Wayne Yukio Sakamoto

Wayne Yukio Sakamoto passed away on Monday, June 13th 2016. Wayne is survived by wife Helen, and sons Wes and Ross. Wes’ family includes wife Lisa and son Evan. Ross’ family includes wife Angela and daughters Audrey and Emily. Wayne was one of nine children of Tomesaku and Toyo Sakamoto. He was born on December 28th, 1928, in Lahaina, Maui. Surviving Sakamoto family members include sisters Grace, Bessie and Edith. Departed family members include brothers Tom and Melvin, and sisters Leatrice, Nora and Jean.

Wayne graduated from Benjamin Parker Elementary and High School (now Castle High School) in 1946 playing baseball, basketball and football. He then attended the University of Hawaii earning a bachelor of science in PE and Recreation in 1950 all the while playing baseball and football. Thereafter, Wayne entered the Air Force in 1952. He was discharged in 1956, happily serving on the military baseball team. He then earned his Master of Science in Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Illinois.

Returning to Hawaii, Wayne started his teaching career at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School and eventually made it to Castle High School in 1960. While at Castle, he taught Health and Physical Education, coached baseball, as well as acting as Athletic Director for some time. His baseball teams always placed high, winning many Eastern OIA titles. Wayne also earned top Athletic Director title in 1974. He also received Windward District Hall of Fame Teacher of the year honors in 1992.

After retiring from Castle in 1984 he worked various jobs to fill the time. Wayne kept active with yard work, playing Makule softball and playing poker with the Okihiro family and Las Vegas machines at the Hotel California. He once hit a $25,000 royal flush on his last five quarters (so the story goes).

Wayne’s final seven years were a shell of his former vitality due to Alzheimer’s and dementia. With loving care and support from wife Helen, he outlived expectations and to the end still showed his love for company, as he would massage one’s hand. Till the end, always a baseball man, Wayne still would uncannily show some hand-eye coordination by picking up and throwing balls to people.