George Kazuo Shigenaga

George Kazuo SHIGENAGA was born January 27, 1928 in Honolulu, Hawaii and passed on September 6, 2025 at 97 years, 7 months and 10 days. He was the 6th child of 8 born to Tarokichi and Taka (Nakamura) Shigenaga. George’s burial wishes were to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean, as we did with his wife Katherine. He didn’t want a service or celebration of life.

He married Katherine Hoolulahui Young on April 19, 1952 and of this union a single daughter was born, Renette Kuuipo. She married Michael Wiges in 1987.

The following survivors included this daughter: Renette and her husband Michael, Helen Esposito his only living sibling (7th of 8 born in 1929).

George served in the US Army and attained the rank of Sergeant. George was wounded in the Korean Conflict (April 4, 1951) and was awarded the Purple Heart in action in a war zone and he also received the Bronze Medal. The wounds he received in Korean left him disabled for the rest of his life and he retired from the Army on disability in 1956.

George had a boxing career while in the Army. In 1949 he was on the boxing team, 1950 he tried out for the US Olympic Team. He won the 2nd Division Championship while in the Army.

The family moved from Hawaii to California and George worked at the Post Office. He later moved to Palmdale, California working for the FAA until his retirement. After the loss of his wife Katherine on April 7, 2007 he decided to move back to the islands and settled on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

George will be greatly missed by family members and friends.