Harry Masami Muranaka
Harry Masami Muranaka passed away on Jan. 30, 2023, in Waimea, at the age of 87. He was born on March 11, 1935, in Waimea. He was a chemist.
He was preceded in death by parents Takejiro and Kaya Muranaka, brothers Teruto, Kaoru and Satoru Muranaka, and sisters Jeannie Okuhara and Fusaye Muranaka.
He is survived by daughters Naomi (Royce) Lipp-Krysler of Kapa‘a and Jayne Muranaka of Kekaha, grandson Kupono Pereira, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at the Waimea Hongwanji Temple on Sunday, March 12. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. and service to follow at 3 p.m. The family requests casual attire. Due to COVID-19, masks are required and temperatures will be taken.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Katherine K. Matsushima
Katherine K. Matsushima, 77, of Anahola, passed away on Feb. 10, 2023. She was born in Lihu‘e on June 6, 1945.
She was preceded in passing by husband Clifford Matsushima Sr., parents August Sr. and Katherine Kane, brother August Jr. and granddaughters Mistie and Teeana Valpoon.
She is survived by children Dexter “Kaleo” Matsushima, Leah “Teete” (Russell) Matsushima, Cassie (Aaron) Camara, Deede (Peter) Contrades, Clifford “Kaina” (Glenda) Matsushima Jr., siblings April Reis, Lowell (Joann) Kane and Elizabeth “Keala” (Tony) Prem, grandchildren Cody Valpoon, Aarika-lei (Kameron) and Austin Camara, Chelsey Contrades, Kaison and Kaeleigh Matsushima, great-grandchildren Aleiah Agtarap, Ileana, La‘akea and Kamaehu Contrades-Oshiro, Lihau, Lawai‘a, Lokahi and Kaikoa Valpoon, and Liloa Ragsac.
A celebration of life is Saturday, March 11, at Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Protestant Church in Anahola. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with services to follow.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Masao ‘Masa’ Fujimoto
Masao “Masa” Fujimoto, 95, of Hanapepe, peacefully passed away on Feb. 11, 2023. His final days were spent at Hale Kupuna, surrounded by hospice and the family he loved so much. He was born in Waimea.
A good-natured and unassuming man, he served in the U.S. Army and retired as a carpenter foreman with Shioi Construction on Kaua‘i. He was one of three original employees of Shioi Construction on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, and was said to be the best finishing carpenter they ever had.
He met Janet Cabacungan (Mira) and, upon marrying her in April 1979, he gained five stepchildren (Harvey, Corinne, Marlene, David and Mary Alice) when they were in their teens, and they quickly accepted him into the family, which grew into a loving bond.
He loved going to Las Vegas. You could always find him at the craps table. When he retired, it became an annual trip. He was quick to remind his stepchildren Marlene and David that it was time to hit Vegas, and off they went. He also enjoyed fishing (“don’t forget the sunscreen,” his wife reminded). He also looked forward to watching his favorite entertainment on TV: Samurai action flicks and WWE Wrestling.
He was a family man, always visiting and helping his stepchildren with their home projects and baby-sitting. He was a good friend to many, and never shied away from helping others with building projects when asked.
He was never far from the harbor, his meditative place that connected him to his joy of fishing, the fresh salty air, and caring for the harbor cats who looked for the “old man with the flap hat” who nourished them.
He was predeceased by his stepdaughter, Mary Alice Mira, who was his favorite. They are together again in heaven.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet and pup April, stepchildren Harvey (Colleen) Mira, Corinne (Matthew) Simao, Marlene (Joe Clark) Mira and David (Tim Flaherty) Mira, grandchildren Janelle (Chet) Kaita, Justyn (Vanessa) Simao, Corey (Nicole) Simao, Kellen Mira, Taryn (Alex) Oubre, and great-grandchildren, Jai Kaita, Sage Masao Simao and Evan Oubre.
A memorial service is at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery on Friday, March 17, at 11 a.m., followed by a gathering at the Hanapepe Church of the Nazarene.
He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. His love lives on.
Raymond Sakae Yamane
1930-2023
Raymond Sakae Yamane, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 17, 2023, after a long, full life and short illness.
Born June 12, 1930, he had an idyllic childhood, running around barefoot and jumping off the pier in Waimea.
He traveled the United States as a telecommunication engineer, eventually meeting Jean Deis while working in a small town in upstate New York. He had to leave on another work assignment, but told her, “I’ll be back; let’s get married.” True to his word, they were married in 1961 and traveled from state to state and continent to continent together.
In 1971, they settled in Half Moon Bay, California with their children, Rae, Jill and David. He continued his career, eventually starting his own company, Raycomm, and finally retiring to spend part of the year on his beloved Kaua‘i, summers with Jean’s family in Old Forge, New York, and gardening in Half Moon Bay, weather permitting.
He is survived by Jean, his wife of 62 years, and sister Nancy, children Rae (Michael) Monahan of Half Moon Bay, California, Jill (Wayne) Impink of Miramar, California, and David (Sandy) Yamane of Mocksville, North Carolina, grandchildren, Paul, Ian, Hannah, Evan and Mark, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Never one to draw attention to himself, he requested no service or memorial in his honor.
Judith Eileen Matsuoka Bale
Judith Eileen Matsuoka Bale died on Feb. 22, 2023, following a terminal respiratory illness. Born on July 1, 1944, to Kenneth and Yachiyo Matsuoka, she grew up in Makaweli. She later moved to the mainland for university and practiced speech pathology for 29 years.
After the passing of her first husband, Gary Ropp, she met her current husband, Gary Bale, and they resided in Minnesota. She is fondly remembered for her generosity, charisma and exuberance. From her countless stories and humor to her winning golden touch and musical talent, she was magnetic.
She is survived by husband Gary Bale, brother Ken Matsuoka, children Kenneth Ropp Cherie Gartner, Michele Hull and Eric Bale, and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by parents Kenneth and Yachiyo Matsuoka, brother Gary Matsuoka and first husband Gary Ropp.
As a wife, sister, mother and grandmother, she will never be forgotten. She was the light in a world full of her many stars.
A hui hou.
