A lifelong Hawaii resident who spent more than three decades as an educator and administrator peacefully passed away on January 3, 2018. She was 94. Betty was born on May 29, 1923 in Honolulu. After attending McKinley High School, she graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1945 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and later earned a master's degree in education from Columbia University. Betty believed in the transformative power of education and devoted her life to inspiring others to be lifelong learners. In her long career, she served as principal of Farrington Community School for Adults, taught and led the Business Department of Honolulu Community College, lectured at Kapiolani Community College, taught stenography and typing at Punahou during summer school, and helped found the Honolulu Business College. Later in life, Betty went into private business, after becoming a GIA certified gemologist, obtained her real estate license, and was actively involved with the Hawaii Jewelers Association. Betty was also an avid traveler, and crisscrossed the United States, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, China, Japan, and South America. Her love of meeting people and embracing new challenges allowed her to live a full life. Her final "bucket list" wish was attending the October 2017 wedding of her grandnephew, Brandon Hirata. Betty is survived by her sister Florence Arakaki. She was preceded in death by sister Grace Hiyane and brother Ichiro Harada. Other survivors include nieces Patty Hirata, Paula Wong, Karen Harada, Janice Nogawa (and spouse Ernest) and nephew Jeffrey Takiguchi (Helen), nephew Bruce Hiyane; grandnephews Lane Nogawa (Lureen), Leland Nogawa (Kerri), Brandon Hirata (Dayna), Jason Hirata, and Nathan Wong, and grandniece Anissa Wong. Private services were held at Nuuanu Memorial Jan. 9, 2018. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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