Norman Y. Hashisaka
Norman Yukio Hashisaka, beloved husband, dad, papi, grandpa, great grandpa, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many, passed away on Jan. 8, 2025, at 99 years old. Born in Waianae, O‘ahu, and raised on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, Norman attended Kaua‘i High School and graduated from McKinley High School. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Military Intelligence Service, which was later honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for its exceptional service.
Upon returning to Hawaii, Norman met the love of his life, Mabel Kawakami, at the University of Hawaii. They began their life together on the Big Island, where she taught school and he worked for his brother-in-law’s company, Suisan, Inc. They later returned to Kaua‘i, where he served in various capacities within the Kawakami family businesses, eventually becoming president of Big Save, Inc. and Eleele Shopping Center, as well as chairman of N.F. Kawakami Store, Ltd. He also helped found Kaua‘i Kookie and ran the Kaua‘i Laundromats business. He was a lifetime Lions Club member. Norman was a longtime member of his church (Hanapepe United Church of Christ) and was supportive of many other faith communities.
Norman was known for his calm and kind demeanor, and his contributions were many as he served on numerous boards and commissions. He actively assisted with our sister-city relationships. Throughout the decades, he worked tirelessly to promote Kaua‘i and to make both Kaua‘i and Hawaii better places for all.
Norman is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 71 years, Mabel, his children Reid (Marilyn) Hashisaka, Ruth (Clyde Fukuyama) Hashisaka, Ann Hashisaka, his grandchildren David (Brittany) Hashisaka-Peters, Hisa Hashisaka, Justin Akiyoshi, Liam Fukuyama, his great-grandchild Rogue Hashisaka-Peters, his sister-in-law Yukie Murakami, numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces, along with a large and loving extended ‘ohana.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center (3215 Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Highway) in Lihue. Visitation will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. and lunch afterwards. Burial will take place on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m., followed by a gathering at Kaua‘i Kookie in Kalaheo.
Silas ‘Charlie’ Kaumakahia Aqui
Silas “Charlie” Kaumakahia Aqui passed away on Jan. 17, 2025, at his home in Kapa‘a, Hawaii, surrounded by his ‘ohana. He was born on Aug. 11, 1962, to Silas Aqui and Marion Haruko Toguchi. Charlie was a carpenter by trade.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Wayne Watanabe and Nelson Makanani.
He is survived by his siblings Joseph (Rita) Aqui of College Place, Washington, Gerald (Wanda) Aqui of Kalāheo, Hawaii, Kathleen Watanabe of Wailua, Hawaii, Glenn (Linda) Aqui of Puhi, Hawaii, Jan Makanani of Hilo, Hawaii, Reggie (Phil) Aqui of San Francisco, California, and Marc (Dow) Aqui of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his stepmother Marti Aqui of Aberdeen, Maryland, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and his beloved cat Niele.
Charlie’s ‘ohana invites family and friends to celebrate his life on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cobb-Adams’ River House in Anahola (4271-E Kamane Road).
