George Yahata's Obituary
George Yahata, age 94, passed away on October 1, 2025. He was born in Amauulu Camp 1, Hilo, Hawai‘i, one of nine children of Yoshitaro and Kanayo Yahata.
Growing up on the sugar plantation was a special time. He often shared stories of walking to school barefoot, collecting pig slop from neighbors while saying, “Buta kau kau morai ni kimashita,” swimming in the “kabidge” stream beside a neighbor’s cabbage patch, and watching from the third bridge as the 1946 tsunami came into Hilo. His father warned people, calling out, “Taiga wave!”
George was ten years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and his brother Yoshi served in Company G of the 442nd Infantry.
While working at a cannery on O‘ahu, George discovered he was colorblind—he kept mixing up the red and green trays. He attended the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he earned a degree in agriculture, was in the ROTC, and served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. He eventually returned to school to become a high school teacher.
During his Army years, George was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State. He fondly recalled a road trip with fellow Hawai‘i soldiers, driving from the West Coast to New York City—sleeping in the car they all pitched in to buy and spending nights parked in national parks along the way.
George retired from the Hawai‘i Department of Education after teaching math, science, and photography at Radford and Waipahu High Schools for 30 years. He always enjoyed running into former students and reminiscing about his teaching days. For many years, he found joy in a second career with the Waipahu Community School for Adults.
He loved traveling with his wife, Jane, across the U.S.—especially to the national parks—and to places like Japan, China, New Zealand, and Europe. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons at sporting events and school concerts.
George enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and Wheel of Fortune, and he could never get enough chocolate M&Ms and Coke Zero. He liked taking drives to Kahe Point to take in the ocean views and sunsets. In his driving years, his daily routine included meeting friends at the Waipahu YMCA, making his “fast-food circuit,” sampling snacks at Costco, and drinking coffee at his favorite spots. He would often stop by City Mill to “look,” buying tools to add to his growing tool collection, and helping with many family projects.
George is survived by his son Dan (Tedi) Yahata; grandsons Jordyn and Cameron; daughters Pat Yahata (Jarrett Ng) and Sue (Delro) Rosco; and sister Marian Miyataki.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to all friends and relatives for their kindness and love, and to the caregivers, doctors, and medical teams who took good care of him.
He is deeply missed, but we find comfort knowing he is in heaven, reunited with his beloved wife, Jane, through the grace of Jesus Christ.
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