Yoshi T. Minami, Harold Wong, Margaret Littmann, Mildred Texeira Yoshi T. Minami Yoshi Tanaka Minami of Kapa’a, Kaua’i, died at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on Oct. 22, 2001, at the age of 107. Born Nov. 4, 1893, in Kapa’a, Kaua’i,
Yoshi T. Minami, Harold Wong, Margaret Littmann, Mildred Texeira
Yoshi T. Minami
Yoshi Tanaka Minami of Kapa’a, Kaua’i, died at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on Oct. 22, 2001, at the age of 107.
Born Nov. 4, 1893, in Kapa’a, Kaua’i, she was a homemaker. A Gold Star Mother (her son Yoshio was killed in World War II), she was a member of Kapa’a Jodo Mission, Kapa’a Senior Center, and represented Kaua’i as Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year. She is remembered by the older citizenry as owner and proprietor of Minami Store in Kapa’a, a well known sweet shop. She was Grand Marshallette in 1999 and 2000 at the Kapa’a Veterans Day Parade.
She is survived by one son: George (Vivian) Minami of Pearl City, O’ahu; daughter: Florence (Albert) Tsuji of Honolulu, O’ahu; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law: Hazel (Teruo) Minami of Kapa’a, Kaua’i; sister-in-law: Misao (Wally) Tanaka of Kapa’a, Kaua’i; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Shogoro Minami, two sons, Teruo (Harry) Minami and Yoshio Minami; daughter Jessie (Ray) Shimada and grandson Richard Y. Minami.
Friends may visit with the family at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, at the Kapa’a Jodo Mission; service officiated by Rev. Kudo will begin at 11 a.m. Casual attire is suggested and that flowers be omitted.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Harold Wong
Harold H.L. “Alok” Wong of Kapaa, Kaua’i, died at his home on Oct. 21, 2001, at the age of 79.
Born Sept. 16, 1922, he was the proprietor of Consolidated Amusement Theatres’ at Roxy Theatre in Kapa’a, he also served in the U.S. Army and defended his country in World War II.
He is survived by one daughter: Valerie Wong Poai of Kapa’a; two sons: Sam (Linda) Wong of Kapa’a and Dennis (Cheryl) Wong of Wailua; one hanai son: Whitney “Kahanu” Smith of Anahola; two brothers: Richard (Harue) Wong of Kapa’a and Dr. Harry (Mabel) Wong of Washington, D.C.; one sister: Dorothy (Takashi) Muraoka of Lihu’e; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Kapa’a, from 9 a.m. Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Father Coyle. Burial to follow at Kaua’i Memorial Gardens.
Casual attire is suggested. Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick/Kaua’i Mortuary.
Margaret Littmann
Margaret Weiss Littmann, born in St. Louis, MO, Nov. 24, 1913; graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis, MO, with a BA in Education in 1936. In 1937 she married Sidney A. Littmann in Saint Louis, MO, a marriage that lasted 58 years until Sidney died in 1995 at the age of 81. She lived in Bremerton, WA, St. Louis, MO, and Detroit, MI, before moving to Kaua’i in 1974. She graduated from Wayne State University, in Detroit, MI, with a Master of Education degree in 1954. In 1959, she started working at Roeper City and Country School – a school for Gifted Children in Bloomfield Hills, MI – as a speech correctionist and a psychological examiner. She remained the school psychologist until 1974, creating the school library and donating her entire salary over $100,000 to the school scholarship fund.
In 1964 Margaret Littmann graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, with a Masters degree in Special Education and was certified by the State of Michigan as a teacher and school psychologist. In 1966 she was elected as an Associate of the Division of School Psychologists; and in 1969 she was awarded membership in the National Association of School Psychologists and was recognized as a founder of the National Association of School Psychologists. In 1974 the library at Roeper City and Country School was renamed the “Littmann Library” in honor of Margaret and Sidney Littmann’s contributions to the school.
After moving to Kaua’i in 1974, Margaret Littmann began, in 1975, teaching Parent Effectiveness Training in several locations around Kaua’i, paying the fee for those who could not afford to pay it themselves. By 1977 she had been volunteering at the YWCA, and in that year, she helped found the YWCA-Kaua’i Women’s Center under the sponsorship of the Kaua’i County YWCA.
She volunteered there from its inception. In 1978, she served n the Kaua’i County Committee on the Status of Women and was honored as “Volunteer of the Year” by the YWCA and Kaua’i Women’s Center in 1979 she helped to propose and organize funding for The YWCA Shelter for Victims of Family Violence. In 1980, the Littmanns purchased and renovated a building for The Shelter.
In 1980-81 Margaret served on the Board of Directors for the Kaua’i County YWCA. In 1984 she purchased and donated to the YWCA their current Elua Street office building in Lihu’e.
Margaret Littmann served on the Board of Directors of Island School from 1982-87 and supported the school financially for over 20 years, setting up the Sidney Littmann Fund used to establish the pre-kindergarten program in 1998. In 1978 she was a member of the League of Women Voters – Kaua’i (LWVK). She was president of LWVK from 1981 – 1983; edited the Kaua’i Voter for over ten years; and then became treasurer for several more years. In 1985 she was recognized for Outstanding Voluntary Service and given the Ninth Annual First Lady’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.
The same year the Board of Directors of the YWCA – Women’s Resource Center gave Margaret a plaque “In special recognition of outstanding contributions to the women’s movement on Kaua’i.” In 1988 at 75 years of age, Margaret Littmann became president of the YWCA Board of Directors. In 1989 she was nominated for and chosen to receive the First Annual Circle of Women Award, which was to be presented to her by the County’s Committee on the Status of Women. However, when Margaret Littmann learned that only seven women won of the twenty-eight nominated, she refused the award because she felt all should be honored.
In her continuing advocacy of all children on Kaua’i, Margaret Littmann served on the Board of Directors of Island School from 1982 to 1987 and supported their financial aid program for over 20 years. She founded the Sidney Littmann Fund used to establish the pre-kindergarten program. She also supported scholarships and projects at Koloa School and Kahili Adventist School. In 1996 she was elected to initial membership in the American Psychological Association.
She is survived by her three children, Paul David Littmann, Marianne Irene Ashby, and Terry Littmann; and by her brother Jacob Littmann.
Family and friends will be celebrating Margaret Littmann’s life Saturday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4625 Anolani St., off Ohana, Wailua River Estates, In lieu of flowers, Margaret’s family requests that you contribute to organizations that help children on Kaua’i.
Mildred Texeira
Mildred (Millie) Texeira of Puhi, Kaua’i, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Oct. 26, 2001, at the age of 69.
Preceded in death by her late husband, Joseph “Sonny” Texeira Jr., Millie was a professional Tahitian and hula dancer (Tani of Hawai’i). She entertained at the Club Jetty and throughout the state of Hawai’i to thousands of visitors and islanders in the early sixties.
She is survived by sons, Lawrence “Larry” (Virginia) Texeira of Hanama’ulu, Timothy (Diane) Texeira of Lihu’e; daughters, Valerie (Stan) Sekimoto of Lihu’e, Raynette Texeira of Puhi; hanai daughters Teresa Pia and Rayna Pia; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; father, John F. Lopes; brothers; John (Maryann) G. Lopes of Honolulu, O’ahu, Nelson (Lana) Lopes of Lihu’e; sister, Hazel Kosuga of Honolulu, O’ahu; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Friends may visit with the family at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; Mass officiated by Father Paul will begin at 11 a.m. followed by burial at noon at the Immculate Conception cemetery.
A continental breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church hall.
Casual attire is suggested. Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
