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Herbert Masanori Tanahara, better known as "Masa" and "Sparrow" to those who grew up with him on Maui and Herb to just about everyone else - one of the "good guys" who enjoyed spending time with his many friends, passed peacefully on Jan. 4 in Honolulu following a brief illness. He was 87. A mason by trade, Herbert was also a loving husband and father, a competitive athlete in his youth, an avid golfer in later years, and a patriot who served eight years in the U.S. Army, two years on active duty in the 9th Quartermaster Co., 9th Infantry Division in West Germany, and then six years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Born in Makawao and raised in Paia, Maui, Herbert was the last of seven children of Kamado and Kame Tanahara. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Steve, George, Bunji and Tom; and sisters Betty Takahashi and Violet Nako. Despite his small stature, Herbert was a competitive athlete, excelling as a surfer and weight lifter. Among his surfing accomplishments, Herbert was the first Maui surfer to enter the inaugural Lanai-to-Maui surfboard paddle race in 1960. A well-known weight lifter on the Valley Isle, Herbert won the Mr. Maui body building contest in 1959. Herbert married Sandra Pascua, also of Maui, in 1966. They lived briefly on Maui and the U.S. mainland before settling in Honolulu. They raised their daughter, Kris, in Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai. Herbert is survived by Sandra, a retired health care manager and teacher, and Kris (Floyd Takeuchi), a Honolulu public relations executive. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 23 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary in Honolulu. Visitation from 2:30 p.m., service begins at 3 p.m. The family requests aloha attire, and invites guests to join them for light refreshments afterwards. A private inurnment service for family will be held on Jan. 24 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
Herbert Masanori Tanahara, better known as "Masa" and "Sparrow" to those who grew up with him on Maui and Herb to just about everyone else - one of the "good guys" who enjoyed spending time with his many friends, passed peacefully on Jan. 4 in Honolulu following a brief illness. He was 87. A mason by trade, Herbert was also a loving husband and father, a competitive athlete in his youth, an avid golfer in later years, and a patriot who served eight years in the U.S. Army, two years on active duty in the 9th Quartermaster Co., 9th Infantry Division in West Germany, and then six years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Born in Makawao and raised in Paia, Maui, Herbert was the last of seven children of Kamado and Kame Tanahara. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Steve, George, Bunji and Tom; and sisters Betty Takahashi and Violet Nako. Despite his small stature, Herbert was a competitive athlete, excelling as a surfer and weight lifter. Among his surfing accomplishments, Herbert was the first Maui surfer to enter the inaugural Lanai-to-Maui surfboard paddle race in 1960. A well-known weight lifter on the Valley Isle, Herbert won the Mr. Maui body building contest in 1959. Herbert married Sandra Pascua, also of Maui, in 1966. They lived briefly on Maui and the U.S. mainland before settling in Honolulu. They raised their daughter, Kris, in Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai. Herbert is survived by Sandra, a retired health care manager and teacher, and Kris (Floyd Takeuchi), a Honolulu public relations executive. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 23 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary in Honolulu. Visitation from 2:30 p.m., service begins at 3 p.m. The family requests aloha attire, and invites guests to join them for light refreshments afterwards. A private inurnment service for family will be held on Jan. 24 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
