Jane Komeiji Obituary

JANE OKAMOTO KOMEIJI Jane Okamoto Komeiji, 99, of Honolulu, passed away on August 19, 2024. She was a retired elementary school teacher, author and volunteer at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. A graduate of St. Andrews Priory School for Girls and University of Hawaii-Manoa, Mom was an elementary school teacher for over 20 years before retiring from Ma'ema'e Elementary School in 1980. She was instrumental in developing what is today known as "the Big Island trip" for fourth graders, and she was also a member and past president of Alpha Delta Kappa. Following retirement from the Hawaii DOE, she worked with the College of Education at the University of Hawaii Manoa in the field services division. Mom and Dad also found time to travel to Japan which fueled her interest in Japanese culture. Always a teacher, she and Dorothy Hazama co-authored the book, "Okage Sama De," about the Japanese experience in Hawaii. Soon after publication, Mom volunteered at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii to develop the museum's permanent exhibition of the same title, "Okage Sama De." She believed Hawaii's students, young and old, needed to know the history of the Japanese in Hawaii. She is survived by sons John (Kalowena) and Paul (Kristi) of Honolulu, David (Matthew Pearl) of Portland, OR., and five grandchildren: Kawena (Kawika) Lauriano, Mahina, Trevor, Kiana and Shane Komeiji. Predeceased by husband Toshio; sister Maude Takahashi; and brother Koozo Okamoto. Private services were held. No Koden Please. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary