Katsumi "Kats" Yamada

age 70, former Hawaii Kendo Federation Board of Director, Kenshikan Kendo Club chief instructor, avid supporter of the advancement of Kendo in Hawaii and Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary funeral director peacefully passed away on October 18th 2017 at Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Okinawa, Japan on August 2nd 1947 then moved to Oahu during his teenage years and graduated from McKinley high school. After graduation he attended a business collage while helping his father run a Moyashi company. He was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam war from 1971 to 1974. After serving 3 years in the US Army he started a transportation company called Caravan Island Tours with his father from 1974 till 1998. After closing his company, in 1999 he started working as a funeral director at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. He was a very fair and loyal individual who was respected by many people around him. He enjoyed watching kendo tournaments, keiko, spending time with his grand daughter and most of all drinking sake.Survived by wife Hiroko Yamada, son, Jack(Shiho); daughter, Keiko(Frodel) Tolentino; sister Ikuyo (Haruo) Kyoshi and granddaughter Rhyse Tolentino. Funeral service 3pm Sunday November 26, 2017 at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Visitation 2pm. Casual attire.