Kinso Taira

Kinso Taira, born in Makaweli, Kaua`i on June 16, 1921, passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2012, just short of his 91st birthday. Kinso was raised in Okinawa, Japan returning to Hawai`i around his 16th birthday. His parents predeceased, both from Okinawa, were Kinsuke Taira and Makato Unten Taira.

He met and married Lillian Kameko Shiroma on June 1, 1942.

Born with a green thumb, he was able to coax beautiful plants, vegetables and flowers, like magic, from his many gardens. His vegetables often helped to sustain the family as well as bring in some needed funds for extras. He also shared his bounty with his family, friends and co-workers. His white and yellow ginger flowers were treasured for lei in Chinatown.

Wherever he could, he would plant vegetables and flowers, creating a beautiful frontage at his home. His dreams were realized when after a series of home, he moved to a simple home in Manoa which had plenty of room for him to turn his backyard into a haven for vegetables, fruits and flowers.

Kinso’s life was hard and sometimes his temper was short, as his two boys Bob and Glenn can attest. He often showed his affection in doing things for them, such as helping his son Glenn with the building of his home in Niu Valley. He didn’t have much skills but he was always a hard worker. He took care of son Robert for years, after he got into a car accident that left him partially paralyzed and with some brain injury. Even when they could not physically take care of him, Lillian and Kinso visited him faithfully every day in the care home, bringing food, goodies for Robert and the staff, and encouragement for as long as they were able.

A hard worker, he was employed as a maintenance worker at American Security Bank (now American Savings Bank). He also took care of his sons while his wife Lillian, worked many evenings and weekends as a waitress.

His last months were spent in the Queen’s Medical Center after a fall at home, suffering from a small fracture in his lower left vertebrae. He moved to Hale Nani Care and Rehabilitation Facility so that he could rehabilitate from the fall. He was able to recover but the fall left him in a fragile state. He returned home on Wednesday, March 21st joyously after having spent several months in the hospital and rehabilitation. However, he peacefully and unexpectedly left us a few days after returning home.

It is our hope that he is with our maker and is helping to tend the Lord’s gardens in heaven. This poem seems very appropriate for him. Kinso Taira leaves behind his wife Lillian Kameko and two sons: Robert Kiochi and Glenn Kiyoshi (Wendy Mow) Taira.