PHOENIX Norman Yasuo Harai

– Norman Yasuo Harai passed away on July 13, 2023 following a long illness, surrounded by family and friends. Norm was born on September 5, 1942, in Kealakekua, Hawaii, the youngest of seven children parented by Hagino (Nakano) Harai and Hajime Harai. Norm is survived by his wife, Ellen Harai, and by three children, three stepchildren and five grandchildren as well as by two of his siblings, George Harai and Faith Nakamura. Always active in the communities where he lived, Norm made a major impact on many people’s lives. He is much loved and will be greatly missed.

Norm attended Konawaena High School and then the University of Cincinnati School of Architecture, from which he graduated in 1965. He moved to Pittsburgh in 1968 and was active in the community for more than thirty years, initially with Onque-Harai Associates, which became Harai, Onque, and Worsing. In 1987, he established Norman Y. Harai Associates, also called NYH Architecture, and actively worked on projects until his retirement. He was known for his work on innovative and interesting projects, particularly in working with communities to ensure his designs would improve the quality of life and overall safety for residents living in low-income and public housing. He developed inventive ways to refit single-family homes and residential housing for people who needed accessibility accommodations. He worked on well-known projects in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and East Liberty neighborhoods, and on Park Towers in Philadelphia. Later in his career, Norm was the architect for the University of Pittsburgh’s Japanese Nationality Room, a project he found particularly fulfilling.

Norm had an outsized impact on many people’s lives. Always active in his communities, Norm volunteered and gave back in many ways. Throughout his career, Norm mentored many young architects and helped them on their career paths. His sponsorship of the Vietnamese community supported many families and created lifelong friendships. He valued people and their needs in his professional work as well as in his personal life. After retirement and his relocation to Phoenix, Norm worked with the Pueblo Grande community for many years, serving as Chairman of the Pueblo Grande Indian Market. His work was recognized by the City of Phoenix with an Impact Volunteer award in 2014. Norm was an avid fisherman, an active birdwatcher, and a watercolor painter. Norm spent his later years in Phoenix focusing on family and friends, his volunteer work, and enjoying the beauty of the world around him.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Norm’s honor to the Se’Dav Va Aki Museum Foundation (formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum and Indian Market) or to either the Maui Food Bank or St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix. His family plans to hold a memorial service and celebration of Norm’s life at the Se’Dav Va Aki Museum on September 15, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Details will be available at a later date. Condolences may be expressed to the Harai Family at P.O. Box 50880, Phoenix, AZ, 85076-0880.