Obituaries for Friday, February 1, 2008

• Tokumatsu Gushiken

• James L. Cassel Sr.

Tokumatsu Gushiken

Tokumatsu Gushiken of Kilauea died on Jan. 25, 2008, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital at the age of 98. Born in ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu on Aug. 15, 1909, he moved to Kilauea with his family at the age of two. He worked as a store clerk at Kong Lung Co. and later did part-time work as a fry cook at the Hanalei Plantation Hotel. After retiring from Kong Lung Co. he worked with the Fish and Wildlife at the Kilauea Lighthouse for five years.

He joined the Kilauea Senior Center where he became a very active participant. He served as vice president, president and secretary for the Senior Gardening project and as a legislative delegate lobbying for the concerns of the seniors at the state Capital. He was also involved in the Volunteer Organization in Concern of the Elderly program and a Retired Senior Volunteer Program member for over 15 years.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Kikue Miyasaki Gushiken; sons Jack (Sharon) of Kilauea, Alan of Kilauea, Ralph (Jill) of Calif., Leslie (Donna) of Kilauea, and Spencer of Kilauea Social Club; grandchildren, Lynne of California, Clyne (Eva) of Europe, Lee of Kilauea, Cari of California, Michael (Stacie) of Kilauea and Grant of Kilauea; great-grandchildren, Kevin, Jennifer, Andjela, Kiana and Russell; brothers John (Bette) of O‘ahu and Howard of O‘ahu; sisters Elaine Nakano of O‘ahu, Gladys (Henry) Chee of O‘ahu, Tome (Seijin) Hokama of Hilo and Sueko (Satoru) Togashi of Calif.; sister-in-law Tomiko of Kilauea; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Shigeru (Tomiko) and Kuhei; and sisters Ellen (Douglas) Kaya and Kameko (Lincoln) Sokei.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. and services will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Kilauea Christ Memorial Episcopal Church. Private inurnment to occur at a later date.

The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted. Special thanks to Dr. Collins and staff at Mahelona Hospital.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Gushiken family with arrangements.

James L. Cassel Sr.

James L. Cassel Sr. of Waimea died on Jan. 26, 2008, at the age of 88. He was a husband, dad, friend, musician, teacher and farmer who will be dearly missed. He was born in Oak Park, Ill., on Aug. 4, 1919.

At the age of 17, he was the winner of the New York competition on the “Major Bowes Hour” (the “American Idol” of its day), where he played trombone. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in music. Jim was at Fort DeRussy in Honolulu during World War II, where he played trombone in the Army Band to entertain troops and played with USO shows. After the war, Jim went to Iowa and taught music in Altoona High School where he met his wife, Ruth. He also had a band that performed at the Pastime Club.

He returned to Hawai‘i in 1952 and taught music at Waimea High School. Jim was the choir director at Christian Churches in Waimea — known today as the Waimea United Church of Christ — for more than 50 years. He worked as a superintendent for Olokele Sugar for 10 years. He left the plantation to farm on his own and returned to teaching chorus at Kaua‘i High School and band at the surrounding elementary schools for 15 years. In 1982, he “retired” to grow 12 different commercial varieties of bananas on his Waimea Canyon Farms.

Jim is considered by many to be the father of the seed-corn industry on the Westside. In 1982, Jim was given the Aloha Spirit Award by the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce. He was selected as Kaua‘i’s Outstanding Older American in 2001.

He is survived by Ruth, his wife of 58 years; sons Tom and Dan of Kaua‘i; son and daughter-in-law Jim Jr. and Katie of Kaua‘i; daughters and sons-in-law Connie and Steve Demarais of Michigan and Carol and Steve Alevizos of Honolulu; nephew John Cassel of Maui; and five grandchildren.

A private service was held. The family requests that flowers be omitted.

Borthwick/Kaua‘i Mortuary assisted with arrangements.