Mitsuyo Harai Murakami

September 11, 1905 - October 4, 2002

Mitsuyo Harai Murakami was born on Oahu, the third of six children to Takejiro and Otake Harai, who were immigrants from Hiroshima, Japan.  Soon after her birth, her family moved to Kona.  With the death of her mother when she was just 16 years old, Mitsuyo was left to care for her three younger siblings, which included a six month old brother.

On January 28, 1928 Mitsuyo Harai married a local boy, Yoshio Murakami, who was a coffee farmer, Japanese language teacher and reporter for the Japanese/English newspaper The Nippu Jiji.  Together, they had three daughters, Thelma, Janet, and Evelyn.

The couple worked together as teachers at the Honokohau Japanese Language School beginning in 1937.  When World War II broke out in 1941, Yoshio was interned at the Kilauea Military Camp for three years leaving Mitsuyo the responsibility of caring and providing for their family.  She took over her husband's job as reporter for the newspaper, harvested coffee, assumed part-time work at a local store, and with her daughters, weaved lauhala placemats and purses to sell.

Seeking better schooling and opportunities for her daughters, Mitsuyo and her family moved to Honolulu in 1947.  She engaged in many jobs to help support her family including sales woman at Fair Department Store, produce person at the neighborhood market, and helping at her sister's restaurant in Kaneohe.  During the mid-50's Mitsuyo was the owner/operator of Bobby's Cafe on Keeaumoku Street.  There she served up local and Hawaiian foods.

Upon retirement in 1965 Mitsuyo and her husband enjoyed traveling.  Among their favorite places to visit were Japan and California.  They also spent their retirement helping to care for their five grandchildren.  Mitsuyo also took pleasure in quilting, crocheting, playing Hanafuda, composing Haiku poems, and watching baseball.

In 1976, Mitsuyo's husband of 48 years suddenly passed away leaving her alone for the first time in her life.  To help overcome her loss she accepted a part-time job at Taniguchi Store and volunteered at American Red Cross.

Mitsuyo had three daughters, five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.