Robert Taira

Robert Taira (November 5, 1923 in Hilo, Hawaii – May 29, 2003 in Torrance, California)[1] was the founder of King's Hawaiian bakery. Taira created a Portuguese sweet bread recipe in Hawaii and was one of the first businessmen to bring Hawaiian food to the mainland United States.

Taira opened his first bakery in Hilo, Hawaii, where his Portuguese bread became extremely popular. After years of success he moved his business to the mainland United States, building a bakery in Torrance, California in 1977. It is one of the largest bakeries in the South Bay area. By the 1980s his bakery grossed US$20 million annually. In 1988, he opened King's Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant in Torrance.

His family now operates his bakery and restaurant. Taira’s son, Mark Taira, took over the operations of the company in 1983.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Fujimori, Leila (2003), Businessman Built Sweet Bread Legacy, Start Bulletin,
  2. ↑ Trang, Christine. "King's Hawaiian Bakery committed to the 'aloha spirit'". Daily Breeze. Retrieved 31 March 2011.