Born May 15, 1924 in Lihue, Kauai, James Tadashi Muneno, Dad, passed away in the early morning of July 2, 2017. He was the son of sugar plantation worker, Takeshige, and housewife, Chiyo. His childhood wasn't easy, compounded by the loss of his mother when he was just 7 years old. Dad would be the first to say he was a rascal growing up, but he persevered. Dad was drafted into the Army on January 13, 1945 and after basic training on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay he was sent to Europe. Dad met Mom, Antje (Ann) Bouckaert, at a dance in her hometown Maastricht, Holland in August of 1948. They married, had a child in London, England and moved to New York City so Dad could attend college at NYU where he earned his engineering degree. Then, with 4 more children in tow, they moved home to Kauai. Dad said despite a tough upbringing by his father, he hoped that his dad was proud of him when he came home with a degree and his family. After moving to Honolulu, they had 2 more children for a total of 7. Dad retired from a career as a civil and structural engineer with the Army Corp of Engineers. Dad loved poker night with his buddies, golf, mangoes, Chinatown, Las Vegas, and building and making things. He was dedicated to being a financial support to his wife and children, being a hard worker, and he cared a great deal about his family. Even though it was Dad's dream to one day sail around the world with all of us, the Muneno family journey gave him the ride of his life. Dad is survived by his daughters Pat Muneno, Ann Muneno, Chiyo Churchill (Charles), Kathy Muneno Thompson (Nainoa); sons Jim Muneno (Charlene), Henry Muneno (Lynn), William Muneno (Cheryl), 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, his sisters Nobue Yasutake and Shinae Sakai (Roy) and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services at Oahu Cemetery and Mortuary Chapel, 2162 Nuuanu Ave at 11:00 am Saturday, July 15, 2017, lunch to follow. Visitation from 10-11. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) www.Hokulea.com/support/donate, or Chinatown Improvement District, P.O. Box 37764, Honolulu, HI 96837, or the Kauai Historical Society http://www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org/ support-khs/ in James' name, would be greatly appreciated.
Born May 15, 1924 in Lihue, Kauai, James Tadashi Muneno, Dad, passed away in the early morning of July 2, 2017. He was the son of sugar plantation worker, Takeshige, and housewife, Chiyo. His childhood wasn't easy, compounded by the loss of his mother when he was just 7 years old. Dad would be the first to say he was a rascal growing up, but he persevered. Dad was drafted into the Army on January 13, 1945 and after basic training on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay he was sent to Europe. Dad met Mom, Antje (Ann) Bouckaert, at a dance in her hometown Maastricht, Holland in August of 1948. They married, had a child in London, England and moved to New York City so Dad could attend college at NYU where he earned his engineering degree. Then, with 4 more children in tow, they moved home to Kauai. Dad said despite a tough upbringing by his father, he hoped that his dad was proud of him when he came home with a degree and his family. After moving to Honolulu, they had 2 more children for a total of 7. Dad retired from a career as a civil and structural engineer with the Army Corp of Engineers. Dad loved poker night with his buddies, golf, mangoes, Chinatown, Las Vegas, and building and making things. He was dedicated to being a financial support to his wife and children, being a hard worker, and he cared a great deal about his family. Even though it was Dad's dream to one day sail around the world with all of us, the Muneno family journey gave him the ride of his life. Dad is survived by his daughters Pat Muneno, Ann Muneno, Chiyo Churchill (Charles), Kathy Muneno Thompson (Nainoa); sons Jim Muneno (Charlene), Henry Muneno (Lynn), William Muneno (Cheryl), 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, his sisters Nobue Yasutake and Shinae Sakai (Roy) and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services at Oahu Cemetery and Mortuary Chapel, 2162 Nuuanu Ave at 11:00 am Saturday, July 15, 2017, lunch to follow. Visitation from 10-11. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) www.Hokulea.com/support/donate, or Chinatown Improvement District, P.O. Box 37764, Honolulu, HI 96837, or the Kauai Historical Society http://www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org/ support-khs/ in James' name, would be greatly appreciated.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
