Coach trained isle kids
to swim in Olympics

By Kulani Mahikoa Star-Bulletin

Soichi Sakamoto, the famous swim coach who inspired ordinary Hawaii children to become Olympic champions, died last Saturday at the age of 91.

“Olympics first, Olympics always,” was Sakamoto’s rallying motto, which, according to one of his former students, he first used when he formed the “Three Year Swim” Club in Puunene, Maui, in 1937.

John Tsukano, now 72, a charter member of the club, said Sakamoto asked members to sign a contract in which they agreed to stay in the club for three years.

Club members also could not drink, smoke or have serious romantic involvements. “Everything was for the Olympics,” Tsukano said.

“We were just kids from the plantation, but he made us believe that we could succeed.”

And they did. Some of the best swimmers in Hawaii were coached by Sakamoto, including Olympic gold and silver medalists Bill Woolsey and Ford Konno, gold medalist Bill Smith and bronze medalist Evelyn Kawamoto Konno.

Sakamoto also trained many national swim champions, including Keo Nakama, Jose Balmores, Bunmei Nakama, Halo Hirose and Ivanelle Hoe.

He had the ability to spot talent and see their future, said Woolsey, winner at the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics. For Woolsey, Sakamoto was a “counselor, a psychologist, a father (figure),” and more.

Woolsey was 15 when he started training with Sakamoto and just 17 when he won his first Olympic medal. Every Sunday, Woolsey said, the “coach” would spend individual time with each of his swimmers. “He would counsel us about our education, our families, swimming and our lives,” Woolsey said.

Hirose, another member of the club, credits Sakamoto for an innovative breast stroke, a kicking machine and the flip turn free-style swimmers use today.

Friends said Sakamoto switched from coaching track and field to swimming because he saw its potential. He coached at the University of Hawaii from 1945 to 1961.

Sakamoto, who according to his friends was not a good swimmer himself, was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Hawaii swimmers hold an annual meet on Maui in his honor.

He is survived by sons Raymond and Donald, daughters Jancie Lam and Rene Takata, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at Nuuanu Mortuary at 11 a.m. Thursday; visitation is 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The family will hold a private burial.

Mary K. Arakawa, 72, of Waipahu died July 25 in UCLA Hospital, Westwood, Calif. Born in West Los Angeles, she is survived by husband Goro; sons David, John, Lance and Woody; daughter Lei-Nani; sister Kazuko “Kazi” Kadota; and 12 grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Private burial. Casual attire. No flowers.

Marlene A. Awaya, 40, of Waialua, an employee of Haleiwa Texaco and First Hawaiian Bank, Haleiwa branch, died Tuesday in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Ronald A.; son Kelvin T.; daughters Glory Ann, Shelly May and Nicole Maree; brothers Phil, Lyle, George and Pedro Rosales; sisters Doreen Gurtiza, Collette Pettit and Patricia Damas; grandmother Rita Propios; and a grandson. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Julia Chircchiu, 87, of Honolulu died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Pennsylvania, she is survived by daughter Kathryn Weldon; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services.

Kazuko Kimura, 65, of Honolulu died Monday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Wahiawa, she is survived by brother Masamitsu. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at Borthwick Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Albert T. Lau, 85, of Honolulu, the proprietor of Alexander Grocery, died Tuesday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Esther L.; sons Michael and Richard; daughter Linda Teruya; brother Raymond; sisters Alice Olson and Emma Tom; and six grandchildren. Private services.

Ronald W. Lewis, 57, of Honolulu, a resident manager, died Sunday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Springfield, Ill., he is survived by wife Earldene L.; sons Ronald L., Michael E. and Timothy J.; mother Mildred J.; brother Lee M.; sisters Esther Mayer and Patricia Popovich; and four grandchildren. Memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary, 20 S. Kukui St. Call after 9:30 a.m. Casual attire.

Shige Matsuzaki, 94, of Hanamaulu, Kauai died last Saturday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Aiea, she is survived by sons George, Sumisu, Alan and Darryl; daughters Kisara Taniguchi and Nancy Akamine; sisters Ichiko Yoshida and Sugiko Tada; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Private services.

Nicholas L. “1339-First Aid” “Uncle Nicky” Mero, 58, of Waimanalo, a retired mechanics helper at Navy Exchange Center, died Wednesday in Castle Hospital. He is survived by brothers Valentino K. and Steven P.; sisters Julia Souza and Winifred Ohumukini; and sister-in-law and caregiver Roberta Ann. Services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. George Catholic Church. Call after 5 p.m. Services over ashes: 10 a.m. next Saturday at 41-012 Wailea St., Waimanalo. Scattering of ashes to follow. Aloha attire. Leis welcome.

Violet M. Nakamoto, 88, of Hilo died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Keaau, Hawaii, she is survived by son Donald; daughters Ruth Hirayama and Janet Oda; brothers Masanori and Richard Imai; sister Masayo Sato; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hilo Meishoin Mission, Olona Street. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire.

Hayami Nii of Aiea, who died Wednesday at home, is also survived by daughter Marian K. Toguchi. Incorrect information for an obituary yesterday was provided by the mortuary.

Stanley C. Oshiro, 73, of Hilo died July 29 in Hilo Hospital. Born in Honoipu, Hawaii, he is survived by son Stanton; daughter Robin K.; brother Fred C.; sisters Dorothy Shimabuku, Grace Cambell, Jessie Oshiro, Peggy Osumi, Rose Kawata and Beverly T. Pestano; and two grandchildren. Private services.

Alvin F. Perry, 82, of Gulfshores, Ala., who was born in Honolulu, died July 25 in Alabama. He is survived by wife Maxine; and sisters Irene Miller and Lily Perry. Services held.

Betty P.T. Shafer, 82, of Lahaina and formerly of Aiea died Tuesday in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in American Samoa, she is survived by sons Benjamin, Iike “Ike” and Samatua “Sam”; daughters Rini T. Ahia, Marie S. Pico, Cecilia Beirne, Violet Dilauro, Dianne M. Toolamatai, Gail C. Cahill, Malia Slusher and Margaret Arikaki; sister Tosi Pulu; 50 grandchildren; and 80 great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Cemetery. Casual attire.

Chii Shiraki, 98, of Aiea died July 27 at home. Born in Yamaguchi, Japan, she is survived by sons Toshio and Tatsuo; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Private services.

Nancy S. Sutterfield, 78, of Kaneohe, a retired state librarian, died July 30 at home. She was also a former stage actress, professional ballroom dancer and dance teacher. Born in Detroit, she is survived by sons Bob, Tim, Mark and Alan; and daughter Susan; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. No services. Celebration at a later date.

Kawayo Taketa, 92, of Hanalei, Kauai, a janitress with Waioli Mission Museum, died July 30 in Kauai Care Center. Born in Hanalei, she is survived by brother-in-law Masato Sugihara; and sister-in-law Yae Sasaki. Private services.

Hilda A. Tozer, 78, of Pahoa, Hawaii died Monday at home. Born in Hilo, she is survived by son Patrick J. Richardson; daughters Arlene Florendo, Veronica Richardson and Kathy Hanohano; brothers John Jr. and Henry Aguiar; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Call from 5 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. No flowers.

Dorothy H. Tyrrell, 87, of Honolulu, a real estate developer, died Thursday. She developed Napali Gardens and other apartment projects on Nuuanu Avenue. Born in San Anselmo, Calif., she is survived by daughters Sharie Christensen and Sally Lyles; and four grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Tuesday at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Ave.

Ted S. “Suppa” Watanabe, 70, of Honolulu, a chiropractor and owner of McCully Chiropractic Center, died July 29 in St. Francis Hospice. Born in Ewa, he is survived by wife Gladys S.; son William K.; daughter Sandra M.; brothers Robert Watanabe and Shoichi Suzuki; and five grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Ellen H. Yoshida, 84, of Waipahu, a retiree of Clothing Sales Store, Hickam Air Force Base, died Sunday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, she is survived by son Roy T.; daughter Judith H. Hayashida; brother Masao Shibata; and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 6 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

---

Monday, August 11, 1997

Kikue Arita, 100, of Hilo, died Tuesday at Hilo Hospital. She was born in Kamamoto Ken, Japan. She is survived by daughter Hatsune Fukuchi; daughters-in-law Mildred and Yoshiko; sister-in-law Eleanor; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren. Private services.

Veronica Gabuat Garabiles, 78, of Waipahu, died July 26 at St. Francis Medical Center West. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by husband Lazaro; sons Jose, Dom, Lito and Fred; daughters Nieves Galapate, Maria Taligatos, Celia Galdonez and Nida Centeno; brothers Bernardo, Jose and Ben Gabuat; sisters Telesfora Gamueda and Lolita Galvez; 22 grandchildren; a great-grandchild. Mass: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Theresa Co-Cathedral. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Sugi Go, 97, of Wailuki, Maui, died Friday at Wailuku Hale Makua. She was born in Kumamoto, Japan. She is survived by sons Yasuo and Stanley; daughters Fumie Yoshimura, Masue Okumura and Sumie Kinoshita; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. Services over the ashes: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Kahului Hongwanji Mission. Casual attire. No flowers.

James Wah Lau, 82, of Honolulu, the owner of the former Hawaii Supermarket, died last Monday at Maunalani Nursing Center. He was born in Canton, China. He is survived by wife Aileen K.H.; sons Richard M.G. and William M.Y.; daughter Donna L. Kusunoki; brothers Thomas W.B. and Raymond W.H.; 9 grandchildren. Services were private.

Tamotsu “Tom” Miyoken, 80, of Lahaina, Maui, died Friday at Kula Hospital. He was born in Haiku. He was the retired supervisor at Maui Soda & Ice Works. He was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Battalion. He is survived by wife Annette Yoshiko and sons Curtis and Randy. Services: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Nakamura Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Thomas Tadayuki Nishida, 88, of Honolulu, died July 30 at Maunalani Nursing Center. He was born in Hanapepe, Kauai. He was a retired self-employed architect. Survived by wife Mary Yaeno; daughters Avis Hisayo Nakamoto and Koren Yukiko Ihara; brother Toshiyuki Nishida, and sisters Urako Beppu, Shizuko Kano, Kiyona Goto and Misayo Hayashi. Services were private.

Roland Diaz Sagum, 85, of Honolulu died Thursday at Kuakini Medical Center. He was bornin the Philippines. He was a former police major and member of the Police Commission. He is survived by son Nelson A.; daughters Ginger Sargent and Catherine Alo; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Services over the ashes: 5 p.m. Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 4 p.m. Inurnment: 8:30 a.m. next Monday at Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Kenshi Tomomitsu, 74, of Honolulu died Friday at Kuakini Medical Center. He was born in Waimea, Kauai. He was a retired mail expeditor and a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He is survived by wife Jane Chizuko; son Dr. Eliot Nobuo; daughters Charin Teiko, Julie Kiwa, Katie Aiko Shigemitsu ad Nellie Chiye Sugii; brother Jitsuo Tomomitsu; sister Sally Ann Iwata; 6 grandchildren. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.

Jayson T. Wong, 37, of Waipahu died Wednesday in Honolulu. He was a deputy sheriff for the state. He is survived by wife Beth Naomi; sons Jordan K.S., Jaron K.K. and Jansen K.K.; stepfather Clarence P. Lewis; mother Mary Anne Lewis; brothers Patrick M. Wong-Lewis and Christopher S. Lewis, and sister Coryne L. Collinsworth. Services: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.