Clarence Yutaka Shimoko

CLARENCE YUTAKA SHIMOKO

Clarence Yutaka Shimoko, known to many as the Ambassador of Ala Wai Golf Course, passed away on February 28, 2009, at the age of 74. He surely deserves a mention in the latest edition of the Guinness World Records as one who golfed at least 300 days a year for 36 years before kidney cancer ended his remarkable run.

He was an inventive and visionary entrepreneur and very proud to be a U.S. veteran. He is survived by Masuzu, his wife of 53 years, - sons; Leonard and Michael, daughters; Violet Anderson and Lynn Yuasa. He is also survived by his siblings; Florence Sakai, Doris Haneda, Rodney Shimoko and his grandchildren; Lee Anderson, Mathew and Patrick Shimoko, Jason and Allyson Yuasa.

Shimoko was born in Honolulu on June 14, 1934, to Donald Shiro and Fumie. Clarence moved to Yamaguchi Prefecture during the war, returned to Hawaii and graduated from McKinley High School in 1953. He served in The U.S. Army during the Korean War.

The most notable invention by Shimoko was developing the idea of freezing saimin noodles. In 1963, he and his wife Masuzu, founded S&S Saimin. Many will recall Shimoko promoting his saimin by sending 20 youngsters to Disneyland annually with Checkers & Pogo. In 1981, they expanded their product line to include Aloha Maid juices. The products continue to enjoy success in the supermarkets today. Shimoko retired in 1987 after selling S&S Saimin and Aloha Maid Juice to Ito En, USA, Inc.

Shimoko anticipated the karaoke craze in Hawaii and imported the first 8-track cassette tape karaoke equipment from Japan. He sponsored an amateur singing program called the "S&S Junk Show" on KIKU TV which ran for 15 seasons.

Shimoko's 12,000+ golf run began in 1969 at the Leilehua Golf Course where he shot a 122. A year later he shot a 78 at Ala Wai and continued to hold a 7 handicap until his last round in the summer of 2008. In 1994, Shimoko was the low qualifier from Hawaii and played in the USGA Senior Amateur in Louisville, KY. He had seven hole-in-ones, the last in Japan in April of 2008.

Shimoko is likely sitting atop a palm tree at Ala Wai, watching and enjoying his family and friends play golf.

A celebration of life for Clarence Yutaka Shimoko will be held at 5:30 PM on Monday, March 16th at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse. Program to commence at 6:30 PM. Attire: Golf Attire or t-shirt, shorts and rubba slippas.

Mr. Sonkyo Nomura hosted the Shimoko Cup in Japan for the past 11 years. He will host the 12th Annual Shimoko Cup this year at the Ala Wai Golf Course in honor of his late friend. The family will also host a benefit golf tournament to support cancer research on July 16, 2009, at the Ala Wai Golf Course.