Carlton Haruo Hanta passed away at the age of 87 on April 1, 2019 at his residence in Kuliouou Valley. He was born on April 20, 1931 in Kaaawa, Oahu to Masuichi and Mitsuko Hanta. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Michiko, brother, Masuyuki, and sister, Tamiko Hakoda. Carlton is survived by his three sons Foy (Dayle) of Kahului, Hill (Josephine), and Lee of Honolulu, six grandchildren Kairi, Maika, Hayley, Ani, Kadin, Amai, two great-grandchildren and sister, Kimiko Higa of Honolulu. Carlton graduated from Mid Pacific Institute in 1948 starring as a baseball pitcher and infielder. He went to the University of Houston in Texas and played baseball for the Cougars. He was named the very first All-American Player in baseball at the University of Houston, and he was the first American of Japanese ancestry to be named All-American at the collegiate level in 1953. It was also the first time Houston went to the College World Series. He served in the Army for 2 years after graduating from college with a teaching degree and immediately signed with Beaumont's AA team of the Texas League. He then played professional baseball in Japan for four and a half years and coached for ten years for the Nankai Hawks, Chunichi Dragons and Toei Flyers. The highlight of his career was winning the Nippon World Series with the Nankai Hawks in 1959, and being selected on the All-Star team in 1959 and 1960. His coaching career was cut short in 1972, when he was diagnosed with cancer which forced him to move back to Hawaii for good. After his professional baseball career in Japan, he owned his own printing business and worked for Germaine's Luau as a manager until he retired in 1998. His passion for baseball continued and he coached Manoa Sr. AJA League and Kalani Honship American Legion which took State Champions in 1983. He was inducted into Mid Pacific Institute's Hall of Fame in 2005 and the University of Houston's Athletic Hall of Honor in 2008. He enjoyed coaching young players and sharing his knowledge of the game, and especially loved to watch his grandchildren play softball and baseball in his later years. He was known for his wisdom and kind and compassionate spirit. A private celebration of life will be held following Dad's wishes.
Carlton Haruo Hanta passed away at the age of 87 on April 1, 2019 at his residence in Kuliouou Valley. He was born on April 20, 1931 in Kaaawa, Oahu to Masuichi and Mitsuko Hanta. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Michiko, brother, Masuyuki, and sister, Tamiko Hakoda. Carlton is survived by his three sons Foy (Dayle) of Kahului, Hill (Josephine), and Lee of Honolulu, six grandchildren Kairi, Maika, Hayley, Ani, Kadin, Amai, two great-grandchildren and sister, Kimiko Higa of Honolulu. Carlton graduated from Mid Pacific Institute in 1948 starring as a baseball pitcher and infielder. He went to the University of Houston in Texas and played baseball for the Cougars. He was named the very first All-American Player in baseball at the University of Houston, and he was the first American of Japanese ancestry to be named All-American at the collegiate level in 1953. It was also the first time Houston went to the College World Series. He served in the Army for 2 years after graduating from college with a teaching degree and immediately signed with Beaumont's AA team of the Texas League. He then played professional baseball in Japan for four and a half years and coached for ten years for the Nankai Hawks, Chunichi Dragons and Toei Flyers. The highlight of his career was winning the Nippon World Series with the Nankai Hawks in 1959, and being selected on the All-Star team in 1959 and 1960. His coaching career was cut short in 1972, when he was diagnosed with cancer which forced him to move back to Hawaii for good. After his professional baseball career in Japan, he owned his own printing business and worked for Germaine's Luau as a manager until he retired in 1998. His passion for baseball continued and he coached Manoa Sr. AJA League and Kalani Honship American Legion which took State Champions in 1983. He was inducted into Mid Pacific Institute's Hall of Fame in 2005 and the University of Houston's Athletic Hall of Honor in 2008. He enjoyed coaching young players and sharing his knowledge of the game, and especially loved to watch his grandchildren play softball and baseball in his later years. He was known for his wisdom and kind and compassionate spirit. A private celebration of life will be held following Dad's wishes.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
