Roy Matsumoto, 76 of Aiea passed away on September 2, 2020. He was born in Paia, Maui. He was a retired Aloha Airlines employee. A caring husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. A selfless man who loved his family but didn't freely express his love with words but by the things he did. He is survived by wife, Gayle; son, Ryan; daughter, Shari; brother, Randall (Georgie); sister, Sandra (Bryon) Yonemura. Private services held.
Fukuko Swafford
On June 4, 2020, Fukuko Swafford passed away peacefully at her home in Hawaii Kai surrounded by her family. Born on May 20, 1932 in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, Japan, she moved to Hawaii in 1957 and became a US citizen in 1967. She was a retired waitress for the Shogun Restaurant In Waikiki. Preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Bruce, she is survived by her daughter, Myra (Lester) Look, stepdaughters, Virginia (Chris) Robb of Medford, OR, and Margie Kaiser of Kamuela, Hawaii, 5 grandsons, 2 grand- daughters, 5 great-grandsons, 2 sisters in Honolulu and 3 sisters in Hokkaido, Japan. Private services were held.
George Shiroma
Mr. Shiroma, 104 years and 11 months old, of Honolulu, HI, died peacefully in his sleep at home on August 16, 2020. He was born in Hilo, HI and was a retired attorney. He had been appointed the head of the Small Business Administration, Federal Government by Senator Oren E. Long, and was also its Legal Counsel. He is survived by his: Son, Howard (Monica) Shiroma of Honolulu, HI; son, Allen (Margo) Shiroma of Irvine, CA; grandson, Jesse Shiroma of Los Angeles, CA; and granddaughter, Katharine "Katie" Shiroma of Honolulu, HI. A private interment will be held at a later date. Please do not send any flowers or koden.
Yoshimitsu Mizuno
92, a Korean War veteran, retired from The Gas Company and owner of Elfe' Cosmetics, passed away on September 8, 2020, at home. He was born in Honolulu and is survived by wife, Ruth; son, Laine (Wendy); daughters, Gaillynn Sakagawa and Lori Ann Agena; sister, Yukie Yakuma; six grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Private Services.
Laura F. Uyesato
60, passed away peacefully in Kailua on July 7, 2020. Born on October 7, 1959, in Honolulu, she worked at J&J Maintenance as a project manager. She loved to work out at 24 Hour Fitness in Kaneohe, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She also loved to travel, and was able to go to Italy with her friends as it was her dream to visit the country. Laura had a vibrant personality and an infectious smile that lit up any room.
She is survived by her daughter Lauren Companion Uyesato, sister, Karen (Andy) Stouppe, and brother, Richard (Leona) Uyesato. Private services.
Dayna Akemi Inouye
49, of Honolulu, an office clerk for Dole Middle School, passed away on September 9, 2020, at home. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by her partner, Lawrence Ng; daughers, Cameron, Megan and Lauryn Inouye-Ng; father, Harry Inouye; mother, Shirley (Michael) Sato; and sister, Angie (Christopher) Choi. Private services.
Aiko Otomo
Aiko Otomo, 96, of Honolulu, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2020. Aiko was born in Lahaina, Maui. She is survived by brother Futoshi (Ruth) Otomo from Lahaina and many multi-generational nieces and nephews. Although she had no children, she had a very special "mother/daughter" relationship with her deceased niece Fae (Otomo) Togo. Aiko Otomo graduated from UH-Manoa with a degree in Education and began a long career with the State of Hawaii Department of Education. After classroom teaching and supervisory positions, Aiko pursued higher aspirations. In 1955-56, she attended New York University and received a MA (General Supervision in Elementary School). She continued her teaching/ administrative career in Hawaii and advanced within the DOE, retiring as a Deputy District Superintendent, Honolulu District. Education was her life's passion and it continued into retirement. She was an exemplary mentor to many of her family and friends. Aiko traveled extensively and enjoyed a variety of senior classes in the community. In retirement, she wrote a telling memoir and in the last paragraph she states, "Life has been good to me." Aloha Aunty Aiko, you will be missed. Private Services.
Thomas Katsumi Uyeunten
77, of Honolulu, passed away on July 4, 2020. Born in Kaneohe, he was a banana and papaya farm employee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eijin and Kame Uyeunten; brothers, Gary (Charlotte) Uyeunten, John (Janet) Unten and Paul Uyeunten; sisters, Ella (Albert) Fo and Lorraine (Hugh) Murray. He is survived by his brothers, Fred (Ann) Unten, Kenneth (Barbara) Uyeunten, and Valentine (Charlene) Uyeunten. Private service to be held.
Bernice Tashima
Bernice Y. Kamei Tashima, 86, of Keauhou Kona, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2020 in Honolulu. Born in Kapaa, Kauai to Shizue and Yoshio Kamei, she graduated from Kapaa High School, Stanford University, and later received her Master's Degree from Columbia University. She spent most of her educational career as a first-grade teacher at Kealakehe Elementary School in Kona.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sadaharu. She is survived by her daughter Karen (David) and her son, Wendell. Extended Ohana: brothers-in- law - James (Nancy) Tashima; Minoru (Karen) Tashima; sisters- in-law - Minnie Allison; and Midori Katano and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dr. David Y.S. Yee
The Yee and Tashima families are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved son brother and husband, Dr. David Y.S. Yee passed away, peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born on May 19, 1962 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the youngest son of William and Dr. Helena Yee.
Dr. Yee was a graduate of St. Louis High School in Honolulu where he made many life-long friendships. He went on to do his undergraduate work at University of California, Davis and his graduate studies at the California College of Podiatric Medicine. Upon returning to Honolulu, he joined the family podiatric practice, Hawaii Foot Clinic, in downtown Honolulu, working beside his mother, Dr. Helena Yee. He eventually opened his own practice, Honolulu Foot Care. Dr. Yee loved the practice of podiatry and had many faithful patients who depended on his professional care.
He was a member of the St. Louis Alumni Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Podiatric Medical Association and, in his earlier years, the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, where he was extensively involved in many service projects which benefited the local Chinese community, as well as the Honolulu community at large. He was fondly remembered by many of his fellow chapter members in recent social media postings which recalled his hard work and devotion to their mission.
When not working, Dr. Yee enjoyed being a dog dad to Corky, as well as Rocky and Jiro, his beloved dogs who preceded him in passing. He loved walking them around the neighborhood and spending time with them at home. He also enjoyed cooking, singing karaoke and, most recently, creating stained glass works of art.
He was a devoted husband, dog dad, friend, and doctor. He so appreciated the family, friends and patients who faithfully supported him throughout the years, especially the last six years when his health was not at its best. This was a direct result of his genuine caring and kindness to everyone he would deal with, personally and professionally.
Dr. Yee is survived by his wife, Karen R. Tashima, his dog Corky, mother Dr. Helena Yee, brothers Dr. Michael (Helen) Yee, Dr. Christopher (Linda) Yee, brother-in-law, Wendell Tashima, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He truly represents a life that is celebrated.