Kaohi: June Takeko Shimokawa "She...tackled social issues ranging from nuclear awareness to Kanaka Maoli rights." We will never forget, rest in peace!

JUNE TAKEKO SHIMOKAWA

Published On May 24th, 2011 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

NUUANU MEMORIAL PARK & MORTUARY, LLC

JUNE TAKEKO SHIMOKAWA

76, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

June grew up on the Big Island and received her high school and college education in Honolulu. She then went on to spend many years on the mainland, working with the YWCAs in Ohio, Washington and the Western Region, and with the United Methodist Church in New York City. She returned to Hawaii in 1985 to lead the Oahu YWCA and then to develop programs to promote peace and justice with the American Friends Service Committee. June retired from her careers in social work but never retired from her social activism. She was a tireless advocate for the disadvantaged and minorities, and tackled social issues ranging from nuclear awareness to Kanaka Maoli rights.

June’s courage to meet the challenges in her life on her own terms sing of her integrity. An intent listener and committed social activist, June radiated warmth in her gentle unassuming but determined manner. Caring deeply and passionately about equality and social justice, she never hesitated to put her faith into action. June’s curiosity and attention to the physical needs of others (safety, shelter, sustenance) mirrored her curiosity and attention to her own spiritual calling.

Her joy in life and appreciation of simple things touched the hearts and lives of many.

June’s ready smile, infectious laugh, and quiet dedication to making this world a better place remain impressed in the hearts of her late sisters Michiko (Suyenaga), Yuriko (Tsunehiro), Sumiko (Brandon) and surviving sisters Atsuko (Hasegawa) and Hideko, brother James, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and a large ohana of friends and colleagues.

A celebration of June’s life will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Harris United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at 9:30 am, followed by the service at 10:30 am. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations in appreciation of June’s life may be made to Harris United Methodist Church, or to Hawaii People’s Fund, an organization that was special to June, which promotes justice and social change in Hawaii.

Please attend this services if one can, I will not be here. I will be away tending to my situation, however will be thinking about June.

Hawai'i People's Fund: Change not Charity

image.queen.jpg Hawai‘i People's Fund is a publicly supported community fund established in 1972 to provide grants to progressive grassroots social change organizations working in Hawai‘i. We are a unique partnership of donors, activist grantmakers and grantees committed to positive social change and a more equitable distribution of wealth, resources and power. Hawai‘i People's Fund assists groups considered too small, too new, or too controversial by traditional funding agencies.

Hawai‘i People's Fund brings together those who want to invest in justice with those who are actively pursuing justice in a united vision for social change. Our philosophy of community-based strategic philanthropy offers a unique alternative to traditional charitable giving. Individuals who contribute to Hawai‘i People's Fund are investing in our community's future by supporting projects that seek out the root causes of social problems and pose new solutions.

Grant Committee:

Trevor Atkins
Sara Banks
Laurie Baron
Anthony Bei-En Chang
Michael Christopher
Kamuela Enos
Renee Furuyama
Shirley Garcia
Le‘a Kanehe
Derrick Kiyabu
Maralyn Kurshals
Lina Le
Carmille Lim
H. Doug Matsuoka
Meredith Nichols
Barbara Polk
Ilona Sai
Erin Kahunawaika‘ala Wright

Replies

Kaohi May 25, 2011 at 7:37am
Please attend this services if one can, I will not be here. I will be away tending to my situation, however will be thinking about June.

Hawai'i People's Fund: Change not Charity

Hawai‘i People's Fund is a publicly supported community fund established in 1972 to provide grants to progressive grassroots social change organizations working in Hawai‘i. We are a unique partnership of donors, activist grantmakers and grantees committed to positive social change and a more equitable distribution of wealth, resources and power. Hawai‘i People's Fund assists groups considered too small, too new, or too controversial by traditional funding agencies.

Hawai‘i People's Fund brings together those who want to invest in justice with those who are actively pursuing justice in a united vision for social change. Our philosophy of community-based strategic philanthropy offers a unique alternative to traditional charitable giving. Individuals who contribute to Hawai‘i People's Fund are investing in our community's future by supporting projects that seek out the root causes of social problems and pose new solutions.

Grant Committee:
Trevor Atkins

Sara Banks

Laurie Baron

Anthony Bei-En Chang

Michael Christopher

Kamuela Enos

Renee Furuyama

Shirley Garcia

Le‘a Kanehe

Derrick Kiyabu

Maralyn Kurshals

Lina Le

Carmille Lim

H. Doug Matsuoka

Meredith Nichols

Barbara Polk

Ilona Sai

Erin Kahunawaika‘ala Wright
Kaohi May 24, 2011 at 3:29pm

I cannot remember June not ever being there on the defense line.

This reply was deleted.