Baking manufacturer was civic leader

James Francis Dolim / 1916-2006

The co-founder of a major baking manufacturer in Hawaii has died.

James Francis Dolim, who co-founded Snowflake Bakery Corp. and later Holsum Hawaii, died in Honolulu on June 16 from congestive heart failure. He was 89.

"He was a good person. He was very religious. I found him to be very kind," said Winona Kamai, who served as Dolim's secretary.

Martha Evans, who worked as a Holsum store clerk during summers while attending college, said Dolim and his family supported many fundraisers for nonprofit groups.

"They were really good people," said Evans, now vice principal of Lanai High School.

Dolim, born on Maui, was a grandson of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores.

He worked on Maui as auditor and chief accountant of MDG Supply Inc., where his father was a part owner.

Along with his brother Lorrin, James Dolim later co-founded Snowflake Bakery Corp. on Beretania Street in Honolulu, employing more than 70 people to operate three retail bakeries and a wholesale sandwich and catering department.

The Dolims expanded their business in 1961, founding Holsum in Waimalu.

In 1977, Holsum merged with Oroweat, and James Dolim worked in various capacities, including director of logistics. He retired in 1980.

Dolim served as a business manager for 3 1/2 years in the Roman Catholic Church and as a Eucharist minister at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Honolulu.

He served in World War II and was later recalled to active duty during the Korean War.

He was in the Army Reserve and retired as a colonel after 41 years of military service.

Dolim received the Distinguished Service Award from the Rotary Foundation in 1978, an award given to only seven international Rotarians out of 850,000 that year.

He served in leadership positions for more than 20 organizations during his life.

"He had this tremendous energy level," recalled his daughter Juana Dahl. "He truly was remarkable."

He is survived by his daughter Juana Dahl; grandsons Jameson and Brandon Dahl; brothers George and John, both of California; and 17 nieces and nephews.

Services are scheduled on Friday at Saints Peter & Paul Church at 800 Kaheka St., with visitation starting at 9 a.m. and Mass, at 10 a.m.

A private funeral for family only is planned at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.