Michael retired as the owner of Innoventions II. After retirement, he seriously began his writing career by contributing articles to a publication for home shop machinists. He also authored several books including "Waipahu ... Recollections from a Sugar Plantation Community in Hawaii" in 2005 and "Teaching Me to Teach Myself: What Every Education Should Include" in 2007. One of Michael's favorite hobbies was oil painting. He enjoyed and specialized in painting Southwestern desert scenes. Another favorite hobby was inventing things; he constantly tinkered in his home shop on metal-working projects.

Michael is survived by his wife Karen of Albuquerque, NM, son Scott of Eugene, OR, and daughter Kelly of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by his aunt Nina Sylva of Aiea, Hi, and cousins Randall Sylva of Houston, TX and Neal Sylva of Kapolei, HI.