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Harry A. Hanson would recall that, despite a degree from the University of Illinois School of Business, he had to work his way to Hawaii during the Depression as a seaman on an ocean liner. Harry Hanson, CPA,
wit, ‘wonderful human,’
dies at 90OBITUARIES
By Mary Adamski
Star-BulletinFor decades he enjoyed that memory -- along with the view of Honolulu Harbor -- from the offices in the Dillingham Transportation Building of the certified public accounting firm he co-founded: Hanson, Raun & Hanson.
Hanson died Monday in Honolulu at the age of 90.
He began his career here in 1931 with the Tennant and Grainey accounting firm, working with neighbor island sugar industry clients.
His early interest in the sugar business continued with international clients, Hawaiian Philippine Co. and Bogo-Medellin Milling Co., and he remained on the Bogo-Medellin board of directors until his death. He continued as an adviser after his firm merged with Coopers & Lybrand in 1981.
"He taught me some things that have stayed with me all my life: attention to detail, honesty and knowing the facts," said Eaton H. "Bob" Magoon Jr., former president of Magoon Estate and Magoon Brothers Ltd. Magoon met Hanson during a stint with Tennant and Grainey as a teen-ager.
It did not lure him into a CPA career as his father intended, said Magoon, who went on to write and produce musical shows, including "13 Sisters."
"Harry was a great teacher; he set me up for my lifelong career in the family businesses and running my shows. All through his life, he helped the Magoon family. He's one of the most wonderful humans I've met."
Hanson remained on the Magoon board of directors until last year.
Lauren Hanson said her father was "bold about trying new things, and he liked to share them.
"His attitude was, try the balut in the Philippines. Decades ago when people didn't invest in stocks, he was encouraging them to invest and to invest globally."
"He was a soft-spoken person but hysterically funny -- a witty commentator," she said. "He was friends with very flamboyant people, and he would entertain them ... charming friends with songs made up on the spot. He was a creative person who happened to be an accountant."
Hanson was born in Chicago. He is also survived by sister Gladys H. Baldwin and sister-in-law Pleiades Hanson.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Central Union Church, Atherton Chapel. A reception will follow at the Halekulani Hotel.
Borthwick Mortuary handled arrangements.