Robert Iwamoto Obituary

Robert Noboru Iwamoto, Jr. Robert Noboru Iwamoto, Jr., beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and business leader passed away January 26, 2026. He was born in 1938, in Lihue, Kauai, to Robert and Florence (Onishi) Iwamoto. Growing up in a small town, Robert enjoyed horseback riding. Even though he had no saddle, he and his friends would disappear on week-long adventures. By the time he was in high school, it was his responsibility to clean the family car every night because it was used the next day as a taxi - and later used to give tours. Robert took a break from the family company when he joined the military for two years. It was during that time he met his first wife Lindamother of his five children. After returning to Kauai, he started his first company, Scotty's U-Drive & Tours, which he later sold to Budget Rental A Car. That revenue helped the family grow the tour business and eventually expand the company to Oahu. When his father passed away in 1984, Robert Jr. assumed leadership of Roberts Hawaii at a pivotal moment in the company's history. What began as a humble one-man taxi operation in Hanapepe, Kauai, had already grown into a respected transportation business. Under Robert Jr.'s visionary guidance for nearly four decades, the company blossomed into Hawaii's largest diversified transportation and entertainment conglomerate, employing over 2,000 people and operating a fleet exceeding 900 vehicles across Hawaii's four major islands. Their motto was: The Best for the Best. Under Robert's leadership, Roberts Hawaii expanded far beyond tour buses and rental cars. The company grew to encompass school bus services, Roberts Overnighter packages, The Alii Kai Catamaran, which was the world's largest catamaran at the time and home to Isreal Kamakawiwo`ole, and the Magic of Polynesia, which provided a stage for a young Bruno Mars. Robert's most significant achievement came in June 2007 when he led his children to join him in transferring ownership of Roberts Hawaii to the company's employees via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This groundbreaking move made Roberts Hawaii the largest private employee-owned business in the state, reflecting Robert's deep belief that those who built the company's success deserved to share in its prosperity. Robert married the love of his life, Arlene (Yoshida), in 1986; they were by each other's side for almost half a century. Robert is survived by his wife Arlene, his five children Scott (Vickie), Troy (Shawn), Mark (Angie), Kim Coco, and Chad (Tiffany), eight grandchildren Kira, Puanani, Kayla, Bobbie, Kylie, Rylee, Hunter, and Rory, and five great-grandchildren. Robert is also survived by his sister Arleen (Danny). There will be a memorial service on Saturday, May 9th, from 10:00-11:30am, at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, 30 N. Kukui Street in downtown Honolulu. In lieu of flowers, lei or other gifts, Robert's family asks that he be honored by sharing an act of kindness for a stranger or an expression of forgiveness for a loved one.