Sakae Takenaka

“Joy is not in things, it is in us.” Senior Quote 1965

Sakae Takenaka of Kilauea, HI, born on July 3, 1947, was sent to his eternal home on February 10, 2025. Sakae was preceded in death by his parents, Sueo and Kimiko Takenaka, and his wife, Judy Hansen Takenaka (1947-2020). His daughter and granddaughter were at his side as he drew his final breath and passed away peacefully at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue, HI.

Sakae is survived by his two children and three grandchildren. He also leaves behind siblings who have established their lives and families in and outside the state of Hawaii.

The Takenaka family of Hanalei, HI were hard-working taro patch farmers. Sakae graduated from Kapaa High School, remained a Kauai resident, and met his wife, Judy Jennifer Hansen from Portland, OR, at a luau while she was on vacation. The two were married in Hanalei and their family relocated to Kilauea in 1974.

Sakae enjoyed fishing and bowling. He was skilled with his hands and spent countless hours making and mending fishing nets with precision and perfection. Before Hurricane Iwa, his home was adorned with the many bowling trophies he had won over the years. Sakae was both guarded and outgoing; frightfully serious and a big joker; strict and gentle. He is known for doing life his way and did so until his final day.
 

A private prayer and eternal life sendoff was held by family and friends gathered around Sakae at the close of his life. Both Mr. & Mrs. Sakae and Judy Takenaka will be laid to rest together at Kauai Memorial Gardens’ Kiku Columbarium’s North Wall – J46 in Lihue, Kauai, HI.

The family has been blessed to receive a continuous flow of visitors, sharing memories and respectful condolences at the house in Kilauea. Well-wishes may be sent to the Takenaka Family at P.O. Box 7, Kilauea, HI 96754.

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