Reginald Plaza Daguman's Obituary
Reginald Daguman Obituary
REGINALD PLAZA (SUAN) DAGUMAN, 82, of Waipahu, HI, passed away peacefully at his home during the morning of October 21, 2023.
He was born on February 2, 1941, to proud parents Fred and Sarah Plaza Daguman in the Sugar Plantation Town of Waipahu – founded by the Oahu Sugar Company (OSC) in 1897. At the time, the Hawaiian Islands was still a Territory of the United States; and, as a ten-month-old toddler along with his family witnessed and survived the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor at the edge water of their hometown by Imperial Japan the morning of December 7, 1941.
Permanent residents of Waipahu, his family lived in “Stable Camp” (plantation camp where mules and donkeys were corralled) where he attended Waipahu Elementary School and transferred to August Ahrens Elementary after his family relocated to a home near “Depot Road”. He attended the “Old” Waipahu High School (now the Intermediate or junior high) and participated in sports (baseball, gymnastics, Karate), went to football games to see his school battle and win the prestigious “Cane Knife” trophy award, had interest in animal husbandry and agriculture, and sang in a school band. In 1959, he graduated a “proud” Waipahu High School Marauder, the year US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th State of America on August 21, 1959.
The Oahu Sugar Company (OSC) parks and multi-ethnic plantation camps were his playground and he had fond memories including watching his parents play sports, especially his father “Fred Daguman” – a Waipahu Baseball Legend – play baseball at Hans L’Orange Park, going to plantation stores and candy shops (Arakawa Depot Store, Kawano, Nii Superette, Tsumoto, Nabarrete, Ishiharaya), movies at the Old Waipahu Theater, watching horses haul sugar cane to the trains at Waipahu Depot, and being mesmerized by acres of whispering cane tassels which inspired his Waipahu High School Alma Mater.
On November 27, 1965, he married his Beautiful Bride, Pearlyn (Cabanlit) Lawas, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waipahu. She was his “beacon” of life, faith, and hope; and, enjoyed celebrating her life by throwing her surprise birthday parties. His love for his bride was unwavering. They were married for 51 golden years, and he was her tender loving caregiver until she passed on November 4, 2017.
In 1969, they became proud homeowners purchasing their first and only home at the top of “Waipahu Triangle” on the original Waipahu Street. There they raised their five beautiful children (3 daughters and 2 sons) and hosted many memorable family gatherings. Though their personalities were definitely polar opposite, they were truly “two peas in pod” supporting each other during the hard times and enjoying leisure time with one another riding around the island, going to hole-in-the-wall eateries, running to stores (Don Quixote, Marukai, Chef Zone, Walmart) or simply relaxing at their favorite bookstore (Borders) or local golf country clubs to listen to music. They were witty and had fun sightseeing and playing tourist whether it was a “staycation” in Waikiki, the outer island, or trips to the mainland (California, Alaska, Nevada, Utah, and Southern States). They enjoyed visiting and helping their family and friends – especially the sick and those of time in need. They also attended mass at St. Joseph’s, prayed the rosary each night, and attended novenas honoring those who passed before them.
A Dedicated Family Man – He loved his family unconditionally and worked hard to keep them safe and healthy. He enjoyed “quality” time with his family taking them on nature hikes (Aiea Loop Trail), 4x4 offroad riding in his Toyota Jeeps (Waiawa and Kaena Point), family picnics (Moanalua Gardens, Neal S. Blaisdell Park), swimming and fishing (Ala Moana Beach Park, Kahe Point, Waipahu Beach, Maili, Waianae, Haleiwa, Mokuleia, Waimanalo, Kaneohe, Makapu’u), and big family campouts at Yokohama Bay during the holidays. Occasionally, he treated them to movies at the old Sunset or Kam Drive-Ins, carnivals at the Waipahu Recreational Center, the Honolulu Zoo, Sea Life Park, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. He also brought family and friends together by hosting “movie nights” on film & projector at his home in Waipahu.
His greatest joy was time spent with his grandchildren – babysitting and entertaining them with grandma, listening and sharing stories, encouraging their talents and imagination, attending school events, and celebrating their birthdays and graduations. And, although he was not able to visit his little great-grandchildren in Washington State, he was still able to meet and interact with them over social media (Facetime, Skype, Zoom).
He was a “Proud Father and Grandfather” and pleased to see that his children continued to enjoy his same appreciation for the outdoors and share this experience with their own families.
A Career Journeyman – He attended trade school and became a Master Sheet Metal Journeyman and a loyal member of his Sheetmetal Workers Union Local 293. He worked for multiple construction companies and short period at the Oahu Sugar Company harvesting acres of cane by hand when he was on furlough. Over half his career, he worked as a civilian at Hickam Airforce Base, Pearl Harbor Navy Base, Wheeler Army Airforce Base and Schofield Army Barricks, Kaneohe Marine Base, and received numerous commendation awards for excellence and leadership before he retired in 2008.
A “Jack of All Trades” and Craftsman – He performed air conditioning, roofing, plumbing, painting, masonry, and carpentry work. Repurposing scrap materials, he built meat smokers out of 50 gallon oil barrels, stainless steel BBQs, motorized rotisseries to roast Huli Huli (turn) chicken, lechon baboy (roast pig) and prime rib, large stainless steel food warmers and screen boxes to protect food from unwanted pests. He also built fancy octagon shape cages for his exotic birds and a nice full-size playhouse for his kids. For crafts, he made bamboo paper kites, simple wooden toys, sling-shots, guava stick massagers, and all sorts of metal crafts and gadgets for home repairs, fruit picking, handicap use, crabbing, and fishing.
A Staunch Member of the Waipahu Community – He was a fierce advocate for causes and was never shy to contact or meet Hawaii State Representatives and local community leaders to propose solutions or bring awareness on matters impacting the community.
He was in frequent contact with the Offices of Hawaii State Senators Patsy T. Mink, Daniel Inouye, Daniel Akaka, and State Representative Julie Duldulao on matters related to workers with disabilities, unemployment benefits, medical care, public works and safety. He also worked closely with Senator Clarence Nishihara to research and recognize the pivotal role his hometown of Waipahu played during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This collaboration put the “Town of Waipahu” onto the historical floor map at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum located on Ford Island. The new map was ceremonially unveiled on September 2008.
He regularly attended Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meetings to further address issues impacting the local community, such as, the multibillion development of the “Skyline” rail system, public parking and transportation, pedestrian safety, crime, vandalism, and inaccuracies in the city’s utility monitoring systems.
And, he supported local farmers and rallied alongside them on the North Shore and held signs for his favorite local politician(s) he believed that would do good work for the community.
He was also a proud member of the United Visayan Community (UVC) Club of Hawaii founded in 1948 by first generational Visayan community leaders that immigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii in search for opportunities in Hawaii’s sugar cane and pineapple industries. The UVC founding fathers included his grandfather “Esidro Daguman”, Paulino Largo, Uncle Pastor Limatoc, Hermogenes Ancog, Pedro Alproque, Felix Dellatan, and Tiburcio Machitar. The UVC charter was to help other migrating Filipino workers and families settle in their new homeland and to have a place to gather for fellowship and prayer. The UVC celebrates nearly five generations of descendants from the Visayan Isles of the Philippines.
A Great Outdoorsman and Hobbyist – He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association (whose President was his favorite actor Charleston Heston) and an instructor for the Hunter’s Education Program with the State of Hawaii Land and Natural Resources to educate and help hunters obtain their Hawaii hunter certification card required to purchase a hunting license in the State of Hawaii.
His favorite pastime was hunting and fishing but included hiking, crabbing, archery, skeet shooting, raising animals, gardening, cooking, sports (softball, baseball, bowling, and golfing), and watching “Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom” and “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”.
He looked forward to “Big Game Mouflon” hunting on the Islands of Lanai, Maui and the Big Island with his closest and dearests’ family and friends - Leroy Ancheta, Shige Yamasaki, his Lanai Gang (Vic Pagente, Ryan Herolaga, Eddie Rabang, Kimoy Sabino), Mike Castellano, and Eddie Villafuerte) and fishing in Alaska with The Chang Family of Pearl City.
His home was a “mini-zoo” raising exotic game birds from his local bird club (Ring-necked and Golden pheasants, quails, Erckel’s Francolins, chukar partridges), ring-necked doves and pigeons, a cockatoo, and mynah bird, “Quack-Quack” a mallard duck, a desert tortoise he stumbled upon while hunting, and beloved hunting dogs (DakTo1, DakTo2 and Lyda).
He had a garden with Okinawan purple sweet potatoes, long Chinese green beans, Japanese eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and tanglad (lemongrass). He grew a hybrid guava tree from Uncle Shimana on the Big Island that produced large seedless fruit, pear and papaya trees, and, of course, a Kalamunggay tree (moringa). He referred to this as his “poor man’s” garden that was cheap (free), healthy, and a sustainable way to feed his family that after Sunday masses at St. Joseph’s Church he cooked a big pot of Filipino pinakbet (vegetable dish) or sabaw (soup dish) with just a few pieces of meat (chicken, pork, beef). He also had a passion for experimental kitchen cooking (making a mess), obsessed researching and scribbling tons of recipes, and perfected his techniques for smoked meats, jerky, roast belly pork, and for his “famous” banana pancakes and Filipino bandiay-bandiay (banana fritters).
A Gifted Singer and Home Entertainer – He was blessed with a beautiful and strong voice. He was the “Star” in our family and very own “Frank Sinatra” and “Tony Bennett”. He commanded the room whenever he sang and melted our hearts. His singing was “Ono” (delightful) and loved serenading his wife, singing Karaoke with this family, entertaining at his Waipahu High School Class of 1959 reunions and at the Waikele and Mililani Golf Country Club with family and friends. He kept company on long road trips singing until our final destination. He also entertained himself signing along with his Apple and Alexa devices.
On his final journey with us, he faced and endured the extreme discomfort of his health conditions with the bravery and strength of a true “Warrior” before he was called home to be at the side of our Heavenly Father, his Beloved Wife, and all his loved ones gone before him.
His gift to his Beloved Family was a “Lifetime” of family traditions, cherished memories, accomplishments, humble and simple living, and a host of life lessons on perseverance, courage, and survival.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Pearlyn Lawas (Cabanlit) Daguman, Baby Grandson Joshua Adams, Baby Great-Grandson James Adams, Parents Fred (Suan) and Sarah (Plaza) Daguman, Baby Sister Rebecca Daguman, Paternal Grand Parents Esidro (Osoc) and Rupina (Suan) Daguman, and Maternal Grand Parents Florentino and Maxima (Caracol) Plaza.
And, he is survived by all 5 children - Marcela Daguman (Bill Londono), Sharla Mae Tadeo (Ricarte), CherLynn Daguman-Adams (Gerald), Reginald “Reggie Boi” Daguman, Jr., and Cheston Blaise Daguman; Hanai Daughter Gordean Serikaku; 3-Grand Aunts Lucy (Suan-Daguman) Mendoza (Leonard), Angie (Plaza) Smith (Jack), Lydia Plaza (Pedro “Pete” Plaza – deceased); Brother Harry Daguman (Gayle Hoopii), 3-Sisters Lorraine Duhaylonsod (Alfredo-deceased), Wanda Deem (Tom) and Penny Copada; 2-Sisters In-law Rosalie Lawas Quintal (Theodore “Sonny” – deceased) and Mary Jane Acedilla; 9-Grand Children; 11-Great Grand Children; co
Wake Service will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024 at Mililani Mortuary Makai Chapel. Visitation begins at 5:30 pm; and service at 6:30 pm. Funeral Mass will be held next day, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at St. Joseph Church (94-675 Farrington Hwy., Waipahu, HI 96797). Visitation at 9:30 am; and service to begin at 10:00 am. Burial to follow 12:30 pm at Mililani Memorial Park Cemetery.
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