89, of Pearl City, passed away at home on March 22, 2020 surrounded by family. He is together with his wife, Miyeko (pre-deceased 8/25/19) in heaven. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and was a Korean War Veteran and retired chef. He is predeceased by parents Shuji and Alice Yoda, brother, Henry Hideo Yoda, Sister/Brother-in-law Ethel (Eugene) Mukai. He is survived by his sister, Martha Horimoto, son, Kelvin K. Yoda, daughters, Kathleen S Yoda, Robin (James) Wong, and Mary Ann Y. Yoda, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Due to Covid-19, services and interment at Punchbowl will be held at a later date.
Michiko Suzuki
Age 93, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2020, surrounded by her family. Born and raised in Honolulu, she graduated from McKinley High School and then attended the University of Hawaii where she obtained a BA in Sociology. She had a successful career at Title Guaranty of Hawaii and retired with 42 years of service. She is survived by 9 nieces and a nephew, 16 grand-nieces and nephews and 7 great-grand nieces and nephews. Her positive energy and indomitable spirit will be missed immensely by her family and friends. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
Kazumi Tsukano
On the morning of April 6, 2020, Kazumi Tsukano departed from her earthly home exactly as she wished. Her passing was so peaceful and natural that it was barely perceptible to the beloved family in her presence. Kazumi was born on November 6, 1930 in Tokyo, Japan. Her upbringing was occupied with learning the cultural arts of her native land. She mastered and was certified to teach calligraphy, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and Japanese doll-making. However, her finest gift was designing and dressmaking, abilities which she shared with numerous students and clients during her lengthy employment at Style Center. Kazumi's elegance and grace belied the strength and determination which carried her through the privations of World War II. These same characteristics enabled her to take a leap of faith by marrying a young man from Maui and settling in Honolulu, thousands of miles from the only home she had ever known. Here, she raised a family with Mitsuo Tsukano (deceased March, 2015), her husband of over 60 years. Kazumi is survived by son Thomas Tsukano (Sharl); daughters, Judy Ishida (Clinton) and Lillian Langeslay (Patrick); and brother Tsuneo Hasegawa of Tokyo, Japan. By far, Kazumi's greatest treasures were her grandchildren, all of whom she lovingly minded throughout her life: Sean Ishida, Bryden Tsukano, Paige (Ishida) Kamemoto (Colin), and Kelly Langeslay. So often she mused and said with such sincerity, "I'm the luckiest grandma in the world." Go with God, we love and miss you! Arigatou gozaimasu. A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Ronald Kiyoshi Oshiro
Ron went home to the Lord on April 4, 2020. Ron was born on June 20, 1940 in Honolulu, the eldest son of Walter and Helen Oshiro. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Stevenson Intermediate and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii, Ron was hired by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company where he started his career in construction. Through his hard work and unending pursuit of excellence, he learned his craft well from respected industry legends working there at that time. Many of the stories and lessons shared throughout his life came from his time with Hawaiian Dredging. This invaluable experience laid the groundwork for his future success in construction, gaining not only the right knowledge, but more importantly, earning the respect of good people. Ron left Hawaiian Dredging for a management position with Avanti Construction, where he found his passion for the field of earthwork. While working there, he realized a need to venture out and start his own business. To prepare for this, Ron received his certificate from the State of Hawaii as a registered Professional Engineer, Civil Branch. Then, after obtaining a general contractor's license, he founded Rons Construction Corporation in 1976 (no apostrophe). Ron would later share one of the reasons for starting the business was the desire to provide his children with a mainland college education. In 1984, the Small Business Administration presented Rons Construction with the "Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year, Region IX" award. He was a member of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (where he served as President in 2000), Waialae Country Club, and Oahu Country Club. Surviving Ron is his wife, Marjorie Oshiro, children Ranelle (Jeff) Bensch, Wade (He-Jin), Kevin (Patti), Guy Kaneshiro and Gaye Oshiro. Also grandchildren, Jace and Lauren Bensch, Andrew (Ruby), Therese and Sean Oshiro, Lindsay and Kelsey Oshiro, Christian and Cameron Oshiro and sister, Helen Kellogg. Ron will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace. Private services were held.
James N. Okuhara
Age 96, of Honolulu, retired President and founder of Okuhara Foods passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2020.
James "Jimmy", began his business in 1947 as a small delicatessen making kamaboko. As the focus on fishcake manufacturing grew, the need for space and automation resulted in the factory moving to Kewalo Basin. In 1974, he moved his factory to its present location in Palama. His family continues his legacy of manufacturing fishcake and distributing frozen products.
James is survived by his wife Sueko Okuhara, sons, Eric Okuhara and Phil Okuhara, daughter Lori (Dexter) Teruya; sisters, Haruko Gakiya, Lillian Okamoto, Doris (Warren) Hatamoto, sister-in-law Kazue Okuhara and brothers, Satoru Okuhara, Tatsuo (Tomeko) Okuhara, George Okuhara; 4 grandchildren; Jayce (Marisa) Teruya, Micah Teruya, Lindsay Teruya and Derick Igarashi-Okuhara.
Private burial services will be held at a later date.
Wesley Yoneo Watanabe
72, of Honolulu, passed away on March 14, 2020 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by his mother, Shizue; brothers, Russell (Valle) and Leland (Kathy-Ann); sisters, Joanne Watanabe, Louise (Jerry) Davis and Susan (Kin) Watanabe Lo; and nieces and nephews. Private services.
Richard Masahiro Okada
79, of Aiea, passed away peacefully at Pali Momi Medical Center on March 30, 2020. He was born in Waipahu on January 22, 1941 and graduated from Waipahu High School in 1959. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Okada and his sons Aaron (Jodi) Okada, Stanley Okada, and Nathan Okada; daughters Tiffany (Erin) Bunda and Sheryl (Burt) Higa; 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He was loved greatly and will be missed immensely by his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date.
Kikue Yoshitake Yahata
October 3, 1923-March 11, 2020 Mom left us on March 11, 2020, but for some reason; I do not feel sad or alone. Not sure if I am in denial, or that I believe she is in a better place with our Lord and Savior. The world is now in a period and feelings of uncertainty with the coronavirus pandemic, similar but definitely on a larger scale than to what I may be feeling regarding mom's passing, uncertain of what to do next. Right now, being that spoiled, but "not rotten" only child may now be what it means to be lonely, and now, even having to keep a distance from EVERYONE for our own protection, with no hugging or even touching. In watching the national news of all that is happening, the word, ISOLATION, rang out louder and louder. Then I realized why I have been more than okay, not lonely even though I miss mom; I know that she may have left us here on earth, but she is now in a far better place with dad in HEAVEN. And, I have this feeling that I am not alone because I feel her arms wrapped around me, and even better yet, our God's arms wrapped around her. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Blessings and Mahalo, Gerald Yahata - Her spoiled, but not rotten son.
Betty Michiko Uyeno
Born October 3, 1931, Betty passed away at Kuakini Hospital Hale Pulama Mau in peace at the age of 88. Betty was born in Honolulu and graduated from Kaimuki High School. She was a waitress for many years. Formerly employed at Z's Coffee Shop, La Ronde Restaurant/La Omelette Coffee Shop, and Sheraton Waikiki Ocean Terrace. She was a retiree from Unite HERE Local 5 Hotels Workers' Union. She is now reunited with her parents and family, eldest son Gary, and friends who went before her. She is survived by son Darrell (Sharon) and daughter Jo Ann (Michell) Neves. Private services held.
Hisao Okamoto
95, of Waipahu, HI passed away on March 19, 2020. He was born in Papaikou, HI, to Gengo and Matsue (Inenaga) Okamoto. Hisao served with valor in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was the recipient of the Silver Star and a Purple Heart. He was married to Sadie Tsugie Tanouye and retired from the U.S. Army at Fort Shafter in 1984. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, brother George Okamoto and sister Nancy Tomoko Chong; and is survived by nieces Cheryl (Roland) Ariola of Mililani and Barbara (Steve) Subject of Goleta, CA, and nephew Michael Okamoto of Honolulu. Private services and interment at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.