JOHN YOSHIKAWA / GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMP
John Yoshikawa, a Nanakuli pig farmer and part-owner of a food recycling company, died Nov. 29 in Queen's Medical Center from head injuries sustained in an apparent accident at his business, his sister said. Former boxer dies of injuries
from farming accident
See also: Obituaries
Star-Bulletin staff
Yoshikawa, 39, was also state Golden Gloves boxing champion in 1984, said Elisa Repolio.
While boxing, Yoshikawa worked at a feed store and then went on to start his own feed store business, Repolio said. He started raising pigs and helped start Eco-Feed Inc., a company that recycles commercial food waste from hotels and restaurants and turns it into pig food.
"He was just really good friends with everyone and all the farmers," Repolio said.
"He used to write to newspapers about how Hawaii residents should buy local produce and support the farmers," she said.
Workers found Yoshikawa unconscious on Nov. 24. Repolio said it appears a bin fell from a forklift and hit his head. He never regained consciousness.
Repolio said her brother loved holidays and would cook turkeys or a pig in an imu every Thanksgiving and give the food away to friends and relatives.
Services are scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Makakilo. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Memorial Park.
In addition to Repolio, Yoshikawa is survived by wife Gina; sons John P., Damon and Cyrus Yoshikawa, and Alvin Collelo; daughters Angelina Yoshikawa and Shanalle Collelo; parents Clarence and Elizabeth; and brothers Matthew and Patrick.
