Wayne Minami Obituary

WAYNE KIYOSHI MINAMI Wayne Kiyoshi Minami led an amazing life from April 28, 1942, until September26, 2025. He was raised on a hog farm along with 9 siblings. He graduated from Iolani School then went onto Yale University and graduated with a law degree from Stanford University. During this time, he married Colleen Hanai and had a daughter, Gayle, a Kotonk. Upon returning to Hawaii with his family, Wayne went to work for the Legislative Reference Bureau. In 1974 governor George Ariyoshi appointed Wayne the Director of Regulatory Agencies, currently the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and then Attorney General of Hawaii. In addition, his family grew to include Brian and Todd. Due to his humble beginnings, he was involved with various civic activities, such as Kids Voting Hawaii, Adult Friends for Youth, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, and the Nature Conservancy. In 1986 Wayne was employed by American Saving Bank as the President and Chief Executive Officer. He took a third-tiered savings and loan institution and turned it into Hawaii's third largest financial organization with 68 branches, nearly 150 ATMs and $6 billion in assets. He was very proud of the acquisition of Bank of America in 1997, which included the bank's first supermarket branches. Wayne stressed customer services and getting to know the community. He continued to be involved with community through the Great Aloha Run and The Institute for Human Services, by offering ASB office and volunteers to make phone calls for donations. He, himself, made phone calls and then proceeded to cook dinner for the volunteers. During this time his children graduated high school and went onto college. Wayne was known as an avid fisherman and upon his return from his fishing trips to Alaska he would make salmon niitsuke and lomi salmon for his employees. He instituted the President's breakfast for employees who worked for 15 years or more, cooking ricotta pancakes with fruit syrup from Seattle. After 15 years of service, Wayne retired in 2001. Upon retirement Wayne was named as chairman of the 2001 State Reapportionment Commission because of being "very capable and well respected in the community". He was praised for his leadership and surprising openness, and the final plan was implemented in the 2002 election. After this detour, Wayne finally got to start retirement. He was Colleen's tour guide for 17 years, ensuring that she visited the 7 continents of the world. Some of the place seen were Iowa, New York, Canada, England, Italy, Norway, China, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and even Antarctica. During all these travels, the Minamis had 2 grandchildren, Maile and Shawn, and Wayne always said that they changed his life forever. He was also Papa to Daxton, Darien, and Dracen. In 2020 his oldest son, Brian, died suddenly and Wayne's health condition worsened. He worked hard, lived life to the fullest and made sure that his wife of 59 years was care for after he was gone. His favorite saying was "getting old sucks". His family invites you to celebrate Wayne's life on December 30, 2025 Tuesday at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Visitation at 10 am and 11 am remembrance with refreshments to follow. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC