Randy, 66, of Honolulu, passed away on June 27, 2020. Born in Waianae, he was a supervisor for International Inflight Catering. He is survived by his wife, Coryn (Masaki) Tanaka; sons, Ron and Dustin and sister, Naomi Tanabe. Private services to be held.
Wallace “Wally” Yoshito Watanabe
Passed away in Honolulu on September 2, 2020 at the age of 73. Wally was a beloved family member, a well-respected business leader and a mentor to many. Wally was born on November 18, 1946 in Fukushima, Japan to Ryoichi and Tsuya Watanabe and was the second of three sons.
The family moved to Hawaii in 1956 and lived in Palolo until 1958 when they moved to Paia, Maui, where he attended Paia Elementary School. In 1956 they returned to Palolo and Wally attended Kaimuki High School. After high school he served in the Navy and went on to earn degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Kapiolani Community College.
Wally had a long and successful career in the credit union industry. He started his career in 1970 as an assistant operations manager at Hawaii National Bank's Waikiki branch and in 1972 he joined Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union, back when it was still called the Honolulu City and County Employees Federal Credit Union, as a loan officer. In 1992 he became president and CEO, a position he kept until he retired in 2013.
In his 40-year career with Aloha Pacific FCU and under his leadership they experienced record growth, opening 10 branches including one in Las Vegas. Among his achievements, Wally was one of the founders of the shared branching system and introduced its kalabash ATM network as a less costly ATM option for credit union members. He created CUSO of Hawaii services LLC to help credit unions process and service mortgage loans; and APFCU realty and financial services and created the City Credit Union Center in Kalihi, which housed a number of smaller credit unions.
Wally was only nine when he left Japan but he never forgot his roots. He was an active member of Honolulu Fukushima Kenjin Kai and Sakura Koyu Kai, organizations whose members can trace their roots to or are friends of Fukushima prefecture and the village of Sakura, respectively. Wally served as president of HFKK (2018 and 2019) and Sakura Koyu Kai (2-18) and even led Returning Home to Our Roots tour to Fukushima for HFKK members and friends. He was president when HFKK celebrated its very successful 95th anniversary in 2018. He was also a vice president of the United Japanese Society from 2018-2019.
Wally was known to everyone as a kind-hearted and generous optimist. He couldn't say no and was always willing to help anyone he could in any way he could. One of his sayings was, "If you do the right thing you don't have to worry about money, everything will fall into place."
In 2014 Wally met Flordelina D. Felipe. Together they traveled the world and shared every moment together. Wally's family is grateful to Flor and her family for the love and kindness they extended to Wally.
Wally was preceded in death by his father Ryoichi Watanabe and his mother Tsuya (Nagase) Watanabe. He is survived by his brothers Yoshi (Myong), Paul (Joan), and David (Kaori) Watanabe, stepmother Ikuko (Aiga) Watanabe, four nieces, and two nephews.
The family plans to do a private memorial when it is safe to do so.
Nancy Hanayo (Ayako) Ishima
97, of Mililani, passed away on September 16, 2020. Born in Honolulu, she was a hairdresser and cosmetologist dba Nancy's Beauty Salon. Preceded in death by husband, Yasuto, she is survived by her daughters, Annette (Gary) Tashiro, Sharon (Mark) Masaki and Irene (Ernest) Miyamasu; grandchildren, Alicia (Lauren) Tanouye, Geoffrey and Gavin Tashiro, Jayson (Renu) and Nathan (Ashley) Masaki, Kimberley and Kevin Miyamasu; great-grand- children, Taitum and Ariana Tanouye. Service for her Celebration of Life is pending.
Nancy Akamine Arizumi
The smallest in stature of seven sisters, Nancy was known as "Big Nei" to all. She enjoyed taking care of her two daughters and large family. Nancy was the first child of Richard Manki Higa and Tsuruko Miyashiro, born on February 5, 1925. She left us peacefully September 5, 2020. Nancy graduated in 1942 from Farrington High School and married Shojiro Akamine in 1944. In 1956, she and Shojiro bought Manoa Grill. Nancy became a widow three years later, and through her perseverance, managed to become a successful business owner, operating the restaurant until 1970. She then went on to work at the Pagoda Restaurant and served as its manager until retirement. In 1977, she married Robert Arizumi and together they traveled throughout the world with many visits to the ninth island.
As the eldest sister, Nancy encouraged the family to be active in Ginowan Club events, stressing the importance of maintaining family traditions. For many years she was instrumental in andagi making with her family at the Okinawan Festival. In 2002, she was honored as Ginowan's Uchinanchu of the year.
Nancy will be remembered for her gracious hospitality and generosity. She took joy in cooking for family and friends, paired with a witty sense of humor that never left her even as her short-term memory faded in her later years. Active until the end, she spent much of her 90's making hundreds of hand-sewn bean bags for her great-grandchildren and their classmates.
Nancy continues to live on through the practices and values that are reflected in the families of daughters, Claire Matsumoto and Wilma Ogimi (Tom); sisters, Betty Higa (James), Alice Morisako (Larry), Lillian Tanabe (George), Elaine Koike (Ken), Karen Shimabukuro (Fred) and Gayle Terayama (Tom); 4 grandchildren, Marc Matsumoto, Matt Matsumoto, Tricia Araki and Michelle Mendes; 9 great-grand- children, and many nieces and nephews. Our hearts will always reflect Big Nei's cheerful love of life. Private services held.
Asao “Taka” Takasane
96, of Honolulu, a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Army veteran, retired master sergeant for the U.S. Army, and a volunteer for the Bus for 42 years, assisting the tourists at Kapiolani Park, passed away on September 16, 2020, at Islands Hospice Home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by his wife, Yoshie; son, Chris; daughter, Judy Takasane; granddaughters, Starla (Brant) Takahara and Krystle Takasane; and great- grandson, Rhys Takahara. Private services.
Clarence Mitsuyoshi Fujii
Clarence M. "Buster" Fujii of Honolulu. 9/12/39 - 9/25/20. Born in Honolulu, raised in Aiea. Retired from the City and County of Honolulu after 35 years. Survived by companion Patricia Kikkawa, son Mark Fujii, daughter Stacey Fujii (John Walz), brothers Clifford and Alva, sister Susanne Teramoto and nephews and nieces.
Koichi Yoshihara
93, of Kaneohe, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2020 surrounded by family. Born in Haiku, Maui, he was a retired supervising engineer at Hawaiian Telephone Company. He is predeceased by his wife, Edythe Motoe, and survived by son, Jon; daughter, Amy (Roy) Abe; sister, Elaine (James Robert) Lawrence; and brother, Isami (Jean) Yoshihara, and many nieces and nephews. Private services to be held. No monetary gifts.
Wilfred Katsumi Fuchino
100, of Aiea, an Army veteran and retired architect, passed away on September 8, 2020, in Honolulu. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son, Daniel; brothers, Frank (Margaret) and Richard (Mae); sister, Amy (Sterling) Morikawa; and grandson, Lance. Private services.
James Hideo Honma
92, of Honolulu, a Korean War Army veteran and retired warehouseman for Coca Cola, passed away on September 2, 2020, at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Russell; daughter, Charlene (Scott) Oshiro; and four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Private services were held.
Hanayo “Helen” Yamane
98, passed away on September 1, 2020. Born in Honolulu on July 26, 1922, she lived a full and happy life.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Ronald) Nakamura; her granddaughters, Jill (Wendell) Ching, Erin (Richard Towai) Nakamura; and her great-grand- daughter, Bailey Nakamura.
She was always excited for a trip to Las Vegas. Her hobbies included growing flowers, Japanese cucumbers and cherry tomatoes in her garden. She enjoyed sharing home cooked dishes of tsukemono, nishime and sekihan with family and friends.
At her request, a memorial service will not be held.
Her family thanks everyone for their love and support.