Sharon Aiko Gushiken

Sharon Aiko Gushiken, 86, of Kilauea, passed away on September 28, 2025. She was everyone’s favorite fun Aunty, loved by family, friends, and the neighborhood children who enjoyed her warmth, hearty laugh, and her humor with a twinkle in her eye.

Yet one should never underestimate Sharon from appearances alone. She was feisty, strong, and a hard worker. Her family life was upended when her husband Jack received a work assignment from C. Brewer and the whole family had to move from Kaumakani to Iran. While her husband worked on the irrigation project, Sharon lived like a local, dealing with a new culture, language, and lifestyle.

After returning from Iran, Sharon worked with her sisters Ruth and Alice at Yamada’s Cleaners in Kapaa town. While working hard, they still talked story and laughed a lot. Later, Sharon worked at Kilauea Elementary School and enjoyed getting to know the local keiki.

For many years, she walked on weekdays with the “Golden Girls.” These walks ended at the Kilauea Bakery, where she enjoyed a cup of Americano coffee, a croissant, and catching up on the latest news. Even after she could no longer make the trek, she would still occasionally meet up with the ladies at the bakery. While at home, she found gardening relaxing and even helped her husband hybridize guava trees through the Aiko’s Nursery business. She loved cats and over the years built up an impressive collection of cat memorabilia and souvenirs.

Sharon enjoyed traveling and looked forward to playing poker and penny slots in Las Vegas. Over time, she also visited the UK, Denmark, Scotland, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, and Micronesia. One personal highlight came on March 6, 2019 when she attended a Laker game with Chairman’s Club access for her 80th birthday. At that game, her favorite basketball player, LeBron James, scored 31 points and passed Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

The family would like to express their gratitude to family and friends who provided love, support, and prayers. Special thank you to Berna Arruda, Dani Tejada, Christine Duldulao, Emily Mariano and Kauai Hospice for providing excellent care with patience and compassion. We would also like to express our appreciation for Kauai Memorial Gardens for assisting with the private viewing.

Sharon was preceded in death by husband Jack Norio Gushiken, parents Yasuichi and Sueko Kawasaki, and all her siblings: Helen Zane, Ruth Yamada, Hiroshi Kawasaki, George Kawasaki, Alice Hatakeyama, Irene Yagi, Shirley Yonemura, and Elaine Honda.

She is survived by daughter, Lynne Gushiken, sons Clyne (Eva) Gushiken and Lee Gushiken, grandchildren Kevin (Michi) Gushiken, Jennifer Gushiken, and Andjela (Kyle Chung) Gushiken, great-grandchildren Jayden Keoni Gushiken, Kiani Maile Gushiken and Alina Aiko Chung, brothers in law Alan Gushiken, Ralph (Jill) Gushiken, Leslie (Donna) Gushiken, and Arthur Honda, and numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Sharon Aiko Gushiken, please visit our Tree Store.