Setsuko Arai, 89, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2019 with her family by her side. She was born in Osaka, Japan on March 25, 1930 to Tsuru and Masakado Taira. Setsuko grew up in Osaka during World War II and moved to Okinawa after the war at age 17. There, she worked on the Air Force base and spent a few years working for American families, helping take care for their children and learning about the English language and American culture. At age 24, Setsuko began working as a secretary for a law firm, where she worked until she decided she wanted to explore the world beyond Japan. She applied and was accepted into the Hawaii Business College and arrived in Hawaii at the age of 32, not knowing anyone.
Setsuko met her husband, Herbert Arai, through a matchmaker, her landlord who also knew Herbert and treated him like a son, and on August 29, 1964, they were married at Pohai Nani in Kaneohe. A year later, they welcomed their daughter Sandi. Setsuko worked hard to ensure her daughter received a good education and cultivated her musical skills, through piano and violin lessons. Setsuko worked at Main Branch of Central Pacific Bank for over 22 years and retired in 1992. She enjoyed oil painting and was an accomplished artist. She also loved traveling, attending classical music performances and operas, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Setsuko is survived by her husband, Herbert Arai; daughter, Sandi Karrmann; son-in-law Steve Karrmann; and grandchildren Steven, Nicole and Taylor Karrmann. She was preceded in death her father, Masakado Taira, mother, Tsuru Taira, sisters
Nae Uraguchi and Koto China and brother Masahiro Taira.
"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose
for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."
~ Helen Keller
We love you Setsuko
You will remain in our hearts forever
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