, Sean Bart.

Visitation begins at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Community Church of Honolulu, 2345 Nu'uanu Ave., service at 6:30 p.m.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.