Misao Tamura

Misao Tamura, 101, of Kilauea died at home on March 22, 2019. He was born in Moloaa, Kauai on April 6, 1917.

A carpenter by trade, he worked at both Kilauea Sugar Plantation and Princeville Corporation. After retirement, he remained active in the Kilauea Community, Christ Memorial Church and the Senior Center. He was also an active volunteer for RSVP and KEO. Walking two miles daily into his nineties, he later did Tai Chi and was featured in the International Tai Chi for Health Newsletter. He was also part of a Hawaii championship gateball team.

Misao took pride in his lifelong passion for woodworking – creating furniture and jewelry which he shared with family, friends and visitors. He additionally enjoyed hobbies of fishing, frogging and journaling. Several entries were published in Kauai’s Elder Resource magazine.

Misao was predeceased by his wife, Mariko Yoshimoto Tamura, his parents, Usaburo Tamura and Tsugiyo Fukuda Tamura and brothers Toyomi, Tadayoshi, Henry and James and sister Wakayo; son-in-law, Leonard Lis.

He is survived by two sons, Ralph (Sharon) Tamura and Bruce Yoshimoto, and two daughters, Winifred Tamura-Lis and Rose (Gary Miyashiro) Tamura, as well as 5 grandchildren, Luke, Holly, Akio, Justin and Travis; 3 great-grandchildren, Elise, Agatha and Hugo; brothers Alan Yoshio, Toshisada and Richard and many nieces and nephews.

A private inurnment service has been held at Kauai Memorial Gardens.

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