A living legend on the island of Maui, Hawaii, 89 year-old machinist, former bar owner, jazz buff and irascible writer of pithy letters to local publications.

Born in 1921 son of Armenian immigrants, Arsene “Blackie” Gadarian was raised in the slums of New York.  A World War II Navy veteran, served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific. An aircraft mechanic, Western Airlines, private aviation at LA airport, 1945-1960 

Blackie and Sara Gadarian married in 1960, moved to Newport Beach, California, where Blackie worked as an aircraft mechanic, boat mechanic and started Blackie’s Boat Yard.

Blackie and Sara Gadarian ran Blackie’s Boat Yard - Newport Beach from 1964 to 1979.  Blackie became known for battling City Hall and being a colorful character in many ways.  Everything at Blackie’s Boat Yard was painted orange, which Blackie contends is the only neutral color he knows.  The machinery, tugboat, crane, truck and Blackie’s shirts were bright orange.

Blackie and Sara Gadarian started Blackie’s Boat Yard – Maui in 1976, and operated Blackie’s Bar, restaurant and jazz club from 1981 to 1995.

A lifelong machinist by trade, Maui Blackie operates Blackie’s Machine Shop Lahaina specializing in metal fabrication and custom railings.

The orange color continues on top of the buildings, on the machinery, golf cart and truck, and always on Maui Blackie’s shirts.

A jazz music aficionado and impresario with large repertoire of recorded jazz music, Maui Blackie broadcasts selections on a local Maui radio station.

Maui Blackie Gadarian is a licensed minister of Lahaina First Chapel, officiating at weddings at the beach, golf course and on motorcycles.

Maui Blackie Gadarian has worn his trademark orange shirt all over the United States and Europe, from the back streets of Lahaina to the jazz clubs of Paris, verandas of yacht clubs and posh restaurants and hotels.