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On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, Walter Kenji Tonai, loving husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, grand-uncle, teacher, and friend, passed away at age 88 of natural causes. Born Nov. 11, 1931 in Honolulu to Kenzo Tonai and Shizuyo Ohara, Walter grew up on Republican Street in Kalihi and with his grand- parents in Nuuanu. He graduated from Farrington High School in 1949 and joined the army where he was a medic in the Korean War. Upon returning to Hawaii, he majored in education at the University of Hawaii. It was at UH that Walter met and married Chieko Sewake.After graduating from UH, Walter began his teaching career at Kohala High & Elementary. He returned to Oahu where he taught at Waipahu Elementary School and then at Kawailoa School until the school's closure in the 1960s. He followed the administrator route and was school principal at Solomon Elementary and Kaala Elementary Schools. Upon retiring from the DOE, Walter went to work for the City and County of Honolulu as an assistant parks director.
Walter will be remembered as a generous, fun-loving man with an easy laugh. As a member of the Waialua Lions Club for over 50 years, community service was in his blood. Throughout the years, Walter was past trustee for the Waialua Community Association, past member of the North Shore Neighborhood Board and Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Democratic Party precinct chairman, and Haleiwa Shingon Mission board member. He was known for making chicken hekka, which he did every year for senior citizens in Waialua/Haleiwa, building bus stops, painting over graffiti, holding signs for his favorite political candidates, and honoring area veterans who gave their lives in past wars.
Walter was predeceased by his parents and sister, Betty "B" Park. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Chieko, children Terri (Chadd) Hunting of San Clemente, CA, Glenn (Lori), and Rowena (James) Estores, and grandchildren Travis, Amanda, and Pono Estores and Erika Hunting and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Private services to be held. The family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
