Maile Kawaakoa Miyashiro's Obituary
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
On April 21, 2026, our beloved Maile Kawaakoa Miyashiro went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born on February 6, 1968, in Monterey, California, Maile was the cherished "retirement bonus" baby of John Jr. and Harue Kawaakoa, who preceded her in death. She is lovingly survived by her husband, Brian; her daughter, Bryanna; and her siblings John III (Madeline), Bryn (Marie), Momi (Derek) Kim, Doug (Mitra), Jan Tamanaha, Angela (Lama), and Bella Willing.
Although Maile spent the last 22 years proudly calling Oʻahu home, she was born and raised in the Bay Area. She graduated from Seaside High School and later earned her Associate's degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from Cannon Business College. Throughout her career, she worked at Continental Airlines, Hyatt, Coca-Cola, and eventually C&S Wholesale Grocers. To Maile, each workplace became much more than a job—it became another place to build lifelong friendships. Outside of work, she loved spending time with family and friends, shopping, and crafting.
If there was one thing that defined Maile, it was that she never simply talked about kindness—she lived it. She led with her heart, always setting an example through her actions. Though she was the youngest sibling, she somehow became the family's planner—and, if you asked anyone, the boss. She had a gift for organizing birthdays, vacations, celebrations, and life's biggest milestones. Truthfully, she may have loved planning almost as much as she loved being in charge.
Acts of service came naturally to Maile. She freely gave her time, energy, and talents to anyone who needed them. She understood that not everything goes according to plan, yet she met every challenge with grace, flexibility, and a determination to find a way forward.
Maile lived a life of gratitude and generosity. She volunteered throughout her life, from serving meals to the homeless in California to giving her time in Hawaiʻi through food drives, Special Olympics, the Heart Walk, and Living Waters. Her home was always open. Coworkers became friends, friends became family, and family always knew there would be a place for them around her table. She made sure everyone who walked through her door felt welcomed, cared for, and well fed.
"Work hard, play harder" could have been Maile's motto. She gave everything she had to her work, but she also believed life was meant to be lived. She made time for the people she loved and embraced every opportunity to create memories. She found joy in the little things, loved to laugh, and was our family's dancing queen. Whether there was music playing or not, she danced like nobody was watching and sang like nobody was listening. Even the cliché "Live, Laugh, Love" fit her perfectly—not because it was trendy, but because she genuinely lived it every single day.
If Maile taught us anything, it's to always, always, always take pictures and videos. Because of her, our family has countless memories to hold onto. She understood that life's moments—big and small—were worth preserving. Even though she was usually the one behind the camera and had the fewest photos of herself, she never once complained.
Maile's life was a blessing to her family, her friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. When she was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November 2024, it was heartbreaking to imagine a life without her. The battle was incredibly difficult, but she faced it with unwavering strength, faith, and courage until her final day.
Just days before she passed, a hospice nurse asked her how she was feeling. As she lay in bed with her eyes closed, the nurse gently asked, "Do you ever feel down or hopeless?"
"Yes, sometimes," she replied.
Then the nurse asked, "Do you ever feel alone or distant from your loved ones?"
Without opening her eyes, and with a smile across her face, she answered simply, "No."
That moment will stay with us forever. Even in the hardest season of her life, she knew she was deeply loved.
Maile's greatest legacy isn't found in the parties she planned, the meals she prepared, the events she organized, or the countless photos and videos she made sure to capture. It's found in the way she loved people. She showed us what it means to lead with kindness, to serve without expecting anything in return, to open our homes and hearts to others, to laugh often, dance freely, and never miss an opportunity to make a memory.
If we honor her by loving generously, welcoming others the way she always did, taking one more picture, dancing a little more, and reminding the people we love that they're never alone, then a part of Maile will continue to live on in all of us.
Though our hearts ache in her absence, we find peace knowing she is healed, rejoicing in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Until we meet again, we'll carry her love, her laughter, and a little bit of our dancing queen with us wherever we go.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Mililani Mortuary, Mauka chapel. The viewing will start at 4:30pm and service at 6:00pm. The burial will be on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 10:00. Her service will also be live streamed here, https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/VVJYKK, for those unable to attend in person. Mahalo!
What’s your fondest memory of Maile?
What’s a lesson you learned from Maile?
Share a story where Maile's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Maile you’ll never forget.
How did Maile make you smile?