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79, passed away June 18, 2021, in Honolulu. He was born in Red Oak, IA, to Harry and Doris (Gilson) Stahl. Jim fell in love with the Islands when he visited on a surfing vacation with a dozen college friends in the '60s. He returned to live several years later, after graduating with a B.A. from Pomona College, serving as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam war on the Underwater Demolition Team 11 (he left the military as a Lieutenant Commander), and then graduating with an MBA from Stanford University. He moved with his young family from Manhattan Beach, CA, to Oahu and went to work in the real estate division of C. Brewer & Co. He then joined Stark Realty as president, to sell and market the new Yacht Harbor Towers condominium. His sales slogan: "If you've seen success then you should see Yacht Harbor Towers." Jim was involved in selling and marketing many Oahu condominium projects. In 1979 he came up with a novel idea for the new Island Colony Hotel in Waikiki developed by Hasegawa Komuten, now Haseko. Instead of a traditional hotel, Jim proposed selling the units to local residents to either live in or add to the hotel rental pool. Thus was born the first hotel condominium project in Hawaii. As a general partner, Jim continued to run the condo-hotel through his company The Stahl Group.
In 1990 Jim came up with another novel marketing idea. Working with developer Richard Ing, Jim proposed the first lottery to sell luxury apartments at the Queen Victoria Condominium. Not wanting to subject potential buyers to the then-common practice of queuing up to purchase a residence, Jim instead issued numbers to interested buyers. On the "draw" day his daughter selected the winning numbers from a Bingo cage.
In addition to his sales and marketing career, Jim enjoyed an active outdoor life. He surfed, biked, skied, golfed, played rugby with the Hawaii Harlequins, and completed the Ironman on the Big Island, as well as numerous Triathlons and Marathons.
Jim is survived by his wife Wanda Hiroki Stahl, five children, Ryder (Brooke) Stahl of Greenwich, CT, Melinda (Matthew) Nix of Altadena, CA, Jennifer (Brent) Whittington of Chapel Hill, NC, H. James (Laura) Stahl of Riverside, CT, Brandon (Melanie) Stahl of Tustin, CA, 10 grandchildren, and siblings John (Janet Devaney) Stahl, Diane (David) Hornstein, Sam (Allison) Stahl, Jan (Wayne) Cardiff and Richard (Patty) Hastings. Aloha, Jim. We will miss your ever-present smile and warm and welcoming spirit.
A private service has been held. Donations may be made in Jim's memory to the Alzheimer's Association Honolulu Chapter.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
