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Akio Nihei, age 90, passed away at Hale Makua Kahului under the compassionate care of Hospice Maui on May 29, 2024. Akio was the sixth child born to Seiji Nihei and Tori Sakuma Nihei in Kailua Camp, Maui, Hawaii on November 18, 1933.
Akio graduated from St. Anthony High School in Wailuku. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He was excellent at riflery and was awarded a trophy for being the best marksman in his basic training class. He attended Maui Vocational School on the GI Bill where he earned associate degrees in carpentry and welding. Akio was married to Kinuye Kijinami for 59 years until her death in 2021.
Akio was a skilled carpenter until his retirement. Woodworking was his hobby, and he had a fully equipped wood shop where he turned hardwood bowls, crafted many clocks, and created many cutting boards. He also loved fishing. Akio and Kinuye travelled in their later years to Japan, China, Russia, Alaska, France, Australia, and took several cruises. He was a 49ers and UH Warriors football fan.
Akio was predeceased by his parents Seiji and Tori Nihei, his sisters Shizue (Yoshio, deceased) Higuchi, Kimiyo (Noburu deceased) Orikasa, Harriet Mitsue (Roy) Fujii, Kiyoko (Satoshi deceased) Suzuki; brothers Takeji (Frayon deceased) Nihei, and Rikio (Ruth) Nihei. He is survived by brother-in-law Roy Fujii and sister-in-law Ruth Nihei; and 12 nieces and nephews.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staffs at Hospice Maui, Hale Makua, and Maui Memorial Medical Center.
A private family service was held at Makawao Buddhist Temple, and he was interred with his wife in the Makawao Buddhist Temple Columbarium.
In lieu of koden or flowers in memory of Akio, please consider a donation in memory of Akio to Hospice Maui or Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.