Frank Hirao Kawahara

Frank Hirao Kawahara was born in Portland, Oregon on December 10, 1926. The only son of Ayao and Yoshino Kawahara, Frank was raised in a farming community along with his four sisters Hattie, Mary, Jinx and Ruth.
During WWII, by Executive Order 9066 the entire family was interned at Minidoka Relocation Camp in Hunt, Idaho in May of 1942. After finishing high school in camp, he served in the Army as a corporal in the Military Intelligence Service. Later on he ventured out to St. Louis, Missouri where he attended the University of Missouri and received his bachelor's degree in Geology.
It was after this period in his life that he met Kimiko Osaka (who was to become his wife for 54 years) in Montreal. Frank had been sent to Ottawa by the US Government To set up the DEW Line in Northern Canada. After the two were married, they moved to Tokyo, Japan with Frank's mother. What was supposed to be a two year commitment ended up being a 15 year stay. He worked as an engineer and traveled extensively throughout the Southeast Asia region.
Their children Traci, Kerry and Andrew were all born in Japan. They returned to Torrance, CA in 1973, where Frank started up Kimoto USA. He worked there until he retired in 1996.
He enjoyed golf, going to Las Vegas and telling amazing stories about his exploits during his world travels. But the thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with his family and taking them out to eat.
He passed away on January 29, 2012 surrounded by family.
Frank Kawahara is survived by: Wife: Kimiko Kawahara, Siblings: Mary (and George) Teraoka, Lillian (and Harold) Brookman, Ruth (and Edward) Donohue 2, Children: Traci (and Robert) Yamamura, Kerry (and Dan) Carnahan, (Lynne) and Andrew Kawahara, Grandchildren: Emily Yamamura, Allyson Yamamura, Sophie Yamamura, Jackson Carnahan,
Carson Carnahan, Sidney Kawahara, Nieces and Nephews: Tommy (and Jenny) Teraoka, Steven Teraoka, Robert Teraoka, Janet (and Hiro) Umezu, Cathy (and Doren) Lee, Kendrew Colton, Barbara Colton (and Mark Chandler), David Colton, (Mary) and Edward Donohue 3, Karen (and Joe Purcell), Robynn Mack, (Lisa) and Kevin Brookman Grandnieces, Grandnephews and their families: Tisha (and Mike) Guerrero, (Kaya & Mikai), Kristen Teraoka, Lindsay Teraoka, Michael Teraoka, Lori Teraoka, Amy Umezu, Stacy Umezu, Michelle Umezu, Nikki Lee, Kyle Lee, Carolyn Colton, Chistopher Colton, Kyra Chandler, Alyssa Chandler, Edward Donohue 4, Matt Donohue, Sean Donohue, (McKenna), Kynan Donohue, Lindsey Mack, Shane Mack, Kadie Purcell, Brother in law: Stan H. Osaka.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275