RICHARD HANDL / 1930-2004
Hotel chief in Kahala
known for hospitalityMore obituaries
Richard Handl, general manager of the Kahala Hilton from 1970 to 1973, who helped expand Hilton International in Japan, died from liver cancer at Triemli Hospital in Zurich on June 10. He was 74.
Handl was known for roaming the Kahala Hilton from morning to night, ensuring that every painting was straight and every flower was beautiful.
"He was such a hard worker," said his wife of 35 years, Maria "Baby" Handl, who is in Hawaii for his memorial service. "He always said, 'I'm born to work,' and he doesn't understand if others aren't like that."
The couple recently bought a home in Hawaii Kai and split their time between here and Switzerland, where Handl was born.
He had been battling cancer for the last two years and returned to Switzerland on May 27.
"We were thinking if we buried him in Switzerland, the three of us will walk away and he'll be all alone there," Maria Handl said. "He would enjoy it here."
"When he left the Hilton, he left the place with so much respect," said Kit Samson, whom Handl hired as a piano player for the Maile Lounge. "He was very kind to everybody and very thoughtful."
"All of us that worked with him learned a lot," entertainer Danny Kaleikini said. "Our guests that came to the Kahala were No. 1. We treated everyone with the same respect and aloha."
Handl could become the boss everyone feared, which is what some say kept the hotel and its reputation in top shape.
"He could holler at the top of his lungs and blast you," said Audrey Taguma, his executive assistant for 23 years.
But he also had a generous side, Maria Handl said. "His happiness was giving. He loves to help people. That's just his nature."
After he left Hawaii, Handl became the managing director and president in Tokyo for Asia, Australia and Pacific Hiltons, where he was in charge of 35 hotels and opened five new hotels in Japan.
The "Handl style" became synonymous with impeccable taste and hospitality, Taguma said.
Handl retired in 1998 after 39 years with the Hilton International.
Samson and entertainer Danny Kaleikini will perform at Handl's services Tuesday at Star of the Sea Church. They've been asked to perform Handl's favorite song, Frank Sinatra's "My Way."
Handl is survived by his wife; sons, Dominic and Marc; and brother, Roman.
Visitation begins at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:15 a.m., followed by the inurnment at Diamond Head Memorial Park.