Robert Taira
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Taira (November 5, 1923, Hilo, Hawaii - May 29, Torrance, California)[1] was the founder of King's Hawaiian bakery. Taira created a Portuguese sweet bread recipe in Hawaii and was one of the first businessmen to bring Hawaiian food to the mainland United States.
Taira opened his first bakery in Hilo, Hawaii, where his Portuguese bread became extremely popular. After years of success he moved his business to the mainland United States, building a bakery in Torrance, California in 1977. It is now the largest bakery in the South Bay area. By the 1980s his bakery grossed US$20 million annually. In 1988, he opened King's Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant in Torrance.
Taira died at the age of 79.[2] His family now operates his bakery and restaurant.
