Wilbert Mitsuru Kajihara's Obituary
Wilbert Mitsuru Kajihara, 84, died on Feb. 4, 2026, at his home in Makawao.
Mr. Kajihara was born on Nov. 5, 1941, in Wailuku. He is survived by his sister, Irene Imada, and predeceased by his parents, Sakae and Hitoe Kajihara; brothers Ernest, Roy and Lyle Kajihara; and sisters Takako Kajihara, Elaine Foo Sum and Gladys Ashimine.
He also is survived by 16 nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Po`okela Church with family visitation beginning at 10 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m. There will be time for sharing of stories of the life of Mr. Kajihara.
The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Fong will be officiating.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
Mr. Kajihara attended Makawao and Maui High Schools. He received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Hawaii-Manoa in 1964.
A Vietnam War veteran, he served in the Navy from 1966-69 and was an ensign aboard the USS Dubuque, an amphibious transport dock.
Mr. Kajihara, affectionately known as “Uncle Wilbert” and “Wilby Man” by family and friends, dabbled with many ventures and professions as a teacher, businessman, entrepreneur and mentor.
He opened the first McDonald’s on Maui in Kahului and was employed for many years at Shirokiya on Oahu and Maui.
Mr. Kajihara was an avid University of Hawaii sports and San Francisco Forty-Niners fan, taking trips to Oahu and the Mainland to watch his beloved teams play.
Family was a central part of his life. He was a caregiver for family members and was planning a trip to Japan to reconnect with family on his mother’s Ichiki side.
He will be missed.
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