RAYMOND YOSHITERU TAJIRI Raymond Yoshiteru Tajiri, 87, of Honolulu passed away peacefully at home on August 18, 2013. He was born on October 23, 1925 in Honolulu. He was predeceased by his wife, Winifred Emiko Tajiri who passed away on October 13, 2010. Survived by sons: Andrew (Donna Mae), Brian (Karen), Keith (Annette), and Kenny (Darlene); daughter: Claudia (Alan) Morikawa; grandchildren: Jamie (Brandon), Jill (Elbe), Baron, Rex, Tammy, Kristi (Keola), Justin, Joshua, Ashleey and Jeremy; great grandchildren: Kenzie, Jadon, Paittyn and Kharleey. Raymond was the co-owner and chairman of Tajiri Lumber, Ltd. He was a man with strong work ethic and integrity. During his teenage years he helped at the family's piggery. Then in the 1940s with his father and brothers they founded Tajiri Lumber, Ltd., a lumber salvage company, the first of its kind at that time. The company ventured into the house moving business in the 1950s, then evolved into the demolition business while continuing to use the original business name, TAJIRI LUMBER, LTD. He headed countless demolition projects including the Waikiki Biltmore Hotel (which was Hawaii's first implosion), the Alexander Young Hotel's electricity plant, Liberty House downtown, the original Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Tower, Castle Park and King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. In 2013, Raymond received his patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his invention of the "ripper blade", an excavator attachment for the demolition of fuel tanks. His love for his business continued even through his late 80s, as he came to work every day to "oversee" the business. Raymond and Winifred enjoyed traveling regularly to Las Vegas. His picture is displayed on the Hall of Fame wall at the Fremont Hotel. He was also a big fan of football. His other hobbies included growing fruits, vegetables, and beautiful flowers which he generously shared with family and friends. He was proud that the tree he planted when he was young and living near the area that is now known as Kahala Elementary School is still standing on the Pahoa Avenue corner. He was a great father, grandfather and great grandfather and will forever be remembered. Visitation: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Services: 4:00 p.m. No flowers. No monetary offerings.
RAYMOND YOSHITERU TAJIRI Raymond Yoshiteru Tajiri, 87, of Honolulu passed away peacefully at home on August 18, 2013. He was born on October 23, 1925 in Honolulu. He was predeceased by his wife, Winifred Emiko Tajiri who passed away on October 13, 2010. Survived by sons: Andrew (Donna Mae), Brian (Karen), Keith (Annette), and Kenny (Darlene); daughter: Claudia (Alan) Morikawa; grandchildren: Jamie (Brandon), Jill (Elbe), Baron, Rex, Tammy, Kristi (Keola), Justin, Joshua, Ashleey and Jeremy; great grandchildren: Kenzie, Jadon, Paittyn and Kharleey. Raymond was the co-owner and chairman of Tajiri Lumber, Ltd. He was a man with strong work ethic and integrity. During his teenage years he helped at the family's piggery. Then in the 1940s with his father and brothers they founded Tajiri Lumber, Ltd., a lumber salvage company, the first of its kind at that time. The company ventured into the house moving business in the 1950s, then evolved into the demolition business while continuing to use the original business name, TAJIRI LUMBER, LTD. He headed countless demolition projects including the Waikiki Biltmore Hotel (which was Hawaii's first implosion), the Alexander Young Hotel's electricity plant, Liberty House downtown, the original Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Tower, Castle Park and King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. In 2013, Raymond received his patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his invention of the "ripper blade", an excavator attachment for the demolition of fuel tanks. His love for his business continued even through his late 80s, as he came to work every day to "oversee" the business. Raymond and Winifred enjoyed traveling regularly to Las Vegas. His picture is displayed on the Hall of Fame wall at the Fremont Hotel. He was also a big fan of football. His other hobbies included growing fruits, vegetables, and beautiful flowers which he generously shared with family and friends. He was proud that the tree he planted when he was young and living near the area that is now known as Kahala Elementary School is still standing on the Pahoa Avenue corner. He was a great father, grandfather and great grandfather and will forever be remembered. Visitation: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Services: 4:00 p.m. No flowers. No monetary offerings.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
