Wednesday, April 16, 1997
What ever happened to the widow of Kenji Osano, the billionaire who began buying Hawaii hotels in the 1960s before the rush of Japanese investment? Recent stories say his brother Masakuni Osano is present head of the company that owns the Sheraton hotels in Honolulu and on Maui. Billionaire's widow
visits Hawaii oftenEiko Osano is a shareholder and director of Kyo-Ya Co. in Hawaii and its parent company in Japan, Kokusai Kogyo Co., said Stan Takahashi, chief executive officer of Kyo-Ya.
She is not an active participant in operations.
However, she does visit Hawaii often, particularly for an annual reunion with old friends of her husband, Takahashi said.
News stories after Kenji Osano's death in October 1986 reported that his widow inherited half of his estate, and the other half went to six relatives including his brother. Mrs. Osano is a descendent of the lord of Chiba Prefecture.