Denice V.U. Hanson, 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Waipahu with family by her side on January 12, 2021. She is survived by her husband, James A.; son, Anthony "Kealii" Cabrera, daughter, Candice I. (Owen) Fujiwara; 6 grandchildren; siblings: Raylene Puahi and Guy "Tiga" Koanui and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her loving parents; Samuel K. and Florence I. Koanui and beloved sister, Troy "Sweetie" Camacho.Born in Honolulu on March 31, 1950, she grew up in Kalihi Kai and is a proud graduate of Farrington High School. Denice spent her youth learning and playing volleyball with her father and visiting her grandmother Helen Kaina at her beach house in Punalu'u. Denice's career started in retail sales at Liberty House and moved to clerical work with auto insurance, a mortgage loan processer and loan underwriter and she was part owner and Principal Broker of Aloha Mortgage and Finance LTD. In recent years she worked for the City & County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, Collection Maintenance Services Branch, from where she recently retired.
After the birth of her children, Denice began her competitive canoe paddling career. She joined numerous clubs before being one of the co-founders of Lauho'e Canoe Club. Soon after, Denice decided to fulfill her passion in the sport of volleyball where she began her coaching career as the varsity girls head coach at her alma mater, Farrington High School. She was also a player for numerous adult volleyball teams and lastly a volleyball referee official. Denice officiated volleyball on every level, from league play, USAV Club, NFHS high school, collegiate volleyball that included Division I with WAC and Big West Conferences, Division II West Coast Region and was part of the officiating crew when FIVB Women World Grand Prix came to Honolulu. Three of Denice's biggest accomplishments was her earning both her USAV Junior National and National Officials Certifications. Being asked to travel out of state to officiate WAC Conference volleyball matches in California and her passion each year to teach the rules of the game of volleyball and volleyball scorekeeping especially to both the high school and USA Jr volleyball programs.
Denice's pride and joy has always been her family; her husband Jim who has always been by her side, her children and especially her grandchildren who have always been the light in her eyes.
She has always enjoyed life to the fullest and really gave her entire heart in everything she did. Denice had a compassionate heart and unconditional love for all those that came into her life. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Join us in Celebrating her Life with a Drive-Thru Memorial Visitation on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park Chapel in Kaneohe. Enter from Hawaiian Memorial Park North entrance road on Kamehameha Hwy just past their main entrance. In lieu of flowers, lei will be welcomed and will be draped near Denice's urn.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/
kaneohe-hi/denice-hanson-9998309 for the Hanson family.
A private service of Denice's interment to be held at a later date.
FACIAL COVERING IS REQUIRED.
SHOW YOUR ALOHA BY PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING
