We apologize if we have missed anyone that was a part of the reception and was not recognized here.

In those fleeting moments when you happen to remember that kolohe Soyu, just say, "Aloha, a hui ho".
We would like to say, mahalo, mahalo, mahalo, to all of you for your prayers, love and support, and for the monetary offerings that has surely helped us a lot.

Soyus' Family,
Frances, Shonn, Malie and his mo'o. punas


"NOW WE UNDERSTAND"

Aloha to everyone that has clicked onto this web site to view comments and pictures submitted by people that have posted on Soyu’s obituary site.
Soyu’s sudden passing was a great shock to all that knew him. We never expected of all people, that this unfortunate day would happen to him, and we all questioned, “What Happened”? Frances was so perplexed, cause he never showed signs of any serious illness. He wasn’t taking any medications, and not sure when he last had a physical checkup. With such uncertainty, she requested an autopsy be performed for answers.
Frances would like to share the information she’s received from the medical examiner’s office in regards to the cause of Soyu’s demise.
Dr. Pete Schneider, a fellow Diamond Head Dawn Patrol Surfer, assisted in interpreting the medical terminology into a layman’s version, which I’ll try to share.
In the 1980’s, Soyu had an accident where a surfboard hit him in the stomach, which required  abdominal surgery for bleeding. Scar tissue naturally formed and as time went on it became severe.
In the 1990’s, he again needed abdominal surgery for “Colon blockage”, due in part to the scar tissue from the first surgery. He also had his gallstones removed.
Between that surgery and September of last year, scar tissue formed again, this time it blocked the small intestines. It was so severe that a portion of the intestines or the bowel died. Once the intestines died, it released poison in the form of potassium or bacteria into his blood system that caused the heart to malfunction.
Several days prior to his incident, he experienced vomiting and diarrhea. He attempted to see a doctor, but wasn’t able to get an appointment right away, so he took some over the counter medication for these ailments.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 13th, he collapsed at home and became unresponsive. The EMT’s took him to Straub Emergency and while he was attended to by the emergency room staff, and attached to a monitor, he had numerous cardiac arrests and developed multi-system organ failure.
The report further indicated that Soyu had a lot of blockages in his heart, which was severe and way worse than we even knew about. His arteries were also in poor condition. This made the heart more likely to malfunction, causing fatal arrhythmia-sudden heart stoppage and a skipping of beats so that not enough blood got supplied to important areas and organs for his body.     
To summarize:
Surfboard injury caused 1st incident of scar tissue being formed, causing;
Colon blockage requiring surgery with further scar tissue developing.
Scar tissue complication blocking the intestine and bowel releasing toxic poison into the blood system, causing;
Multisystem organ failure
Contributing Causes;
Heart failure                                   
Frances and her family would like to acknowledge the following people that have given of their time and support for Soyu’s memorial at the Elks Club and for the assistance in posting this notice.
Chris Fukuoka for sponsoring the gathering at the Elks Club
Jimmy Gusukuma for the food provided from Rainbow Drive In
Cat Toth Fox for being the MC 
At the welcoming desk: Pat Johansson, Trudie China, Midori Katayama
Kahu Dennis Salas for leading and offering up his prayers 
The musicians: Steve and Kai Mai’I and Dewey Medeiros
Steve Casar for the collage of pictures of Soyu
Further assistance by: Jimmy and Sherrie Gusukuma, Mike and Trudie China, Midori Katayama, Camilla Mai’i, Ivan Harada, Meiko Arai, Doug Kagawa, and from Rainbow Drive-In; Hiroshi Fukui, Ryan Butac and Christine Nakagawa.
Dr. Peter Schneider for the medical interpretation of the ME’s report
Rich Jackson for suggesting Dr. Petes’ assistance 
Chuck von Arnswaldt for preparing this essay

You were our buoy at DH and are now feel lost without you.

SoyBoy, your presence is ever-felt at DH, even though we first started surfing together at Queens.  Your teasing at first bothered me . . . eventually, I learned to accept it; how I miss it now. You wrapped a mean lau lau. I feel your absence at the coffee shops too.

SoyBoy, your presence is ever-felt at DH, even though we first started surfing together at Queens.  Your teasing at first bothered me . . . eventually, I learned to accept it, how I miss it now. You wrapped a mean lau lau. Coffee and lau lau will never be the same.

Soyu and I surfed Diamond Head going back many years and I will sorely miss his smile, laughter and especially his personal "Soyu teasing" in the water. I have so many fond memories and here are two....when we first started the DH garden, Gilbert Lum pointed out two tiny patches of grass shoots. Soyu and I decided to have a friendly competition to see who could grow grass the fastest by emptying our water bottles on the patches. I forgot who won the contest, but in a matter of weeks Gilbert Lum fixed the hose bib, added plants and fertilizer and the DH garden was born...for everyone to enjoy!

Soyu was always known for his cutting sarcasm. I remember falling off on waves and doing "face plants" more than once in front of Soyu. He'd say every time..."Eh haole boy, next you go mainland to surf, no tell'um you're from Hawaii" 

Soyu was an incredible surfer with a unique personality and just a cool guy!

Soyu always wore a grin and a hearty "Hey Tim" whenever he saw me at Diamond Head. His teasing - if I missed a wave or wiped out - would always be followed up with a "You'll get the next one!" or "Go for it" with the next wave that he easily could have gotten. Soyu was a gentle and modest surfing legend but, more importantly, a caring man, husband and father.
His life was a blessing, my memory of him is a treasure. He was loved beyond words and now missed beyond measure. How lucky I am to have known someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Soyu, your wings were ready but our hearts were not.
Tim 

Soyu and I have spent a great deal of time together these past 20 + years. Started surfing dawn patrol at Queens in the 80's, then we moved to Diamond Head and was part of the group which transformed a dirt covered plateau into the beautiful "Diamond Head Surfers Garden" led by Luna, Gilbert Lum. We also did volunteering with Rainbow Drive-In at numerous activities either surf meet related or community affairs. He was a graceful Long Board Surfer which I admired for years till he went "south" and started short boarding. He kept telling me to join him on the short board phase but I stuck with the longer board. I could go on with the many hours we spent, but I'm starting to tear up, so I'll keep some memories for sharing at some other time. A hui ho, to my friend, Gilbert Soyu Kawamoto.

While words fail to capture the pain of losing a loved one, we look forward to the time when words will fail to capture the joy of having our heavenly Father return your dear one to you.

OBITUARIO

Gilbert Richard Kawamoto

5 abril, 1943 – 13 septiembre, 2017

Borthwick Mortuary

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