Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Blaine Morikawa |
| Birth Date | October 9, 1959 |
| Birthplace | Hawaii, United States |
| Heritage | Japanese-American with deep Hawaiian ties (Maui and Oahu) |
| Residence | La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, California |
| Occupation | Businessman; co-owner of a commercial laundry service |
| Business | Yee Yuen Laundry & Cleaners Inc. (Los Angeles) |
| Marital Status | Married to Debbie Morikawa |
| Children | Collin (born Feb 6, 1997); Garrett (born circa 2004) |
| Notable For | Devoted family figure and quiet force behind son Collin Morikawa’s golf journey |
| Public Presence | Private; minimal media or social media activity |
Roots in Hawaii and a Heritage of Humility
Blaine Morikawa’s story begins in Hawaii, where he was born on October 9, 1959. His family’s roots on the islands run deep, with his parents—Collin’s paternal grandparents—born and raised in the Aloha State, including on Maui and Oahu. Historic references to a Morikawa Restaurant in Lahaina surface in family lore and old advertisements, suggesting a thread of entrepreneurship woven into his lineage.
Summers spent with extended family in Hawaii formed more than childhood memories; they shaped values. Respect for elders. Quiet diligence. A sense of community that doesn’t need a microphone. Those traits, steeped in his Japanese heritage and island upbringing, would become the signature timbre of Blaine’s adult life. While stray mentions have speculated otherwise, credible reporting consistently places his origins in Hawaii, not abroad.
From Islands to California: Building a Family Life
By the 1990s, Blaine had put down roots in Los Angeles County, settling in La Cañada Flintridge. There, he married Debbie, a Chinese-American from Southern California and a USC alumna. Together they raised two sons—Collin and Garrett—in a home that favored substance over show. The morale of the household could be summarized in three words: respect, humility, effort.
This is where Collin first picked up a golf club. He attended Scholl Canyon Golf Course junior camp aged five. Headlines absent. No great ambitions. A child’s curiosity matched by supportive parents. Later, that child won the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open Championship and graduated from Berkeley. Garrett, the youngest brother, chose football and business at UC Riverside for his B.S. MBA with management specialisation and youth coach shadowing experience.
The family’s public posture remains low-key and cohesive. There are no verified estrangements or controversies. Their story reads like a steady, handwritten note in a world of flashing billboards.
Family Members at a Glance
| Name | Relationship | Birth Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Morikawa | Wife | — | Chinese-American; USC alumna; co-owner and partner in family business; emphasizes respect and humility at home. |
| Collin Morikawa | Son | 1997 | Professional golfer; majors: 2020 PGA Championship, 2021 Open Championship; UC Berkeley graduate (2019). |
| Garrett Morikawa | Son | ~2004 | Soccer enthusiast; business student at UC Riverside; interested in coaching and management. |
Entrepreneurship: The Laundry That Backed a Dream
Los Angeles runs on hard work behind the scenes, and the Morikawa family fits that architecture. Blaine co-owns Yee Yuen Laundry & Cleaners Inc., a commercial laundry service based near downtown Los Angeles that specializes in linens, tablecloths, towels, and similar essentials for restaurants and hospitality venues. It’s an unglamorous trade with glamorous importance—quietly supporting the city’s dining rooms and event spaces.
What stands out is the steadiness. There are no splashy pivots or publicized expansions, no whiplash failures. The business appears to be the reliable engine that helped fund golf lessons and tournament travel, school tuition and soccer cleats. A service business like this rarely makes headlines, yet its rhythms—deliveries, invoices, pick-ups, careful presses, and folded stacks—reliably stitched together a life.
Business Snapshot
- Name: Yee Yuen Laundry & Cleaners Inc.
- Location: Near Downtown Los Angeles
- Sector: Commercial laundry for restaurants and hospitality
- Role: Co-owned and operated by Blaine and Debbie
- Reputation: Practical, community-oriented, and steady
A Financial Picture without Flashbulbs
There are no public estimates of Blaine Morikawa’s net worth, and that seems fitting. The business suggests a comfortable but not excessive lifestyle—upper-middle-class stability rather than celebrity excess. No lawsuits or financial dustups hover around his name. The emphasis, by all appearances, is on continuity: steady work, family support, and living beneath the noise.
Public Presence: The Space Between Headlines
Blaine is the opposite of online loudness. He keeps a minimal digital footprint, and mentions of him typically occur only in the context of his son’s achievements. Even then, they’re respectful and brief, often a nod to heritage and upbringing. In a media climate eager for drama, the Morikawa family doesn’t offer much: no feuds, no gossips, no conspiracy bait. Just a father who showed up and a household that prioritized character.
Timeline: Milestones and Markers
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 9, 1959 | Blaine Morikawa is born in Hawaii. |
| 1960s–1970s | Summers spent with extended family in Hawaii strengthen cultural and familial roots. |
| Pre-1997 | Blaine settles in Los Angeles County, California; marries Debbie. |
| Feb 6, 1997 | Son Collin is born in Los Angeles. |
| ~2002 | Collin starts golf at age five via a junior camp at Scholl Canyon Golf Course. |
| ~2004 | Younger son Garrett is born. |
| 2019 | Collin graduates from UC Berkeley with a business administration degree. |
| 2020 | Collin wins the PGA Championship. |
| 2021 | Collin wins The Open Championship. |
| 2022 | Collin marries Katherine Zhu. |
Values that Travel: Respect, Discipline, Community
Ask people around the Morikawa orbit what Blaine represents, and the answers circle the same magnet: respect, humility, work ethic. Those values—part island sensibility, part immigrant-rooted tradition, part parental intention—do not fade. They are visible in Collin’s grace on the course, in Garrett’s team-focused approach to soccer, and in the family’s quiet resolve. If the golf world is a theater of pressure, Blaine is the steady backstage crew that makes the lights work and the curtain rise on time.
FAQ
Who is Blaine Morikawa?
He is a Japanese-American businessman born in Hawaii in 1959 and the father of professional golfer Collin Morikawa.
Where does he live?
He resides in La Cañada Flintridge, in Los Angeles County, California.
What does he do for a living?
He co-owns a commercial laundry business in Los Angeles that serves restaurants and hospitality clients.
Is he active on social media?
No; he maintains a very low public profile with no notable social media presence.
Are there any controversies tied to him?
No verified controversies, lawsuits, or scandals are associated with him.
What is his connection to Hawaii?
His parents were born and raised in Hawaii, and he spent significant time there growing up, reinforcing his Japanese-American heritage.
Who is his wife?
His wife is Debbie, a Chinese-American from Southern California and a USC alumna who co-owns the family business.
How many children does he have?
Two sons: Collin (born 1997), a PGA Tour major champion, and Garrett (born circa 2004), a soccer enthusiast and business student.
Did he push Collin into golf?
He introduced Collin to the game early but is best described as supportive rather than pushy.
What is his net worth?
There are no public estimates; the family’s business suggests a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle.
