100, passed away on September 13, 2022 under the care of Malama Ola Hospice. She was born on February 24, 1922 in Hilo to Sukeichiro and Saya Hironaka Minaai. She graduated from Hilo High School in 1940 and began working as a preschool teacher for Hilo Hongwanji. When WW II closed the school, she was hired as a clerk at the Army PX located at the Hilo Armory. She was employed there until she got married to Richard M. Fujie and moved to Lanai. Ella worked for the Dole Pineapple Plantation office as a secretary until the birth of her daughter.She and Richard moved back to Hilo in 1945 and raised their family at the Wainaku Jodo Mission Temple. They were laypersons and caretakers for over 50 years until the temple was closed.
Richard opened a service station on Kinoole and Waianuenue and Ella became a gas attendant by default when the workers didn't show up. She was one of the first women to pump gas, until another job opportunity arose. A side job Ella had was printing diplomas for Hilo High School and many other high schools on Hawaii island as well other islands. She was a self-taught calligrapher from her junior year of high school and printed diplomas for 50 years. She also donated her time to many non-profit agencies printing certificates and making posters for them. Ella went to work for Uncle Billy Kimi at the Hilo Bay Hotel as head cashier working alongside Mrs. Kimi. Along the way, Ella made flower arrangements for the hotel and the dining room lobby using many flowers from her yard. Through the decades, she slowly transitioned to doing the flowers and greeting guests from all over the world. She was given the title "Ambassador of Aloha" since she befriended many of the guests, especially the yearly visitors to the Merrie Monarch and the "snow birds" who vacationed yearly during the winter months. She worked there until the hotel was shut down (she was 95 yrs old). Ella also helped at her nephew's restaurant, The Seaside Restaurant, working daily with her two sisters preparing salads and folding the linen.
Ella was recently highlighted on PBS's "Home is Here" for being 100 years old, and featured on NHK's History Channel on December 8, 2021 (First POW of WW II) where she was interviewed to give insight to the man, Bishop Nago, who had a great influence on the POW. The local chapter of Rosie the Riveter also recognized her at the recent open house held at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. She was also an artist, lei maker, created arts and crafts utilizing recycled products, and flower arranger.
Ella was predeceased by her husband Richard M. Fujie, son Maurice Fujie and siblings (Fusae Nakakura, Tadasuke Minaai, Sadako Minaai, Walter Minaai and Ellen Nakagawa). She is survived by her children, Iris (Pat) Nitta, Maui; Clayton (Gwen) Fujie, Christine (Dr. Dwight) Inouye, Dr. Richard (Donna) Fujie and Andrea Weymouth-Fujie (Maurice, deceased), Hawi. Grandchildren, Trisha (Mark) Roy, Maui, Lt.Col. Kimberly Inouye (Nate Griffin), Janelle (Richard) Torres, Ryan (Karyn Okada) Inouye, Jodie (Bradley) Shinagawa and Tyler Fujie. Also, fourteen great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Clara Ichiyama and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki Street. Visitation will be at 4:00 p.m.and services at 5:00p.m. No flowers please. Please wear a mask.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
