Mary Ellen Misue “Michan” Takaoka, age 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 18, 2025. She was born on February 18, 1932, in Lāna‘i City, Hawai‘i. Mary Ellen graduated from Lāna‘i High School and later attended Maui Community College.
For 13 years, Mary Ellen and her husband owned and operated Kuulei Restaurant (“The Malt Shop”), located across the street from Kailua Elementary School. After selling the restaurant, she went on to work for Norwest Financial for 17 years, retiring in 1995.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gilbert, and her brothers, Noboru, Mitsuyuki, and Ichiji Oyama. She is survived by her loving children, Debbie Aiwohi (Anthony) and Dayle Takaoka (Jolie); and two grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Windward Nazarene Academy Chapel,
45-232 Pua’ae Rd., Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744.
Visitation: 3:00 p.m. Service: 4:00 p.m.
Casual attire
Interment will follow on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery (Kamehameha Hwy)
