Clark Heichi Nakamoto's Obituary
Clark Heichi Nakamoto, 96, passed away peacefully at Roselani Place in Kahului under the compassionate care of Hospice Maui on May 9, 2017. Services honoring Clark were held privately at Kahului Jodo Mission. Nakamura Mortuary assisted with arrangements.
Clark was born at home in Lahaina on February 10, 1921 to Fukuichi and Some Nakamoto, the eldest of three sons. Clark could best be described as ‘rascal’.
He grew up on the docks of Mala Wharf, and enjoyed diving, body surfing and fishing.
He also loved flying. He learned to fly small planes at the old Kaanapali airstrip when he was a
teenager and also took lessons in New York. He had many adventures flying small planes.
Clark’s schooling at Kamehameha III Elementary School and Lahainaluna High School
developed his love for Hawaiian music and hula. He played the ukulele and harmonica and sang.
Even while bedridden, he continued to smile and sing the Lahainaluna Alma mater to the staff at
Roselani Place.
After graduating from high school, he attended the New York Institute of Photography. Clark worked his way through school taking pictures at the 1939 World’s Fair. When he returned to Hawaii, he started his own photography business.
In April 1952 he married Jean Fukuoka and they settled on Lanai where their four children were born. He became manager of the Lanai branch of First Hawaiian Bank until the family returned to Maui in 1969. When he retired in his 60’s, he was the escrow officer and office manager for Long and Melone Escrow’s Maui office.
Clark’s retirement years were filled with activity. He was a leader in the Senior Citizens Club in Kahului, a member of the MEO (Maui Economic Opportunity) Board, a volunteer for the AARP tax preparation group and active in the Kahului Jodo Mission. He also played in a ukulele band and a harmonica group and took hula lessons with his wife.
Clark is predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Jean Tatsue Fukuoka Nakamoto and his brothers, Minoru and Keichi. He is survived by his four children - Hana (David) Kraker, Riki (Gayle) Nakamoto, Emi (Paul) Fukuda, & Nobu (Margaret) Nakamoto; his eight grandchildren - Page, Joy, Lori, Tyler, Casey, Galen, Carter, & Nicole; and one great-grandchild, Kyla.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice Maui and Roselani Place for their kind and compassionate care that made Clark’s final years comfortable and happy. In lieu of koden, the family encourages friends and family to make donations to Hospice Maui or Roselani Place in memory of Clark Heichi Nakamoto.
Hospice Maui
400 Mahalani Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
pRoselanii Place
88 South Papa Ave
Kahului, HI 96732
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