85, passed away on January 26, 2017. She was a special person and meant the world to her husband of 50 years, "Dusty" (who predeceased her in 2012) and her surviving family: daughter Shelley (Al) Perez; son Jeff (Gale) Eckerd; half-daughter Wendy Eckerd; four grandchildren (Scott, Erin, Laura and Megan); and brothers Shigeru and Kazuo Uechi. Aiko was born in Waimea, Kauai, on July 25, 1931, to Machiju and Kame Uechi and grew up in the sugar plantation town of Kekaha. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor's degree in English and went on to receive her Master of Education degree from the prestigious George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee. She returned home to begin her teaching career at Ewa Elementary School, eventually retiring as principal of Haleiwa Elementary after 30+ years of service. Although retired, her love for education drove her to volunteer for many more years at the Parent-Community Networking Center at Mililani Waena Elementary. Aiko was a devout member of the Mililani Baptist Church where she developed many special relationships. She also loved mission work and was involved in starting four churches on Oahu: Palisades Baptist, Mililani Baptist, Waipio Gentry Baptist, and Cornerstone Mission. Private services were held on March 11, 2017. Arrangements Provided By: HOSOI GARDEN MORTUARY
85, passed away on January 26, 2017. She was a special person and meant the world to her husband of 50 years, "Dusty" (who predeceased her in 2012) and her surviving family: daughter Shelley (Al) Perez; son Jeff (Gale) Eckerd; half-daughter Wendy Eckerd; four grandchildren (Scott, Erin, Laura and Megan); and brothers Shigeru and Kazuo Uechi. Aiko was born in Waimea, Kauai, on July 25, 1931, to Machiju and Kame Uechi and grew up in the sugar plantation town of Kekaha. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor's degree in English and went on to receive her Master of Education degree from the prestigious George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee. She returned home to begin her teaching career at Ewa Elementary School, eventually retiring as principal of Haleiwa Elementary after 30+ years of service. Although retired, her love for education drove her to volunteer for many more years at the Parent-Community Networking Center at Mililani Waena Elementary. Aiko was a devout member of the Mililani Baptist Church where she developed many special relationships. She also loved mission work and was involved in starting four churches on Oahu: Palisades Baptist, Mililani Baptist, Waipio Gentry Baptist, and Cornerstone Mission. Private services were held on March 11, 2017. Arrangements Provided By: HOSOI GARDEN MORTUARY
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
