Merchant’s legacy endures at isle car dealerships
By Erika Engle, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"He was respected by so many people, it's an amazing legacy that he leaves behind," said Alan Uyeoka, who went to work for Mike Salta Pontiac on
Salta, born Michele "Mike" Fiore Saltalamacchia in
"He lived a good, full life," said
His auto franchises, numbering as many as 50 at one point, were sprinkled through California,
In the 1960s Salta expanded his auto dealership empire to
Honda Windward owner and President
Salta "was a great, terrific man with great morals. He always wanted to do business the right way, and family was really important to him," said Uyeoka. Salta helped "countless general managers buy their stores and achieve greatness in life."
Salta attended the
Between his savings and a loan from his father, he bought his first car, a Mercury, which he quickly sold. He used the proceeds to buy two more cars, which he sold, eventually leading him to open two used car lots. Salta opened his first new car dealership in
Under the holding company, he established other entities to provide services supporting the dealerships, including an advertising agency, insurance agency, tax and audit department and computer department.
Salta was among the early dealership owners to bring the Datsun (now
Salta bought a condominium in
In addition to his widow, Salta is survived by children
Services will be
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