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January 10, 1948 – May 4, 2025 77, of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025. Born in Honolulu on January 10, 1948, Steve was the beloved son of the late Yukiyo Ishizaki and George Tsutomu Sakurai. A proud graduate of St. Louis High School, Class of 1966, Steve went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Hawaii. In 1983, Steve married his lifelong partner, Kit Sakurai, on the historic grounds of ‘Iolani Palace. Together, they shared nearly 43 years of a joyful and active life filled with daily walks, hikes, marathons, and memorable travels around the world–including Australia, Niagara Falls, Japan, and many other cherished destinations. Steve built a successful career in retail as a respected salesperson and manager, later serving as a Circulation Manager at the Honolulu Advertiser. In every professional and personal role, Steve led with kindness, generosity, and an unwavering willingness to help others–often, quite literally, giving the shirt off his back. An avid golfer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Steve loved thoughtful conversations about current events, politics, and the stock market. He was also known to enjoy a good trip to Las Vegas whenever the chance arose. Steve’s generosity and warmth left a lasting impression on all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Kit Sakurai, and by numerous relatives and close friends who will always treasure his memory. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister, Sandra Sakurai Melesky. A private service for family and close friends will be held at Nuuanu Memorial Park to celebrate Steve’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks to make a donation to a charity of your choice, in honor of Steve’s giving spirit.
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