Albert Tom Obituary

Albert Quon Yau Tom, 102, passed away peacefully at Queen's Medical Center on January 23, 2024. Albert was born on April 27, 1921 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The seventh of ten children born to Tai Tong and Mew Ngee Tom, he grew up in rural Watertown (now Hickam Field), Kaawa, and Waimea on Oahu, eventually settling Honolulu where his father established the Tom Grocery at the entrance of today's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Albert attended McKinley High School and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in Civil Engineering. He pursued graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science and subsequently a Doctorate of Science in Engineering in 1951. He was one of the founding principals of the prestigious local engineering firm named Sunn, Low, Tom, and Hara, Inc. eventually serving as its president for over 15 years. In 1970, he was honored as the Hawaii Professional Engineer of the Year.

In 1976, Albert was appointed to serve as the first full time Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission in charge of regulating electric, telephone, and gas utilities, and public transportation carriers, retiring twelve years later.
In service to the Hawaii Chinese community, Albert was an Emeritus Trustee of the United Chinese Society, an Emeritus Director of the Palolo Chinese Home, a past president of the Tom Association, and past director of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. He was honored as the Model Chinese Father of 2003. He was also actively involved with the Moanalua Senior Citizen Club, serving as its president for many years.

Preceded in death by Priscilla Poi Mun Hee Tom, his wife of 73 years, Albert is survived by his children: Stephen Tom (Diane), Sandra Tom-Nikaitani (Donald), Valerie Tom-Akamine (Dexter), Michael Tom (Crisanta); grandchildren: Meagan Tom, Heather Kim, Matt Nikaitani, Kurt Nikaitani, Brent Nikaitani, Nathan Akamine, Lyndsey Akamine, Gregg Akamine; and great granddaughters: Jaclyn Diamond, Logan Kim, and Casey Kim.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Borthwick Mortuary's Maunakea Chapel. Public Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Services at 11:30 am. Burial at 2 PM at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.