Jane Nakama Obituary

JANE EMIKO NAKAMA It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jane Emiko Nakama, 92, of Honolulu, announces her peaceful passing on Aug. 3, 2025 at The Queen's Medical Center after suffering a major stroke two days prior. Jane was born in Honolulu on Dec. 24, 1932, the eldest of six children to parents Haruo and Masako Kaneshiro. She grew up in the Pawa'a neighborhood and attended Ka'ahumanu Elementary School, Washington Intermediate and then graduated from Hawaiian Mission Academy. Jane earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Woodbury College (Los Angeles) in 1953. In December 1951 she met Sunao Nakama, a native of Pu'unene, Maui. They were married in Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 1956, then moved to Honolulu in September 1958. In 1959, Jane joined the reservations department of Pan American Airways, a company she served faithfully for the next 29 years. She then extended her airline career as an independent agent for Royal Adventure Travel for another 20 years. When she wasn't working, Jane was busy taking on her lifetime role of family leader, assisting her parents with their bonsai activities and investment property and helping to coordinate picnics at Ala Moana Park, long weekend staycations at Kuilima and Ko Olina resorts and also the big annual Christmas Party. On Oct. 1, 1961, Jane became mother to her first son, Paul Paoa Nakama, and on May 5, 1968, she gave birth to her second son, Wesley Kanani Nakama. Jane cherished motherhood and excelled at it in almost every way possible. Throughout her life, Jane also often took on the role of "second mother" to siblings, cousins and nieces, while maintaining her role as faithful daughter. Jane later served as a primary caregiver for her parents, sister Muriel, and beloved husband, Sunao. In each and every case, she never complained even once about taking on this role. In fact, she embraced it fully and gracefully and with tireless caring effort. Jane took her greatest pleasure in seeing others happy, comfortable and secure. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, empathy and pure giving heart were universally noticed and appreciated by complete strangers as well as lifelong family and friends. Jane is survived by sons, Paul (Susan) and Wes, sisters Deanna Kaneshiro and Carol Ann Chang, brother, David Kaneshiro, grand- daughter, Erin Fujii, grandson, Dane, and great-granddaughter, Aria Fujii. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, visitation at 5 p.m., at Nu'uanu Mortuary Chapel. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC