Celebrating the Life of EDWARD TORAO KANAYA August 26, 1923 May 27, 2014 Edward "Ed" Torao Kanaya had a lifelong love for music that began as a teenager at Washington Intermediate School and carried his spirit through the next eight decades of a remarkable life. Ed played the ute and piccolo beautifully. He had the rare distinction of performing with the Army Band overseas, then with the Royal Hawaiian Band and, later, the Honolulu Symphony from 1955-1975. A 1941 McKinley High School graduate, Ed's studies at the University of Hawaii were interrupted by World War II. Determined to prove his loyalty, he served in the Hawaii Territorial Guard, Varsity Victory Volunteers, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After the war, Ed found a love greater than music in his beloved Betty. Their honeymoon lasted 66 years. He also found his calling in music education. After earning musical degrees from Lawrence College in Wisconsin and Northwestern University, Ed began a career showing students how to embrace music and the arts. His teachings and serving as band director for his musical "alma mater" Washington Intermediate was a 25-year highlight that led him to say that he never worked a day in his life because he enjoyed his job so much. Ed founded Washington's pioneering summer band program in 1955. The program continues to thrive today. Ed also served on the Hawaii Youth Symphony board from 1977 to 1982. He retired in 1979, but his impact is everlasting. Washington's students today learn about music in the Edward T. Kanaya Band Room. In retirement, Ed continued to teach music at Highlands Intermediate School. He also enjoyed working out at the Atkinson and Nuuanu YMCAs. Ed's legacy is everywhere in Hawaii's musical education. He co-founded the Oahu Band Directors Association and helped organize the annual Hawaii Music Educators Association Summer Camp. But more than anything, and what made him proudest, were the thousands of students he was able to reach with his love of music and how so many of them went on to teach, instruct, and inspire future generations in Hawaii. Ed had a rich and wonderful life and passed away peacefully in Las Vegas on May 27 while on vacation with his family. Ed is survived by wife Betty, son David (Wendy), daughter Wendy Ichiyama (Jay), daughter-in-law Christa (Gary); grandchildren Lea Wong (Derek), Jenna Kanaya, Kara Ichiyama; great grandson Skyler Wong and many nieces and nephews. In keeping with Ed's wishes, a private funeral service was conducted. Donations in memory of Ed Kanaya can be made to the Hawaii Youth Symphony, 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96826. Condolences may be sent to: Betty Kanaya, P.O. Box 110, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Celebrating the Life of EDWARD TORAO KANAYA August 26, 1923 May 27, 2014 Edward "Ed" Torao Kanaya had a lifelong love for music that began as a teenager at Washington Intermediate School and carried his spirit through the next eight decades of a remarkable life. Ed played the ute and piccolo beautifully. He had the rare distinction of performing with the Army Band overseas, then with the Royal Hawaiian Band and, later, the Honolulu Symphony from 1955-1975. A 1941 McKinley High School graduate, Ed's studies at the University of Hawaii were interrupted by World War II. Determined to prove his loyalty, he served in the Hawaii Territorial Guard, Varsity Victory Volunteers, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After the war, Ed found a love greater than music in his beloved Betty. Their honeymoon lasted 66 years. He also found his calling in music education. After earning musical degrees from Lawrence College in Wisconsin and Northwestern University, Ed began a career showing students how to embrace music and the arts. His teachings and serving as band director for his musical "alma mater" Washington Intermediate was a 25-year highlight that led him to say that he never worked a day in his life because he enjoyed his job so much. Ed founded Washington's pioneering summer band program in 1955. The program continues to thrive today. Ed also served on the Hawaii Youth Symphony board from 1977 to 1982. He retired in 1979, but his impact is everlasting. Washington's students today learn about music in the Edward T. Kanaya Band Room. In retirement, Ed continued to teach music at Highlands Intermediate School. He also enjoyed working out at the Atkinson and Nuuanu YMCAs. Ed's legacy is everywhere in Hawaii's musical education. He co-founded the Oahu Band Directors Association and helped organize the annual Hawaii Music Educators Association Summer Camp. But more than anything, and what made him proudest, were the thousands of students he was able to reach with his love of music and how so many of them went on to teach, instruct, and inspire future generations in Hawaii. Ed had a rich and wonderful life and passed away peacefully in Las Vegas on May 27 while on vacation with his family. Ed is survived by wife Betty, son David (Wendy), daughter Wendy Ichiyama (Jay), daughter-in-law Christa (Gary); grandchildren Lea Wong (Derek), Jenna Kanaya, Kara Ichiyama; great grandson Skyler Wong and many nieces and nephews. In keeping with Ed's wishes, a private funeral service was conducted. Donations in memory of Ed Kanaya can be made to the Hawaii Youth Symphony, 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96826. Condolences may be sent to: Betty Kanaya, P.O. Box 110, Kaneohe, HI 96744Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
