Toshio "Toshi" Kishi's Obituary
Toshio “Toshi” Kishi, age 95 of Ewa Beach, Hawaii passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and caring staff at the Plaza at Pearl City on May 20, 2026. He was born in Lahaina on January 30, 1931, the 7th of eight children, to Eitaro and Toshie Kishi.
Toshi graduated from Lahainaluna High School and Maui Vocational School before being drafted into the Army near the end of the Korean War. When he returned to Maui, Toshi married Yvonne Karimoto. They settled in Lahaina where Toshi was a meat cutter at his family’s cherished market on Front Street. Their two daughters, Iris and Janice were born in Lahaina. When the Kishi market closed in 1972, the family moved to Kahului where Toshi worked at Star Market. After retirement, Toshi could often be found at the Kahului Hongwanji Mission taking care of the landscape, playing tapes at the annual Obon Festival, and learning new songs on his ukulele with the Sing & Strum group. Toshi loved spending time with family and traveling around the United States, Canada and Japan with them. After moving to Oahu, Toshi enjoyed the company of fellow residents and staff at the Plaza at Pearl City, singing along to musical performances and participating in bingo. His enthusiastic voice was always a welcome sound in crowded rooms, especially when he would shout “Bingo!”, sing happy birthday, and react to lively hanafuda games with his grandchildren. He was the center of his family and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Toshi is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Yvonne Karimoto Kishi; two daughters, Iris (Terry) Baucom, Janice Delgado; four grandchildren, Aaron (Eva Mae) Baucom, Jeffrey Baucom, Jessica Delgado, Jason Delgado; and the most recent apple of his eye, his great grandchild, Nora Hiraya Baucom; one surviving sister-in-law, Marian Kishi, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.
The family would like to thank Toshi’s many caregivers at the Plaza, Bayada, Kaiser Permanente, Veteran’s Administration, Pearlridge USRC Dialysis Center, and Hawaii Patient Transport who called him “papa” and treated him like one of their own. The family would also like to send their gratitude towards the many friends and extended family members who brightened Toshi’s day when they visited and talked story during his time at the Plaza.
A memorial service will be held at the Kahului Hongwanji Mission on August 15th at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served following the service. The family requests no Koden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Toshio Kishi’s memory to the Kahului Hongwanji Mission.
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