KAMESUKE NAKAMURA / 1902-2002

Okinawa Center donor
dies in Okinawa

Angel Network founder Olson
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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Kamesuke Nakamura played a key role in the construction of the Hawaii Okinawa Center.

Honolulu attorney Ed Kuba, who headed the center's fund-raising committee, said Nakamura challenged committee members to build the cultural center immediately.

"Nothing was done over the years," said Kuba.

Soon after meeting with Nakamura in Okinawa, Kuba and other committee members collaborated to build the center.

Because of Nakamura's tenacity, construction on the center started in 1989 and was completed a year later.

Nakamura, major contributor of the Hawaii Okinawa Center, died on Feb. 26 in Okinawa. He was 99.

Nakamura was born on April 24, 1902, in Naha City. He came to Hawaii in 1919 and opened Beach Home Laundry in Kailua. After World War II, Nakamura returned to Okinawa with his wife, Ayako, and opened Aloha Laundry, where he laundered clothing for the military.

Nakamura was one of the founders of the Hawaii Kenjin Rengo Kai, which helped with the war relief effort in Okinawa.

Nakamura believed the Hawaii Okinawa Center was ideal to perpetuate Okinawa's culture in Hawaii and to serve as bridge between the two islands.

About $9 million was raised in Hawaii and Okinawa to build the cultural center, Kuba said.

Nakamura contributed $150,000 to help build the center, Kuba said.

Other donors followed after Nakamura's contribution.

He was a kind and generous man, Kuba added.

Stanley Takamine, former chairman of the Hawaii Okinawa Bunka Kaikan Committee, said Nakamura was a warm, compassionate person who looked out for the well-being of others.

"He always made sure I was comfortable," said Takamine, who frequently visited Okinawa to help raise funds for the cultural center.

Nakamura is survived by wife Ayako; sons George and David; daughters Joyce Terada, Doris Nakamura, Rachel Tomita and Marion Sue Jueterbock; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Hawaii Okinawa Center at 94-587 Ukee St. in Waipio.