Louise M. Miyasato
1956 - 2015
I will tell the story of how I met Lulu Miyasato and the Century companies. Century Aviation was not a financially viable company. For over fifteen years Century Aviation lost money each and every year and was finally sold in bankruptcy in 2005.
I was the senior executive at Hemmeter Aviation when it was sold to Century in 1990 and at Bradley Pacific Aviation when we were the successful bidder at the bankruptcy. I dealt with Lulu as a competitor for those fifteen years. My personal thoughts. and opinion...
July 1 - 5, 1990 Trip to Fukuoka, Japan
Today...
Masaya Uesugi
The many companies of Uesugi in Hawaii with
Lulu leading the charge
Century Aviation / Century Airlines USA / Century Industries
Century Ashai Corp / Kyoto Tsushinki Management
Palm International Trading Ltd.
T. Joy Inc. (Las Vegas)
and Tri-Pacific LLC
Century Headquarters - Citi Bank Bldg., Honolulu
Tucker Watanabe, Sharon Peterson, Lei Yoshida-King, Kaleilani Degracia, Don Woods, Venus Yasay, Lolu Miyasato and Judy Regis
Century had the entire top floor of the Citi Bank bldg. - with little business to support it.
My Disconnection...
For over fifteen years, Lulu Miyasato, as the chief executive of Century Aviation continued to collide with those that did business at Hawaii's airports. Some of the following notes, memos and stories will give a little insight into the ultimate demise of the once premier FBO.
When I filed a lawsuit against Century Aviation it was primarily based on their failure to meet the contractual agreement. Even though Century never entered into a new employment agreement with me, once they signed the letter of intent to purchase Hemmeter Aviation they needed to continue with my current salary and benefits. The letter of intent stated my continued employment (running the company) for one year. All Century had to do was pay me the remaining time on THAT contract which would be approximately $40,000. Instead they fought it with some of the best attorneys in town for over a year. They spent nearly $300,000 in attorney fees to finally settling with paying me $40,000.
Circle Rainbow Aviation offer
Bradley Pacific Aviation takes over
This was probably Lulu's worst nightmare. Her business coming to an end with me being a point man.
I have met many people in my 50+ years in aviation and non more interesting than Lulu. Even though I had reasons to dislike her, I didn't. Trust her, no... but I believe she was a good mother and a good friend to many. I was not one of her friends and seemed to be always considered a threat to her success.
The what if's ... if she considered me an ally rather than the enemy from the beginning what could we have accomplished? Well maybe I don't want to think about that.
"My life truly is stranger than fiction... I couldn't make this shit up" unknown
Hemmeter Aviation photo with Century name photshoped
My first meeting
Lulu continues to win friends and influence people...NOT
Kaleilani Degracia
Gail Ferrera Otare
Louis Pohl original painting from his Pacific Islander series, from Chris Hemmeter's collection. The art work was just one of a number of pieces at the FBO lounge. When Century went into federal bankruptcy all the art was listed on the asset list. Just before Bradley Pacific Aviation took possession the Louis Pohl was replaced with an unframed $15 poster. The bankruptcy trustee reduced the final sale by $10,000 for the Louis Pohl.
The games never ended
fuzzy but my only representative.
Century Aviation's 10,000 gal. fuel truck (unattended) rolled, from the east ramp in Kahului, into ditch before the runway and closed that runway for two hours.