Doctor’s life devoted to caring for others

ELE’ELE — Dr. Yonemichi Miyashiro is described by friends and family as hard

working, compassionate and dedicated. His life was devoted to patients, family,

church and community. His manner was simple and his energy boundless.

He

died on Nov. 26 at the age of 73, leaving his family and friends with memories

of a life well lived.

Miyashiro opened his office doors to the people of

West Kauai in Hanapepe in 1963. As a “general practice” doctor, he did

everything from setting fractures to delivering babies, to administering

anesthesia. He knew his patients well and cared for several generations of the

same family.

He said he enjoyed the fact that his work encompassed

everything from birth till death.

In 1965 he joined the Waimea Clinic and

practiced his compassionate and sensible approach to medicine for 30 years. He

retired from the Ohana Physicians Group in March.

“I think he was ready to

retire a few years earlier but felt that things on the Westside, in terms of

physicians staffing, was not such that he was comfortable in retiring,” said

Dr. Paul J. Arrington, a general surgeon with the Ohana group who worked with

Miyashiro for 18 years.

“He decided to stay on a little longer than he

otherwise would have because he was so concerned about the welfare of the

patients and seeing that they received medical care,” Arrington said.

“Dr.

Miyashiro committed his entire professional life and much of his life in

general to the community, in providing care,” he said, characterizing Miyashiro

as a throwback to another generation.

“He was totally dedicated to his

patients and his work. He never complained about the multitude of calls he

received nightly from them or the hospital,” recalls his daughter Donna

Umetsu.

“I remember him smiling when he came home from work no matter how

difficult the day’s work had been.”

She remembers his compassion as well.

“I remember his pain when counseling someone over the phone because of a family

member’s impending death. He helped many families deal with death in a

dignified and wholesome manner,” she said.

Miyashiro was born in Honolulu

on Aug. 1, 1926. Raised in Keapana, Kaua’i on the family pineapple farm with

seven siblings he developed an affection for family and a simple life.

A

1945 Kauai High School graduate, he served two tours of duty in the U. S. Army.

His first tour was in the late ’40s as part of a reconnaissance division in

Shimonoseki, Japan, the second during the Korean War. Between his military

tours he entered the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on the GI Bill.

Completing his military service in 1952, he returned to the university to

study medicine. In that same year he married Mildred Tamashiro of Ewa, O’ahu.

Their first of five children was born while Miyashiro was still an

undergraduate.

Hard work and family were always a part of his life.

His wife recalls, “He always worked part-time while attending medical

school; he drove a taxi, worked as a medical technician, did night work at

Argus Camera Company, was a caregiver to an elderly invalid man, painted

houses, took care of mentally ill patients at Mercy Wood Hospital.

“He

couldn’t study at the school library finding it too quiet to concentrate.

Instead he studied at home with his young son climbing all over him and his

books.”

Miyashiro graduated from University of Michigan medical school in

1957. He interned at Traverse City, MI, and completed his residency in Santa

Rosa, Calif., in 1960. By then four of his five children had been born.

The

young doctor’s medical career began as a plantation physician at Paauhau on the

Big Island. He served there for a year before starting his private practice in

Wahiawa, O’ahu, where his last child was born.

Miyashiro roots were

reflected in his simple lifestyle. He carried a Pan Am bag as his briefcase,

and when that wore out, he reverted to a cardboard filebox to carry his papers

to and from work.

Two apples in a brown paper bag made his lunch. He

enjoyed a good joke, both telling and hearing them.

Although he was away

working much of the time while his children were growing up, they recall the

quality of time spent together. Camping trips to various beaches on Kaua’i,

hikes to Alakai Swamp and into Kalalau Valley light their

memories.

Miyashiro held the family Christmas celebration at a Koke’e

cabin. He planned all the games and songs and a Christmas play for his children

and grandchildren. He loved singing and discovered late in life he had a gift

for playing the piano.

Miyashiro’s commitment to the community was not

limited to his medical practice. He was active in his church and was the

long-time team physician for the KIF champion Waimea H.S. football team. He

loved football and golf. Kukuiolono Golf Course in Kalaheo was his

pleasure.

Richard Doi, retired Waimea High School athletic director and

former football coach, recalls Miyashiro’s contribution to the Menehunes.

“Although he was not an alumni of Waimea High School, he was one of the most

loyal and active supporters. A very dedicated, very compassionate man.”

Miyashiro never missed a game. He used to come into the locker room before

the game and at half time to listen to what the coaches said to the kids. He

would do everything possible to support the team and make sure the boys were in

good health, said Doi.

An elder of the Kaua’i Bible Church since 1986,

Miyashiro gave guidance, counsel, advise and was know as a peacemaker in his

church community.

Darlene Walker, of the Kaua’i Bible Church, remembers

Miyashiro’s burning compassion to help mankind and a passion to honor and

dedicate his life to Christ’s teachings. “We are certainly very grateful for

that. He was a real asset to Kaua’i and our church,” Walker said.

His

family said his strong faith helped him as he faced his own death. They said

that even during his last week at Wilcox, he remained true to himself, told

jokes and got up at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 20, to watch his final

Michigan game (they won!). A life lived well.