Virginia Soy Kwan Kam, 95, of Aina Haina, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii, to the late Ung Bew Chong and Mary Kuluwaimaka Ahuna Chong; the 5th child of a family of 8 children. Virginia graduated in 1945 from Hilo High School. Virginia is preceded in death by her Husband, Edward "Bobby" Kam, son Wayne Edward Kam and siblings Rose Ah Yook Kwan, Henry Ah Leong Chong, Joseph Chong, George Ah Kan Yee Chong, William "Sonny" Chong and Ellen "Darling" Go. Virginia married Edward "Bobby" Kam in 1950, and they resided and raised their family in Aina Haina. Virginia is survived by three children: Robert J. Kam (Charlene) of Colorado, daughters Edean V. Kam (Richard) of Missouri and Lisa S. K. Haina (John) of Honolulu. Her greatest pride and joys were her grandchildren - Daniel Kam-Gordon (Sarah), Brian Kam (Mallory), Tommy Kam, Keoni Haina (Elisa) and Mahina Haina-Yap (Beau). She has 5 great grandchildren - Imogen Kam-Gordon, Elinor Kam-Gordon, Calvin Kam, Caroline Kam, and Lainey Lee Yap. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley "Honeybee" Tanaka, sister-in-law Helen Chong (William) and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia retired in 1990 after 26+ years from Kaiser Permanente Hospital where she was a licensed Optician. She had full responsibility of the Optical Operations in Honolulu, Leeward, Lahaina, Wailuku, Kona, and Kailua Kaiser clinics. One of her proudest achievements was becoming President for the State Board of Opticians of Hawaii from 1981 – 1987. She was described as a natural leader and loved by her employees.
Virginia embraced her Hawaiian heritage. She loved being part of the Star of the Sea Church senior hula group, "Malia 'O Hoku 'O Ke Kai", who competed in many Kupuna Hula Festivals on the Big Island under the direction of Kumu Hula Rose Look. She had been a member of Hale O Na Ali'i, 'Ahahui Po'o, Na Wahine 'O Kamehameha Chapter 1 and Queen Emma Society. Virginia enjoyed travelling and visited many countries throughout Southeast Asia with her husband and daughter Edean. She also loved travelling with her grandchildren to Disneyland and Disneyworld.
A visitation for Virginia will be held Monday, March 7, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, Mauka Chapel, 1330 Maunakea Street, Honolulu. A Celebration of Life program to be presented following the visitation. Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at Star of the Sea Church, 4470 Aliikoa Street, Honolulu. Burial: 11:00 a.m. at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, 45-349 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe.
Arrangements under the direction of Borthwick Mortuary, Honolulu, HI. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Kam family.
