Island restaurateur Rod Gardiner, 65, died of cancer Friday in Scottsdale, Ariz. ROD GARDINER / ISLE RESTAURATEUR
Kobe Steak House stays
a family-run enterprise
See also: Obituaries
Star-Bulletin staff
In 1972, Gardiner launched the first Kobe Japanese Steak House at 1841 Ala Moana. He also opened and later sold Kobe restaurants in Lahaina and Palm Springs, Calif.; Hy's Steak House on Kuhio Avenue; and Banditos Cantina in Pearlridge.
Gardiner's wife, Marilyn, will continue to run the Waikiki steakhouse. "We're going to have a Gardiner at the helm forever and ever," said Soni Hayslip, who has been with the Waikiki Kobe Japanese Steak House since 1977.
He is survived by his wife, sons Scott and Brett, granddaughter Mahealani and mother Rose, of Lethbridge, Canada.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11300 N. 64th St., Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
