Mamoru Takitani was born on July 21, 1912 in Yamaguchi, Japan and later came to Hawaii where he attended St. Anthony's High School on Maui. In 1936, he married Aiko Uno in Wailuku.

The Takitanis relocated to Honolulu where Mamoru founded Hawaiian Host - Ellen Dye Candies on January 1, 1960. From its humble beginnings on Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki, the business grew and moved into new ventures resulting in greater production, expansion into papaya farming and the establishment of retail and restaurant operations. Under Mr. Takitani's leadership, the Company grew and expanded its activities to Los Angeles, Brazil and Japan.

Hard work, innovation and commitment to excellence are qualities that enabled Hawaiian Host, Inc. to become the successful corporation that it is today. In their desire to express their appreciation for the local community, Mr. and Mrs. Takitani established the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation to provide scholarships to benefit the young people of our State - winners who embody the standards of quality and excellence that the Takitanis lived by.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Takitani passed away in 1988 and 2006 respectively, their legacy of commitment, dedication and generosity continues today through the opportunities they helped create for Hawaii’s students through the Takitani Scholarship Program.