Yoshiko Hirose Obituary

YOSHIKO HIROSE (1929-2024) Yoshiko Hirose, 94, of Honolulu, HI; died at Liliha Nursing Home on July 19, 2024. Our beloved mother was born on September 5, 1929, in Kekaha, Kauai to Masa and Heisuke Higashi. Mom's father died when she was very young, possibly about two years old. Her father came to Hawaii in the early 1900s as many immigrants from Japan did at that time. He brought his bride from Japan sometime after arriving in Hawaii. Mom had five siblings. Mom graduated from Kekaha High School in 1948. After high school, she left Kekaha and moved to Honolulu. It is in Honolulu that mom met her husband-to-be Shiro probably in late 1951. Shiro at that time was a wounded Korean War veteran and recently discharged from Tripler Army Medical Hospital. He must have looked great in uniform as mom and dad were married in 1952. They had five children. In the 1960s, mom together with her family travelled the world from the Far East to Europe as our dad was in the U.S. Army for 23 years. After military life, mom played a role as secondary provider. She notably worked at Bluebirds Drive Inn in Pearl City (1970s) and provided income that dad much assuredly appreciated. In the 1980s, mom and dad helped their children and grandchildren in many ways that significantly contributed to their wellbeing. Mom lost her husband of 41 years and only love, Shiro, in 1994. In the late 2000s, mom was put in a memory care facility where she thrived until her passing. While in memory care she still laughed, exercised, played memory games and carried on many conversations. Mom was sweet, kind, generous, accepting, resourceful; as well as feisty and determined. Few knew how quiet, reserved and very introverted mom and dad were. If you didn't hear from them this is their reason but rest assured, they loved and cherished their time with all. Mom is survived by children: Val Porter (David), Ryan Hirose (Lisa), Fay Yamamoto (Russell Uemura), Kurt Hirose (Darralynn), and Lori Arakaki (Jon); seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Yoshiko was predeceased by her husband, Shiro; by her mother, Masa, and father, Heisuke; by all her siblings: brothers Charlie, Taichi, Hosuke and Seichi; beloved sister Masa Okamura; and grandson, Aaron Hirose. We are so deeply saddened by the passing of our mother. We will miss her always. She was our rock and guiding light. A private burial was held at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery on September 10. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary