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The youngest of the nine children of Zempan and Tsuru Arakawa, Goro Arakawa, 97, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 15, 2019. He was born and raised in Waipahu and graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute. His freshman year at the University of Hawaii was interrupted by WWII, and he volunteered to serve in the Hawaii Territorial National Guard. He later attended and graduated from the New York University, School of Commerce. He married Mary Kadota in New York, and returned home to join "Arakawas", the family department store, as the Manager for Advertising, Credit and Promotions. Goro was Vice-President at its closing in 1995. Goro was active in such organizations as the West Pearl Rotary Club, Waipahu Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Okinawa Genealogical Society of Hawaii and Hawaii United Okinawa Association. In the 1960's, he led an initiative to beautify public spaces in Waipahu and the rest of Oahu with local plants, flowers, and trees. He was also committed to preserving, promoting and perpetuating the history and culture of Waipahu and its Plantation heritage and values for future generations. He worked tirelessly to help create Hawaii's Plantation Village, an outdoor museum depicting life on sugar plantations. Goro shared his knowledge with the Waipahu Community In Schools Program and supported Talk Story Inc., an ethnic resource center. He was a member of the Waipahu United Church of Christ and also attended New Hope. He enjoyed playing the ukulele, singing, dancing, traveling, reading, gardening, watching his grandchildren play sports and UH sports. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, son Lance and daughter-in-law Ronnell. He is survived by children: David Z. (Bertha), John (Lori), Woodrow (Tae), and Lei-Nani Arakawa-Brooke; 14 grandchildren: Erin (Josh Medearis), Galen, Tina, Sean, Ian (Keleni Maile-Tupou), Dana-Jean (Gabriel Montero), Zane (Shay), Quinn (Melody Weatherwax-Makaila), Seth, Bryson (Natasha), Amber, Amy-Lynn (Marc Cepeda), Brittanie (Jon Puyot), Tyler Brooke; and 13 great grandchildren. Goro's life will be Celebrated on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary, Mauka Chapel. Visitation 9:00 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m. Palaka or casual attire. No flowers please.
The youngest of the nine children of Zempan and Tsuru Arakawa, Goro Arakawa, 97, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 15, 2019. He was born and raised in Waipahu and graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute. His freshman year at the University of Hawaii was interrupted by WWII, and he volunteered to serve in the Hawaii Territorial National Guard. He later attended and graduated from the New York University, School of Commerce. He married Mary Kadota in New York, and returned home to join "Arakawas", the family department store, as the Manager for Advertising, Credit and Promotions. Goro was Vice-President at its closing in 1995. Goro was active in such organizations as the West Pearl Rotary Club, Waipahu Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Okinawa Genealogical Society of Hawaii and Hawaii United Okinawa Association. In the 1960's, he led an initiative to beautify public spaces in Waipahu and the rest of Oahu with local plants, flowers, and trees. He was also committed to preserving, promoting and perpetuating the history and culture of Waipahu and its Plantation heritage and values for future generations. He worked tirelessly to help create Hawaii's Plantation Village, an outdoor museum depicting life on sugar plantations. Goro shared his knowledge with the Waipahu Community In Schools Program and supported Talk Story Inc., an ethnic resource center. He was a member of the Waipahu United Church of Christ and also attended New Hope. He enjoyed playing the ukulele, singing, dancing, traveling, reading, gardening, watching his grandchildren play sports and UH sports. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, son Lance and daughter-in-law Ronnell. He is survived by children: David Z. (Bertha), John (Lori), Woodrow (Tae), and Lei-Nani Arakawa-Brooke; 14 grandchildren: Erin (Josh Medearis), Galen, Tina, Sean, Ian (Keleni Maile-Tupou), Dana-Jean (Gabriel Montero), Zane (Shay), Quinn (Melody Weatherwax-Makaila), Seth, Bryson (Natasha), Amber, Amy-Lynn (Marc Cepeda), Brittanie (Jon Puyot), Tyler Brooke; and 13 great grandchildren. Goro's life will be Celebrated on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary, Mauka Chapel. Visitation 9:00 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m. Palaka or casual attire. No flowers please.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
