Shiro "Sam" Hironaka's Obituary
Mr. Shiro “Sam” Hironaka, 94, passed away on October 29, 2015 at his residence in Wailuku.
Services honoring the late Mr. Hironaka will be held on Sat., Nov. 14, 2015 at the Iao United Church of Christ (formerly known as Iao Congregational church) with visitation beginning at 2:00pm and services beginning at 4:00pm.
Shiro was born on February, 13, 1921 in the Nashiwa camp in Paia to Sukejiro and Asa Hironaka. He was the eldest of 6 children and assisted his parents in raising his younger siblings. He attended the old Maui High School in Hamakuapoko, where he met his future wife Chikae Magata. The young loves married in 1941 and together had two children, Carole and Paul.
Sam began his career in finance at HC&S as a bookkeeper and soon after fell ill with tuberculosis. He was hospitalized in the Kula Sanitorium for several years where he was known for inspiring and mentoring other patients. Sam survived and flourished following his illness and eventually became the manager of the Kahului Development Company (now known as A&B Properties). After some time with the company, Mr. Hironaka saw a need for a shoe store and opened Roland’s with his wife, Chikae. Roland’s would later be operated by their daughter Carole and her family. In 1968, Sam was an integral part of the founding and building of Maui Beach Hotel. Mr. Hironaka was a hard worker and always provided well for his family. He later established Maui Savings & Loan and was able to provide home loans to the plantation workers on Maui. Sam was so proud of this accomplishment, as leading up to the opening of Maui Savings & Loan, it was quite difficult for laborers to obtain mortgage loans. In 1988, Mr. Hironaka sold his successful business to American Savings Bank. He remained with the company as the executive vice president for several more years before retiring.
In his retirement, Sam enjoyed shopping, more specifically, he liked to find a good deal. He frequented Costco & Ross and was a familiar smiling face in both stores.
Mr. Hironaka will join in heaven, his beloved wife of 70 years, Mrs. Chikae Hironaka, and his son-in-law Mr. Robert “Bob” Toy. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughter, Carole Toy; son, Paul (Gayle) Hironaka; granddaughter, Robyn (Steve) Toy Webb; grandson, Warren (Jennifer Spellane) Toy; granddaughter, Cindy (Kalbert) Young; grandson, Scott (Mary Grace Fernandez) Hironaka and one great-granddaughter, Namlyn Young.
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