Emiko Kubota Sugino, 89, passed away in Honolulu after a brief illness on February 21, 2020. She was born in Koloa Kauai, in 1930 to Gi'ichi and Kiyono Nakashima Kubota. Emiko was the only daughter and the last surviving sibling of four brothers--Hiroshi, Mitsuru, Henry and Shiro Kubota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Yoshio Sugino, and is survived by her daughter Pauline, and sons Michael (Janet) and Mark (Kimeece), four grandchildren --Kathryn (Philip) Doughty, Amanda (Scott) Schwarzwalder, Christopher, Allison--and three great-grandchildren.
Emiko attended Ele'ele Elementary School, Waimea High School (Valedictorian, Class of 1948) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She earned a B.Ed. in Secondary Education, Math/Science, and a Fifth Year Certificate. Her 40-year career in education began as a teacher and administrator at Radford High School, followed by many years as an administrator and Director of Personnel at the Hawaii State Department of Education. After retirement she worked for then Senator Carol Fukunaga at the Hawaii State Senate.
A generous and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Emiko enjoyed sewing, crafts, travel and playing cards with friends and relatives. She dedicated many years to her community as a member of Japanese Women's Society Foundation (President 2002-2003), Hawaii Schools Federal Credit Union (Board of Directors), American Business Women's Association, and Ala Moana Lions Club.
Her last years were happy ones filled with loving family, friends, fellow residents and caregivers at Manoa Senior Care (House B) and her favorite views of flowers, mountains and rainbows. She will be greatly missed by all.
A private inurnment ceremony was recently held at Nu'uanu Memorial Park & Mortuary and a memorial service will be held at a future date.
Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
