Sr. Laola Haunani Hironaka

HIRONAKA
Sr. Laola Haunani Hironaka, F.M.I., passed away January 17, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas. A member of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist Sisters), she was the first American to join the community in 1949. Sr. Laola was born in Oahu, Hawaii to Denichi and Lillian Hironaka, and is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Rathburn and Lydia Lake, both of Oahu, Hawaii, several nieces and nephews, and the Marianist Sisters in her community. Sr. Laola studied at the University of Hawaii for three years before entering the congregation, while finishing her studies at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. After obtaining her degree in Philosophy, she was sent to make her novitiate in Sucy-en-Brie, France, and pursued further studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. She professed vows in 1951, and returned to Somerset, Texas, where she taught at St. Ann's School for a short time before being assigned to be principal in Tokyo, Japan where she served for twenty years. She then returned to the United States to pursue graduate studies at Berkeley in San Francisco. During that time she became involved with Amnesty International USA, working tirelessly for those seeking asylum and had a passion for working for justice for all. Having taught at St. Louis High School in Honolulu and Central Catholic Marianist High School in San Antonio until she retired, she continued to help those in need. When the Hurricane Katrina victims were sent to San Antonio, she visited them daily at the different centers and brought them solace with her accompaniment and help. Most recently, she had become involved in working for victims of trafficking. A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009 at Roy Akers-Zizik Kearns Funeral Chapels, 515 N Main Ave., and a rosary will be recited that same evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Marianist Residence Chapel, St. Mary's University, followed by internment at the Marianist Cemetery at St. Mary's University. The Marianist Sisters express their deep appreciation to Christus Hospice and the staff at St. Francis Nursing Home for the wonderful care they provided for Sr. Laola during her brief illness. Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.mem.com