Setsuko Arai, 89, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2019 with her family by her side. She was born in Osaka, Japan on March 25, 1930 to Tsuru and Masakado Taira. Setsuko grew up in Osaka during World War II and moved to Okinawa after the war at age 17. There, she worked on the Air Force base and spent a few years working for American families, helping care for their children and learning about the English language and American culture. At age 24, Setsuko began working as a secretary for a law firm, where she worked until she decided she wanted to explore the world beyond Japan. She applied and was accepted into the Hawaii Business College and arrived in Hawaii at the age of 32, not knowing a single person. Setsuko met her husband, Herbert Arai, through her landlord, who also knew Herbert and treated him like a son, and on August 29, 1964, they were married at Pohai Nani in Kaneohe. A year later, they welcomed their daughter Sandi. Setsuko worked hard to ensure her daughter received a good education and cultivated her musical skills through piano and violin lessons. Setsuko worked at the Main Branch of Central Pacific Bank for over 22 years and retired in 1992. She enjoyed oil painting and was an accomplished artist. She also loved traveling, attending classical music performances and operas, and spending time with her grandchildren. Setsuko is survived by her husband, Herbert Arai; daughter, Sandi Karrmann; son-in-law Steve Karrmann; and grandchildren Steven, Nicole and Taylor Karrmann. She was preceded in death by her father, Masakado Taira, mother, Tsuru Taira, sisters Nae Uraguchi and Koto China and brother Masahiro Taira. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 11:00am at Hawaiian Memorial Park, 45-425 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744. Immediately following the service, guests are invited to enjoy a showing of some of Setsuko's many beautiful oil paintings. Casual attire is welcomed. "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us." ~ Helen Keller We love you Setsuko / Sets / Mom / Obaachan You will remain in our hearts forever
Setsuko Arai, 89, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2019 with her family by her side. She was born in Osaka, Japan on March 25, 1930 to Tsuru and Masakado Taira. Setsuko grew up in Osaka during World War II and moved to Okinawa after the war at age 17. There, she worked on the Air Force base and spent a few years working for American families, helping care for their children and learning about the English language and American culture. At age 24, Setsuko began working as a secretary for a law firm, where she worked until she decided she wanted to explore the world beyond Japan. She applied and was accepted into the Hawaii Business College and arrived in Hawaii at the age of 32, not knowing a single person. Setsuko met her husband, Herbert Arai, through her landlord, who also knew Herbert and treated him like a son, and on August 29, 1964, they were married at Pohai Nani in Kaneohe. A year later, they welcomed their daughter Sandi. Setsuko worked hard to ensure her daughter received a good education and cultivated her musical skills through piano and violin lessons. Setsuko worked at the Main Branch of Central Pacific Bank for over 22 years and retired in 1992. She enjoyed oil painting and was an accomplished artist. She also loved traveling, attending classical music performances and operas, and spending time with her grandchildren. Setsuko is survived by her husband, Herbert Arai; daughter, Sandi Karrmann; son-in-law Steve Karrmann; and grandchildren Steven, Nicole and Taylor Karrmann. She was preceded in death by her father, Masakado Taira, mother, Tsuru Taira, sisters Nae Uraguchi and Koto China and brother Masahiro Taira. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 11:00am at Hawaiian Memorial Park, 45-425 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744. Immediately following the service, guests are invited to enjoy a showing of some of Setsuko's many beautiful oil paintings. Casual attire is welcomed. "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us." ~ Helen Keller We love you Setsuko / Sets / Mom / Obaachan You will remain in our hearts forever
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
