Dr. Shinso “Butch” Kagawa and Jane Fumiko Kagawa
AND JANE FUMIKO KAGAWA Dr. Shinso Kagawa passed away peacefully on June 22, 2018, at the age of 105. Born on December 13, 1912, Shinso attended McKinley High School and graduated in 1930. Nicknamed "Butch" by his classmates at the University of Southern California, Shinso obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1936 and subsequently graduated from USC as an Orthodontist. Returning to Hawaii, Shinso struggled to convince people that teeth could be straightened through Orthodontia as he was the first Orthodontist of Asian ancestry and second Orthodontist in Hawaii. At the age of 42, Kagawa was drafted by the U.S. Army after having been denied as a volunteer for the 442nd Regiment and served for several years as Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army's Dental Corp. Unbeknownst to Shinso, his beloved wife of 69 years, the former Jane Fumiko Murata, passed away on January 11, 2015, one month before her 90th birthday. Born on February 8, 1925, Jane was the first woman of Asian ancestry to lead a big band - the renowned Jayne's Orchestra. Jane and her band supported United States troops by performing in USO shows during World War II in Hawaii and abroad and was later honored by former Senator Spark M. Matsunaga as Personality of the Year after World War II. Butch and Jane's vitality and passion for life have served as an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing them. Former Governor Neil Abercrombie proclaimed December 13, 2012 as Dr. Shinso Kagawa Day and February 8, 2014 as Jane Fumiko Kagawa Day. They are survived by their only daughter, Dr. Kathleen Kagawa and their hanae grandchildren, Gary, Harue, Natsumi and Go. Private funeral services were held at Punchbowl where they are laid to rest in their "Blue Heaven", the theme song that Jane always sang for Butch. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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