Fernando "Nando" Castro's Obituary
Fernando Castro, aka “Nando,” was a man whose mind was razor-sharp, cataloging everything in precise detail with near-perfect recall, and his willpower was ironclad.
If there was anyone who embodied the idea of “mind over matter,” it was him.
Nando was born on August 28, 1945, in Mountain View, Hawaii. He was the son of Pedro and Irene Castro, and the youngest of 13 children. He grew up during the plantation days and spent much of his youth working and playing in plantation camps and fields. He would often talk about his adventures on the shores and in the forests of Big Island, where the land would provide a bounty of food for the family. After graduating from Hilo High School, he and a handful of his siblings moved to Oahu, Hawaii.
He would enlist and serve in the Hawaii State Army National Guard for over 5 years, including 2 years on active duty, after which he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. While serving in the Guard, he worked at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. He steadily climbed the ranks from laborer to machinist, to inspector, to nuclear inspector, and then retired as a Production Planner after 41 years and 3 months at the Shipyard. During his time as a machinist, he worked under the guidance of his future father-in-law, who eventually set Nando up on a date with his daughter, which marked the start of a 55-year marriage. In retirement, he spent much of his time working on various projects around the house, attending his grandchildren’s events, and attending his wife's hula competitions.
Those who knew Nando knew:
• His prized possession before getting married was his 1955 Ford T-bird, which was red with a white removable hardtop.
• He was a hard worker but would somehow always find time to keep a pristine yard and attend his children’s school and sports functions.
• He often showed his love through his acts of service and gift-giving.
• His favorite treats in his later years were Life Savers, coffee candy, and juice, which kept him going (according to him).
Nando peacefully passed away at home in Kaneohe, surrounded by family, on May 1, 2026, at 8:28 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Marilani Castro; his sons Shannon, Anthony, and Kalani Castro; and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his last remaining sibling, Maggie.
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