Neal Kanda Obituary

NEAL KEN KANDA We lost a remarkable man on October 30, 2025. Neal Ken Kanda was a loyal brother, husband, father and grandpa and a good friend to many. Neal was proud to be born in Ka'u on June 1, 1948. His father, Minoru Kanda, worked for Ka'u Sugar Company, part of C. Brewer, and his mother, Nobuyo Hirata Kanda, ran the Kanda Store in Pahala. He had an idyllic childhood with all the benefits and richness of country life. Always a jokester, he lovingly irritated older sisters Lynette "Ko" and Diane "Didi". In high school, he was a scholar and athlete, playing football for the Ka'u Trojans. He attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and then transferred to University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned a business degree. Next, he earned his MBA degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Returning to Hawaii, Neal had many careers, primarily in banking with American Security Bank, First Interstate Bank and Central Pacific Bank, where he retired as President. He also used his financial expertise at M&E Pacific (now AECOM), Finance Factors, Saint Louis School and JN Automotive Group. Neal was a natural at managing people and brought out the best in his co-workers with fairness, kindness and humor. He was active for many years in volunteer service with United Cerebral Palsy, Boy Scouts, State Employees Retirement System, American Judicature Society, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court and Project Dana, to name a few. Neal is survived by his wife Lynette Lo Tom Kanda, son Sean Kanda (Kaori), granddaughter Chloe Kanda, daughter Jenny Tom Lin, grandson Theo "Oatmeal" Lin, sister Diane "Didi" Iwaoka (Wayne), dear nieces and nephews and numerous friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Lynette "Ko" Miyataki (Glenn). A Celebration of Life will be held on December 27, 2025 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy, parking entrance on Lusitana Street. Visitation 10 am, service 11 am, with refreshments to follow. Additional parking at Hongwanji Mission School, 1728 Pali Hwy and Kawananakoa Middle School. For online viewing, visit hhhb.link/nkf at the time of service. Memorial gifts may be donated in Neal's name to two of his favorite community organizations: Project Dana, www.projectdana.org or O Ka'u Kakou, www.okaukakou.org. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC