DAVID REED / 1935-2007
Isle ad executive put his heart into local theater
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Honolulu advertising executive David Reed was a dedicated supporter of the performing arts in Hawaii, contributing to community theater successes as a producer and board member.
"He was especially committed to developing local talent, to helping talented folks in Hawaii pursue the profession," said Dwight Martin, producing director of Manoa Valley Theatre.
Reed and the late Tommy Aguilar, who retired to Hawaii after acting on Broadway, produced shows in the 1980s, and "local kids from their productions went on to New York and became professionals," Martin said.
Reed, 72, died last Tuesday at his home after a long illness. He engaged his love for dramatic arts by announcing his death in an e-mail message that went out yesterday to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
"I have had a full and interesting life and dabbled in many pleasurable activities that most people would never have had an opportunity to participate in," Reed wrote. "I was lucky. I did them all," he said, citing advertising design, publishing, Hawaiian cultural activities and producing live theater among his accomplishments.
Reed was formerly a partner in the Reed Kaina Schaller and Strom advertising agency and in recent years was president of Dave Reed Marketing Inc. He received 450 awards for graphics, design and advertising production from local, regional and national organizations, according to obituary information that he prepared. Among the accolades was nomination by AdDay USA (now ADWEEK magazine) to a list of the top 100 advertising professionals in 1976. The Hawaii Advertising Federation named him 1983 man of the year.
"He was instrumental, with Tommy Aguilar, in bringing 'A Chorus Line' here, the first time a local community theater produced a show that was still running on Broadway," said Deena Dray, Diamond Head Theatre executive director.
Reed's most recent production, with Jim Hutchison and Emmett Yoshioka, was the musical "Scrooge," starring Frank De Lima, which played seven Christmas seasons at Diamond Head Theatre.
Reed formerly served on the boards of Manoa Valley Theatre, Diamond Head Theatre, the Hawaii State Theater Council, Friends of Iolani Palace and CrimeStoppers.
He was born in Waimanalo and was a graduate of Saint Louis School. He attended the University of Southern California School of Business.
He is survived by a brother, Thomas O. Reed, a niece and a nephew.
Private services were held.