Don Graham (developer)

Donald Houston Graham Jr. (June 14, 1914 – August 17, 2010) was an American real estate developer and businessman credited with transforming the urban landscape of Hawaii, by building condos, resorts, hotel, residences and shopping centers. Graham is best known for developing and constructing the Ala Moana Center in Ala Moana, which opened in 1959. The Ala Moana Center remains the largest outdoor shopping mall in the United States.

Graham was born on June 14, 1914, in Oakland, California. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and began his career as a bond trader.

He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, serving in an amphibious unit. Graham received two Bronze Star Medals for service at two major battles in the Philippines, the Battle of Leyte and the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf. He was in Tokyo at the time of the Surrender of Japan.

Graham settled permanently in Hawaii after World War II. He was hired in late 1945 by Dillingham Corp, which had been founded by Walter F. Dillingham. Graham soon became the president of Dillingham Corp's subsidiary, Hawaiian Land Corp.

...
Wikipedia