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Co-Founder of Laguna Eatery Is Dead at 80

Harold Ferrier Hanna, co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Charcoal Broiler restaurant in Laguna Beach, died Monday in Shasta, Calif. He was 80.

Raised in Gardena, Hanna learned about Hawaiian cuisine while stationed there in the Army. He returned to Southern California and opened the Royal Hawaiian in 1947.

Signature dishes included pele, a flaming ice cream sundae resembling a volcano. It premiered at the restaurant’s grand opening and is still served.

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Hanna discovered his business partner almost by chance, according to Marilyn Kabang, daughter of Francis Kabang, the restaurant’s co-founder.

Francis Kabang was working as a busboy in 1946 at a San Juan Capistrano restaurant when Hanna asked him if he would be interested in a joint business venture.

“As far as my dad knew, [Hanna] was just another customer,” Marilyn Kabang said.

Hanna sold his half of the business to Kabang shortly after it opened and established another Royal Hawaiian in Santa Barbara.

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He returned to Hawaii in the 1950s and became involved in real estate development, including projects in Diamond Head, Hawaii, Tustin Heights and Las Vegas.

Hanna is survived by three sons: Jeffrey and Mark of Honolulu and Harold of Newport Beach; his daughter, Cheri of Los Angeles; and five grandchildren.

His ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off Waikiki after a memorial service for relatives.

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