Lillian Emiko Nawahine Noda Yajima, age 102, of Honolulu, danced her way to heaven on October 25, 2022. Lillian was born in Honolulu on July 18, 1920, to Steere and Alice Noda. She grew up in the Pu`unui neighborhood below Nu`uanu valley with three older siblings, Steere Jr., Edna and Richard. Lillian attended Hanahau`oli School, Roosevelt High School, and the University of Hawai`i at Manoa where she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. She later earned a 5th-year certificate in elementary education and began a rewarding 30-year teaching career with the Hawai`i State Department of Education.In high school, Lillian was swept off her feet by Tad Yajima and the sweethearts married in 1943. Tad soon left Hawaii for Military Intelligence Service training in Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. Determined to see him before his assignment to interpret at the War Crimes Trials in the Philippines, Lillian met Tad in Minneapolis where she performed the hula for servicemen as a USO volunteer.
Lillian became involved in the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce's first Cherry Blossom Festival in 1953 to assist Tad, who was active in the organization. For 70 years, she supported the Festival in countless ways, including recruiting contestants, producing a Kabuki play, sewing feathers on a Queen's cape, and teaching the contestants origami and manju-making. Lillian cherished every opportunity to teach aspects of Japanese culture to the community and helped found the Sakura Hawaii Alumnae - a community service organization whose members are former CBF contestants.
Lillian's reach in the community spanned well beyond the CBF. She served on the Board of Hanahau`oli School, and as president of the Japanese Women's Society of Hawaii. Through JWS she established programs for the residents of Hale Pulama Mau care home. These programs included Friendship Teas, Birthday Angels, and her favorite "Adopt a Mom" held annually on the Sunday after Mother's Day, honoring all residents who didn't have children or whose children lived far away. Lillian also taught hula to JWS members so they could perform at care home events. She led the effort to create the award-winning book "Kokoro, Cherished Japanese Traditions in Hawaii," proceeds of which fund a JWS Foundation scholarship at UH Manoa. She was an advisor to Wakabakai Sorority and encouraged them to form an alumni association and start a UH scholarship for students of Japanese studies. Lillian supported numerous other community organizations including Kumamoto and Fukuoka Kenjinkai, Asahi Baseball, Shufu Society, United Japanese Society, Japanese Cultural Center, Japan-America Society and MIS Veterans Club of Hawaii.
Among Lillian's many recognitions are the Kunsho (Imperial Decoration) from the Japanese government, the Honpa Hongwanji's Living Treasures of Hawai`i Award, and "Honoree" at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai`i's Spirit of Aloha gala in June, 2022.
Lillian proclaimed 2022 as "...the best year ever!" having attended numerous social events, including birthday celebrations in her honor where she performed the hula. She kept active by going on neighborhood walks with her grandchildren, and Alice, her caregiver, dining out with friends and family, and going shopping. She was remarkably healthy and credited her longevity to hula discipline, volunteerism, and her "sweet-tooth."
Lillian is now reunited with beloved Tad. She is survived by son, Tyler, daughter, Lenny; five grandchildren: Lara (David) Siu, Liane (Keith) Usher, Tiffany (Marc) Sabate, Davey Andrew, and Kimi Andrew; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27th, 11:30 am-12:30 pm at Harris United Methodist Church A celebration of life is planned for Spring of 2023.
In lieu of flowers or koden, please consider a gift to the University of Hawai`i. Memorial donations may be given to the UH Foundation Tad and Lillian Yajima Memorial Fund (online at https://www.uhfoundation.org/TLYajima or via mail with checks payable to UH Foundation, P.O. Box 11270 Honolulu, HI 96828, noting "TLYajima Fund" on the check). Your gift will help to perpetuate Tad and Lillian's love for Japanese culture, volunteerism, and the Aloha spirit.
Masks required by venue. Aloha attire.
Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary
