We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Ada Toyama. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Ada Akemi (Kageura) Toyama
75, of Honolulu, a state coordinator for Hawaii HOSA, former DECA advisor, and retired high school business teacher at Castle High School, passed away on June 24, 2022 at home. She was born in Honolulu. Survived by her husband, Raymond; daughters Joy and Jann; sister Marie Arakaki, and nieces Amber (Yuk-Fai) Tham and Kristen. Visitation at 5:00p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Service... see more
Ada Akemi (Kageura) Toyama
75, of Honolulu, a state coordinator for Hawaii HOSA, former DECA advisor, and retired high school business teacher at Castle High School, passed away on June 24, 2022 at home. She was born in Honolulu. Survived by her husband, Raymond; daughters Joy and Jann; sister Marie Arakaki, and nieces Amber (Yuk-Fai) Tham and Kristen. Visitation at 5:00p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Service begins at 6:00 p.m. Masks required.
I was one of her HOSA volunteers at the State as well as national/international HOSA conference. Ada liked to spread aloha through leis. At the mainland conferences, each student and teacher in the Hawaii delegation was given a kukui nut lei, which was... moreI was one of her HOSA volunteers at the State as well as national/international HOSA conference. Ada liked to spread aloha through leis. At the mainland conferences, each student and teacher in the Hawaii delegation was given a kukui nut lei, which was worn until the end of the conference, then given away. But Ada also brought a flower lei for each of her student officers, teachers who received national recognition, and maybe others. After a week of refrigeration, these leis were on their last legs, yet were often regifted to national officers or other friends.
One particularly memorable year, my sister Candace and I were her roommates in Orlando. Ada’s red plastic luggage had been damaged by the airlines, and we ended up turning that suitcase into an ice cooler for the box of leis. I was tasked with keeping the ice chest filled, and the project was a success. Thanks to our neighbors, the Big Island boys including Lark.
I miss going to the conference and competition. Ada was extremely good at spreading aloha to the national staff, other state advisors, and student participants. She was also good at working with her student officers and getting volunteers for her activities. She will be missed. less
Comments and memories from the Castle High School Alumni Facebook Group:
Brenda Keliihoomalu
Wonderful teacher, always positive.! 💗
Noreen Okikawa
I'm so sorry to hear about her passing. I still remember her voice and laughter. A wonderful teacher... moreComments and memories from the Castle High School Alumni Facebook Group:
Brenda Keliihoomalu
Wonderful teacher, always positive.! 💗
Noreen Okikawa
I'm so sorry to hear about her passing. I still remember her voice and laughter. A wonderful teacher and person.
Kathy Lin
I am also a Castle alumni and current HOSA advisor. She will be sorely missed. You are lucky to have reconnected with this very special teacher. As an educator myself, I can attest that she truly dedicated herself to her students.
Cherry P. Gamiao
I think she taught from the portables across the cafeteria. Her class was one of my favorite subjects.
Derek Quinata
My deepest of condolences to the family. Rest In Peace and Aloha Mrs Toyama 🙏🏽
Ann Adams
I'm pretty sure I took Business Law from her ~77, in the portables
Bev Vierra
Thank you for reaching out. I didn’t know her but I am sure she was honored and felt appreciated to have been remembered and spending time together.
Teri Lynn Sato
My deepest sympathy. I had her as an advisor.
Emmett Mossman
I remember when I was a student in her class. She told the class,” If I see you at the store, you must tell me you are making a wise economic decision!”
I really like her teaching and she will be missed!
Rest In Peace 🤗🙏🏾❤️
Mag Z May
Omg, condolences to her family! I had her for DECA and she was such a great teacher I loved her class. I learned so much, and I know she would be very surprised to even hear me say that.
Karyn Harada
She exuded so much positivity and joy. Always smiling, laughing and engaging. Condolences to her family ❤️
Allan Chen
Mrs. Toyama was always very caring for the students of Castle High. Please send our sincerest condolences to her ohana. It was her kindness and sincerity that had influenced the surfers, stoners, and metalheads that hung out in front her portable during lunch. I hope we all made her proud. We eventually became great contributors to society; one of the best general contractor on island, one of the most prominent if not best surfboard shaper (in the world), incredible architects, famous spear/fisherman, restauranteurs, and a geek/nerd who took a leap of faith in the Silicon Valley 🙏🏽. With Love ❤️ and Aloha 🌈 Mrs. Toyama… 💝
Craig Nakahara
Mrs. Toyama was our Advisor for the class of 1980 and she instilled us with pride, self worth, being responsible, encouraging, class spirit! She was truly a "GREAT AND INSPIRATIONAL" teacher. Always positive, checking on us, and blessed us with her terrific smile and laughter. What's so amazing is that 42 years later, she is the head HOSA Advisor and my daughter know of her, as she is currently a junior at CASTLE and has her as an Advisor in Castle' HOSA program. Talk about Chicken skin!!!
Alison Kanekuni
I will truly miss her! 💕
Kip Itokazu
Oh no…I can’t believe she passed away. 😞Mrs Toyama was my DECA teacher during my junior year @ Castle H.S. 1992-1993.
Joy Onodera
So sorry to hear. She was a fun lady
Mary Lou Meadows Hacoba
Deepest sympathy to her Family!!!
Ishmael W Stagner
Mrs Toyama. We clocked in and clocked out of her class for attendance, just like a punch clock for work.
I worked w her again in 2011 w HOSA.
She was a lively and inspiring teacher. Mahalo!!!!!
Carmael K Stagner c/o 1991
Maily Tran- Murray
Condolences to her family.
Tommy Liu
Whoa 😳 Sorry to hear that… 🙏🏼
My deepest condolences to her daughter and family. May God watched over them in these trying times 🙏🏼 🤗 ❤️🩹
She was a very caring teacher. She will be missed. 😢
Ransen Borges
Another mentor in the long list of educators that we had in our schools from K-12. Ms. Toyama you will always have my undying respect. And condolences to her family and any others who knows her.
Dawn Iwamoto
Oh no!! She was one of my favorites! I hosted our DECA class at my house where everyone came over and Mrs. Toyama and my grandma ended up doing the electric slide with everyone in my garage! Her energy was always so positive!! Very energetic!!just full of life and sharing! I will always remember her love she had for her students. We were a terrible group for her and will not bring up that situation, but she got our class to straighten up with her heartfelt humbleness and love she expressed! ❤️❤️❤️
Jennifer Vidal Elflein
Robert Morita she was my favorite teacher. Absolute favorite. 🥲
Wendy Hu
Jennifer Vidal Elflein thanks for letting me know! She was my favorite teacher as well. I am so sad she passed away 🥲
Debra Lynne Kam
My deepest condolences to her family. I did not have the privilege of having her as a teacher but I remember seeing her smiling and laughing with her students.
Laurie Otsubo-Chang
My deepest condolences to her family! I had the privilege of taking her business law class and will remember her as an outstanding educator with a beautiful smile and memorable laugh. She taught practical real life skills, like being a smart consumer, learning how to write checks and preparing our own taxes. Thank you for caring for your students and wanting to make a difference!
Dana Hosaka
Definitely one of my favorite teachers. Motivates and inspires her students. In 1977 she told me I was the youngest in her classes to pass the mock bar exam. Never went into business or law but she surely inspired me to study hard. A rare teacher who a… See more
Nancy Tamanaha
I was in her class my senior year, 1979, and remember her well. Sorry to hear of her sudden passing. May she RIP.🙏
Lisa Oki Wallrabenstein
Thank you for sharing... My deepest condolences to her family. I too took her business class back in 1983-84. She was definitely my favorite teacher at Castle. ❤❤❤ May she rest in love!
Nida Lorenzo
God rest her soul. She made a difference in her student's life.
Luka Woolsey
I am so sorry to learn about Mrs. Toyama’s passing. She was a wonderful educator that the Class of 1980 was so fortunate to have as our Advisor. She really enjoyed teaching and working with students. I joked with her that I bet she never thought she would be a mother to 715 seniors! I am forever thankful to have known such a special woman that I respected and admired as my teacher. She also gave me a hotdog lei at graduation which was so original and memorable. She is a gem that will be remembered by many. ♥️🙏🏼
Luka Woolsey
Rest in love 🥰
Charlyn Ishihara
She was our 1980 class advisor and was active and fun! She always welcomed us with open arms and always took the extra time to give us scolding in her loving, fun spirited way to keep us in line. Her classroom (portable behind band room) was always filled with students if it was open. She always had Knight pride and her contagious laugh always brought smiles and sunshine. I was the youngest of 4 siblings to have been blessed with her presence in our lives! Being the kolohe of the siblings, she reminded me how ‘well behaved’ my siblings were 😂but that I am who I am, live life with great care and purpose. She was a bright and caring teacher/advisor for all. Rest in Love Mrs. Toyama 💕
Darryl Tanaka
Mrs. Toyama was the epitome of what inspire future teachers. She taught with patience and was passionate at what she did best. Only good memories. Rest in Love , Mrs. Toyama. Take your rightful place in Heaven.
Amy Takishita Sato
RIL Mrs. Ada Toyama. In my senior year of high school, I signed up for DECA. Competed in the “General Marketing” category and won 2nd place for the state competition. She was my teacher/advisor and taught/mentored with love. She encouraged me to be the best me possible. When I think about someone who has played a major role in who I have become, this is who always comes to mind. Without her and DECA, I wouldn’t have met Ken. I wouldn’t have Todd and Lara and I wouldn’t have majored in marketing and management in college. I can’t even imagine how different my life would be, if I hadn’t signed up for that class.
This picture was the last time I saw her in person (8 years ago), but I am thankful for that chance meeting because I was able to become Facebook friends with her and see her random posts of her HOSA events. She was state HOSA advisor to the very end…inspiring so many other students to be their very best versions of themselves. Thank you for being such a positive role model to me and thousands of students, Mrs. Toyama!! You’ve made a difference in more ways than you will ever know!! ❤️ less
We reconnected for the first time in April 2022 after nearly 40 years after I graduated from Castle HS. She was the same caring person that I remembered and an even more dedicated educator than I could have ever imagined. I feel fortunate that I had the... moreWe reconnected for the first time in April 2022 after nearly 40 years after I graduated from Castle HS. She was the same caring person that I remembered and an even more dedicated educator than I could have ever imagined. I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet with her at our lunch together, but feel sad that I won't have any more opportunities to share stories about our current lives and past memories. A lot of my classmates have fond memories of Mrs. Toyama and are equally saddened by her passing. She was a positive influence on many of us and many individuals and families were better as a result of her caring and compassionate nature. A hui hou. less