Barbara Shizuko (Fujitomo) Kusuda and Edward Shigeru Kusuda

Barbara Shizuko (Fujitomo) Kusuda peacefully passed away on June 12, 2020 at the Douglas Center Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 88. She was born in Wailuku, Maui as the youngest of four children to Takaji and Kame Fujitomo. She attended Baldwin High School and received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

After graduation, she taught in the states and in Japan before returning to Maui where she taught at elementary schools in Kihei, Kahului, and Waihee. After teaching for 10 years at Waihee Elementary, she obtained her Master’s degree in Library Science from the Univeristy of Hawaii and became the librarian for Waihee School until her retirement in 1995. During her time at Waihee School, she was remembered for her efficiency and how well organized she kept the library.

She married Edward Kusuda in 1962 and had one son, Dean. She was an active member of Iao Congregational Church and served on the Board and as Treasurer. Her lifelong hobbies included baking and cooking which she would enjoy sharing with her friends and family. She was known for her home-made double pikake and orchid leis which she would make using flowers she grew in her garden.

After her retirement, her favorite pastime became having lunch at Zippy’s with her fellow retired teachers June Tengan, Betty Watanabe,Yoshie Kimizuka, Claire Araki, and Rena Matsunaga. They would spend hours together to compare their aches and pains and to reminisce on all their good memories together. In their later years, Barbara and Edward enjoyed travelling and taking cruises all over the world and would take time every year to visit their grandson on the east coast. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Takaji and Kame Fujitomo, brothers Haruo and Tadashi Fujitomo and sister Mitsuko Rogers. She is survived by her son Dean, daughter-inlaw Allison, and grandson Jordan. Private services over ashes will be at a later date. The family requests no koden be given.

Edward “Biggie” Shigeru Kusuda

passed away on July 6, 2020 at his son’s home in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 89. He was born in Wailuku, Maui as the third child of Isami and Emi Kusuda.

After graduating from Baldwin High School, he enlisted with the army for two years before returning to Hawaii and began his career as an electrician. He spent his early years working “down under” and later was employed by Service Contractors as one of the journeyman electricians who supervised many projects for the company until its closure in the 1960s.

Afterwards, Edward would go on to start his own electrical company, Brite Electric, Inc. His company specialized in commercial projects but he would always have time to help friends and family with residential repairs. He would continue to run his successful business until he retired in 1994. He was a member of the International Brothers of Electrical Workers 1186 for 35 years.

Edward married Barbara Fujitomo in 1962 and had one son, Dean. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, yard work, and drinking with his friends and family. Later in life, Edward enjoyed traveling with Barbara all over the world and spending time with his grandson on the east coast.

Edward was predeceased by his parents, Isami and Emi Kusuda, and his wife Barbara.

He is survived by his son Dean, daughter in law Allison, grandson Jordan, sisters Masae Murakami and Itsuyo “It-chan” Kusuda, and brother Harold “Curly” (Reiko) Kusuda. Private services over ashes will be at a later date. The family requests no koden be given.