Wayne was born on January 3, 1958 in North Kona on the Big Island to Hozue and Toshiharu Masuda. He was raised with his younger brother Wesley on the island of Oahu. He attended Palisades Elementary School, Highlands Middle School, and graduated in 1976 from Pearl City High School (Go Chargers!). He attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1980 and later received an Associates degree in Applied Trades from Hawaii Community College in 1983.
Wayne worked part time at Star Supermarket, Daiei, Cloud 9 Limousine, and also worked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for approximately 9 years (1981-1990).
In October 1990, Wayne began working for the Honolulu Fire Department as a firefighter recruit and became a Firefighter I in 1991. He rose up within the ranks as he was promoted to Firefighter II in 1996, Firefighter III in 2001, Fire Captain in 2007, and then became a Battalion Chief in 2017. While working for the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), Wayne demonstrated outstanding work, responsibility, and leadership. He was named the Elk’s Club Fireman of the Year in 2011, HFD’s uniformed Employee of the Year in 2014 and then later named HFD’s Manager of the Year in 2020. After working for the Honolulu Fire Department for 30 years, he retired at the end of 2020. While retired, he served as an Administrative Specialist II to the State Fire Council in 2022.
Wayne also worked part time as a PE teacher at Lanikai Elementary and was often recognized around Kailua town by past students as “Mr. Masuda.”
He has volunteered with Kailua AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) for more than 18 years as a coach and administrative volunteer and supported AYSO’s Very Important Player program by helping players with special needs enjoy the game of soccer. He was recognized in 2011 as Area 7-0 Volunteer of the Year by AYSO. As a coach, he led his team with a quiet confidence, wanting his players to enjoy the sport without having to worry about the final score.
Wayne enjoyed watching movies, playing board games with his family, and flying to Vegas to watch car shows and drag races with his grandchildren. He kept in shape by swimming laps at the local recreation center’s pool, riding his bike, and going for walks along the beach. An avid sports fan, he followed UH football, volleyball, and basketball and cheered on the Minnesota Vikings for many years. As a car enthusiast, he collected Hot Wheels, built model cars, and watched car TV shows like Top Gear, Street Outlaws, Roadkill Garage, and perused the Hawaiian Hot Rods Facebook group.
He is survived by his loving wife Loralyn, daughters Alyssa Masuda, Nicole Edwards-Masuda (Vishnu Om), Joy Himuro (David Thepsenavong), and 8 grandchildren. Also survived by his parents Toshiharu and Hozue Masuda, and his brother Wesley Masuda.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday February 11, 2023.
Email: Celebrate.wkm@gmail.com for more information.
Private burial at Hawaiian Memorial Park.
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