Former Kawasaki executive Yoji “George” Hamawaki passed away on April 18, 2023. He is largely responsible for "letting the Good Times roll," establishing the Kawasaki brand in the United States. Hamawaki brought Kawasaki production to America and helped shape models for the US marketplace, including the iconic Kawasaki H2 and Z1.
In 1966, Mr. Hamawaki established American Kawasaki Motors Corp. and began working closely with Alan Masek to develop the Kawasaki dealer network across America with comprehensive policies, advertising materials and service training. While building the dealership and sales network, Hamawaki and Masek also studied the consumer needs and model features and communicated that information back to Japan. That feedback was instrumental in Kawasaki launching the 1969 Kawasaki H1 and later, the iconic “New York Steak” 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900, which solidified Kawasaki as a superbike brand not only in America, but around the globe.
To further differentiate the Kawasaki brand from its competition, Mr. Hamawaki worked closely with his American team including Masek Distributing and Paul Collins to increase the brand’s marketing, promotion, and advertising. Kawasaki debuted the Let the Good Times Roll® advertising campaign and tagline, a theme that remains integral to the DNA of the Kawasaki brand.
