JANE T.F. HONG
On August 7, 2010, Jane T.F. Hong passed away at the nursing facility at Kahala Nui. She accomplished much in her 84 years. Born the eighth child of Jiei and Salsuki Fujii In Hilo, Hawaii, Jane excelled in school. Based on her exceptional academics, she received one of two Territorial Scholarships, which enabled her to attend the University of Hawaii (Manoa). A noted Japanese beauty, she had a vivacious personality and sharp mind. Working her way through UH, she met George S.W. Hong, her one love. George was the quarterback of the Roosevelt Roughriders when they won the state championship in 1944, and later had a very successful career in law as a Senior Partner in the firm of Hong, Iwai, Hulbert and Kawano.
Jane graduated from UH, and began teaching for the Department of Education. She later joined her husband, George, at Columbia University in New York. Jane received a Masters in Education, graduating at the top of her class. They returned home and expanded their family when George received a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University. The couple had three children Jane taught at the public schools with a strong sense of service and a belief in Hawaii's public school system. Despite means to do otherwise, she proudly sent all her children to public schools. During her career, she also fought for her fellow teacher's, and later served on the Board of Directors for the Hawaii State Teachers Association.
When she retired from teaching, she continued to serve her community as Chairman of the Board of Parks and Recreation of the City and County of Honolulu for eight years. She was also a member of the Waialae Kahala Neighborhood Board from 2001 to
2005. She was a tireless advocate of preserving unique lands in Hawaii.
Jane possessed an exceptionally strong work ethic, compassion for those less privileged, an unwaivering moral compass and dedication to her family. 0 She was also extremely creative and innately artistic. Throughout her life, she was a phenomenal gardener who could envision and create impressive rock gardens and verdant plantings even in dry and windswept places.
Jane is survived by George S.W. Hong, her loving husband of 63 years, and her children. Carol Hong (attorney), Robert Hong (M.D.) and Claire Hong (environmental protection), and three grandchildren, Scott Hong, Matthew Hong, and Lauren Croxton. She is also survived by her sisters, Fusae Masumolo (Kaneohe), Aiko Yamamoto (Salt Lake), Betty Yamaguchi (Hilo), and her brother Richard Fujii (Waipahu). We grieve our loss and miss her laugh, but arc happy that she died without suffering.
Private services were held on Thursday, August 12, 2010. Please no flowers, no gifts.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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