William T. Hiraoka walked his two dogs daily in Manoa Valley, rain or shine, displaying the kind of commitment which made him one of Hawai'i's most respected insurance executives.

As president of Island and Tradewind Insurance companies from 1968 to 1991, and National Mortgage & Finance Co. from 1978 to 1991, Hiraoka was known for his broad outlook and honesty, said Franklin Tokioka, chairman of Island Holdings and National Mortgage & Finance.

Hiraoka died Friday at his Manoa home. He was 89.

"He believed in loyalty and standing behind promises he made," Nancy Hiraoka said of her father. She recalled a eulogy her father once gave for someone in the insurance business where he said, " 'He sold peace of mind, which insurance provides its policyholders.' I'm sure my father felt the same way."

Tokioka described Hiraoka as "the insurance dean of Hawai'i, a guru."

A graduate of McKinley High and the University of Hawai'i, where he was senior- class vice president, Hiraoka's career in insurance started in January 1946 in the U.S. Veterans Administration's Honolulu office. By 1949, the World War II veteran was an agent, corporate secretary and part-owner of North American Insurance Agency.

In 1953, he went to work as manager of insurance sales and marketing for National Mortgage & Finance Co., which managed the Island Insurance and Tradewind Insurance companies, before becoming the top executive officer.

Wayne Arakaki, who came to work for Hiraoka at Island Insurance in 1974 and succeeded him as president, said his former boss was so highly respected that Hawai'i lawmakers would often seek out his advice.

"Bill was a very fair-minded individual who could look at the big picture," Arakaki said. "He was a mentor to me and a friend to many in the industry.

"I know he wanted to keep Island Insurance local, no connection with Mainland companies," Arakaki added. "Bill always wanted us to educate ourselves and sent us to seminars and meetings so we would be in touch with the industry people."

During World War II, Hiraoka was in the Counter Intelligence Corps. His most memorable experience was on Sept. 11, 1945, when he was ordered to Tokyo to arrest Gen. Hideki Tojo, the former prime minister and chief of the Japanese army.

"Everyone went to the front door, but Bill went in back," Arakaki said of the story Hiraoka shared with friends. "He yelled out to the general to come to the window, and told him to please open the door. Then they heard a shot."

Tojo's suicide attempt failed and he was later hanged after being found guilty of war crimes.

William Richardson, retired chief justice of the Hawai'i Supreme Court, knew Hiraoka since they were UH students.

"We used to surf together in La'ie, and I've always known him to be someone who is as straight as can be," Richardson said. "He represented a lot of people in insurance, and I've never heard anything bad said about him. He's an astute guy you could trust. I used to just tell him, 'Bill, take care of my insurance,' and it got done. I'm already missing him."

Services are pending. Hiraoka is survived by his wife, Ruth; son John W.; and daughter Nancy R.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.