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Norman Yukio Hashisaka, beloved husband, dad, papi, grandpa, great grandpa, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many, passed away on January 8, 2025, at 99 years old. Born in Waianae, O’ahu, and raised on Kaua’i and O’ahu, Norman attended Kaua’i High School and graduated from McKinley High School. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Military Intelligence Service, which was later honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for its exceptional service. Upon returning to Hawaii, Norman met the love of his life, Mabel Kawakami, at the University of Hawaii. They began their life together on the Big Island, where she taught school and he worked for his brother-in-law’s company, Suisan, Inc. They later returned to Kaua’i, where he served in various capacities within the Kawakami family businesses, eventually becoming president of Big Save, Inc. and Eleele Shopping Center, as well as chairman of N.F. Kawakami Store, Ltd. He also helped found Kaua’i Kookie and ran the Kaua’i Laundromats business. He was a lifetime Lions Club member. Norman was a longtime member of his church (Hanapepe United Church of Christ) and was supportive of many other faith communities. Norman was known for his calm and kind demeanor, and his contributions were many as he served on numerous boards and commissions. He actively assisted with our sister-city relationships. Throughout the decades, he worked tirelessly to promote Kaua’i and to make both Kaua’i and Hawaii better places for all. Norman is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 71 years, Mabel; his children, Reid (Marilyn) Hashisaka, Ruth (Clyde Fukuyama) Hashisaka, and Ann Hashisaka; his grandchildren, David (Brittany) Hashisaka-Peters, Hisa Hashisaka, Justin Akiyoshi, and Liam Fukuyama; his great-grandchild, Rogue Hashisaka-Peters; his sister-in-law, Yukie Murakami; and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces, along with a large and loving extended ‘ohana. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Kaua’i Veterans Center (3215 Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Highway) in Lihue. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. and lunch afterwards. Burial will take place on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1:00 p.m., followed by a gathering at Kaua’i Kookie in Kalaheo. |
