Lei Yamasaki passed unexpectedly on May 8, 2021. She graduated from Roosevelt High School, earned a B.A. in Zoology (with a Marine Options Program Certificate), and a M.S. degree in Animal Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She received her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in Pamona, CA.During her years as a student, she participated in many programs that led to cherished friendships and future collaborations, including: Hanauma Bay, Oceanic Institute, HDOA Aquaculture Development Program, AquaVet I/II, Los Angeles Zoo, University of Arizona Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory, USGS Honolulu Field Station, USDA APHIS/ Veterinary Services and the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory.
Following graduation, she returned to Hawaii to work at Manoa Technologies, LLC and in 2012 joined the Hawaii Department of Agriculture as the Aquaculture Veterinary Medical Officer. At HDOA, she supervised the Hawaii Shrimp Health Certification Program and provided dedicated diagnostic and regulatory services to support the aquaculture industry that she loved.
She supported education and aquaculture in the community as a Hawaii State Science Fair judge, Technical Committee member of the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, Advisory Subcommittee member on invertebrate and aquatic biota for the State of Hawaii, and many other events with endless energy and a smile that lit up every room.
Lei was a lifetime scholar and never tired of learning new things. Yet she still made time to enjoy the natural beauty of the world by surfing, hiking, fishing, traveling, conservation and animal rescue. Her love of animals was evident in the menagerie of animals she cared for over the years: her beloved Border Collies (Simon and Emma), Mao, Copper, Atsila, Fergusson and countless others.
Lei will be forever remembered and missed by her family (parents, Michael and JoAnn, sister, Ann-Maile, Border Collie, Emma and god-son Colby), uncles, aunties, cousins and dear friends.
Aloha a hui hou, dear Lei, until we meet again.
No formal services.
Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
