Shirley Iha, a resident of Lihue, passed away on November 2, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lihue on November 9, 1940.Shirley attended Lihue Grammar School, Kauai High School, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and a fifth-year teaching certificate. She taught for two years in California. She then returned to Hawaii and helped open Palisades Elementary School.
When she moved back to Kauai in 1970, she was a stay-at-home mom. She was busy raising her two sons, Douglas and Derek, shuttling them to swim, pop warner football, little league baseball, tennis, basketball, music lessons, and church events.
Later, she returned to elementary education at Wilcox School, serving as a speech therapy tutor. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Eta Chapter, and the Kauai Retired Teachers Association. She looked forward to monthly breakfasts with a group of retired Wilcox School teachers called the "Breakfast Club." After retirement, she served on the board of Waioli Corporation/Grove Farm Homestead.
Shirley's passion for music fueled her lifelong love of sharing music with others. Shirley first took piano lessons in grade school. She served as an accompanist in two children's choirs–Kalihi Union Church and Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ. Shirley taught piano to more than 100 children over more than 35 years. She joined the alto section of the Kauai Chorale and served as President and a board member at different times during her more than 40 years.
She also used her musical gift at her beloved church home, Lihue Christian Church. She served as a volunteer organist and pianist for more than 40 years, providing musical accompaniment for worship services, the church choir, the worship team, marriages, funerals, and islandwide gatherings. She enjoyed hosting the small group ministry at her home.
Throughout Shirley's long and blessed life, her love of family, music, Jesus, and Lihue Christian Church never dimmed. She shared her light with many.
She was preceded in her death by her parents, Masayuki and Tamie Higashi, and a daughter who died at birth.
She is survived by her husband, David, and her two sons, Douglas (Michelle) Iha of Peoria, Illinois, and Derek (Sarah) Iha of Lihue, Hawaii; grandchildren: Ben Mills, Lucas Mills Iha, Ethan Iha, and Hailey Iha; great-grandchildren: Jameson and Raphael Mills; her sister Elaine (Spencer-dec.) Tada and her brother Michael Higashi.
Services will be held at Lihue Christian Church on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Visitation: 10:00 a.m.; Service: 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers and koden, donations may be made to Lihue Christian Church, Kauai Chorale, or the David and Shirley Iha Scholarship Fund at Kauai Community College.
