JAMES T. HIRATA James Hirata, 89, of Mililani, Hawaii went home to be with the Lord on July 9, 2017. He was born on April 13, 1928 in North Hilo, Hawaii. James was an elementary school teacher in Hawaii and Garden City, New York for 37 years until his retirement in 1991. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Emiko Hirata. He is survived by his three daughters; Carrie (Michael) Neller, Candy (Wynn) Shirai, and Caren Hiner; sisters, Helen (late Teruo) Yoshida, Chieko (late Hisami) Fujita, and Mildred (Charles) Nakamura, brother, Minoru (Margaret) Hirata; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His celebration of life will be held on August 5, 2017 at Olivet Baptist Church in Honolulu. Visitation at 10:00 am followed by a service at 11:00 am. Inurnment service private.