JAMES ROMIG Obituary

JIM ROMIG James "Jim" Stewart Romig, 86, passed away on November 3, 2024 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his closest family at the end. Jim Romig was a kind and thoughtful soul who strived throughout life for success, inner peace and to help those around him. No challenge was too much for him, no road too long, no mountain too high. Nobody would question his determination. Jim was happiest with a fly rod in his hand and a bonefish on the hook. The only thing better to him than a fly fishing trip in some remote corner of the globe was a fly fishing trip in some remote corner of the globe with good friends, his spouse Puchi Romig, children Justin and Shane Romig, and Grandchildren Maia, Isabela and Matias Romig. He is also survived by his stepchildren Malia Schreck, Kathy Emerson and Heidi Altree and his step grandchildren Hayden and Tessa Schreck, Marc and Luc Medio, and Nicholas and Grace Altree. Jim was born in Takoma, Washington in 1938. He graduated in 1960 with a BA degree from the University of Washington. After two years as a financial analyst with the Boeing Corporation in Seattle, he moved to Hawaii where he founded Pomare the holding company for the Hilo Hattie retail chain in 1963. Under his direction, Hilo Hattie went from a two-employee wholesale shirt operation to the largest manufacturer of Hawaiian clothing in the world as well as a major retailer, both in Hawaii and the mainland. Jim was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Boards of the Hawaii Maritime Center, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Film Festival, Historic Hawaii Foundation, Hawaii Opera Theater, Hawaii Hotel Association, Hawaii Yacht Club and as Trustee of Hawaii Pacific University and Pacific University. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Hawaii Community Foundation.