Clyde Uyehara
Clyde Shigemi Uyehara, age 72, of Pukalani, passed peacefully on January 9, 2025, after a life richly lived in service and kindness. Born on August 18, 1952 to his parents Shigeo Uyehara and Yoshiko Yamashiro, Clyde was raised in Kalihi. He was a graduate of Farrington High School and the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Secondary Music Education and a Professional Diploma. As a percussionist, he was a member of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and Royal Hawaiian Band and also had the honor of playing with musical legends Liza Minelli, Sonny and Cher, Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Bacharach, and Cass Elliot from The Mamas & the Papas.
Clyde used his gifted musical ability to brilliantly serve the youth of Maui as a music educator and band director. His teaching career started in the 1970s at Kamehameha III Elementary School and Lahaina Intermediate. Based out of Makawao School, he traveled around the upcountry area serving Haiku, Paia, Kula, Pukalani and Makawao as an elementary school band teacher. In 1985, he started the band program at Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate where he taught until his retirement in 2007 with over 30 years of service.
In addition to teaching, Clyde enjoyed spending time outdoors, particularly taking in the peacefulness and beauty when golfing with friends. He was an adored father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He is preceded in death by his father, Shigeo Uyehara, and leaves a legacy through his mother, Yoshiko Yamashiro, brother Rodney (Kim) Uyehara, his daughters Jill (Wade) Orikasa and April (Jeff) Tani and his 5 beloved grandchildren Aliya, Kalyssa, and Koltyn Orikasa and Malia and Kalea Tani.
His family will remember him for all of his meaningful daily acts of kindness, for his special outings, and for his sense of humor that always shared joy with everyone in the room.
His family would like to express their utmost gratitude to everyone who provided constant support and care for Dad, including Maui medical team of Dr. Yoder, Dr. Osapay, Dr. Poon, Dr. Parikh, Dr. Huang and the staff of the Kaiser home health department. They would also like to thank Dr. Stefanelli and the team at The Villas on Oahu, and Dr. Williams and his staff at the Maui Wound Care Clinic. In addition, they send their thanks to Craig Miyake, Dr. Philpott, Dr. Nelken, and their teams at Kaiser Moanalua. And they send a special thanks to Janet Quinton for all of her time and care.
In remembrance, a celebration of life will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Ballard Family Mortuary, where we will honor Clyde’s enduring impact on our community and hearts. His family encourages anyone who was touched by his life to join, visitation begins at 9:30 AM, with a service at 11 AM. Reception to follow.