Lisa Matsumoto

Family-Placed Obituary

Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary, LLC LISA Y. MATSUMOTO Age 43, passed away on Dec.14, 2007. She was the playwright of the award-winning trilogy "One Upon One Time" as well as "Das How Come", "The Princess and the Iso Peanut" and "On Dragonfly Wings". In 1995, she co-founded a non-profit organization, 'Ohi'a Productions, to provide creative, educational experiences for the children of Hawaii. Their Educational Road Shows promoted cultural and environmental awareness in an entertaining way to Hawaii's school children. She was also an author and in 1996 received the Ka Palapala Po'okela Award for Excellence in Children's Books for "How the B-52 Cockroach Learned to Fly" and in 2000 for "Wailana the Waterbug". In 2000, she also received the Elliot Cades Award for Literature for the exceptional quality of her work. She won Po'okela awards for leading actress as her role as Da Wicked Queen in Once Upon One Time, for original scripts in Happily Eva Afta, Das How Come and the Princess and the Iso Peanut. She also received a special adjudicator's award for her outstanding contribution to Oahu's theatres. Lisa was a caring and giving person and it showed in her relationships both on and off the stage. She knew how to bring out the best in people and brought the spirit of "ohana" to those who knew her or worked with her. Through her books, videos and plays, she leaves behind a legacy of joy, laughter and believing in possibilities. She has touched the hearts of so many people and she will be dearly missed not only for her musical and literary talents, but for her special gift of unconditional love. As she would say, "This is not goodbye…just 'til another day!" She is survived by parents Yukimasa and Jennifer Matsumoto; sisters Lori Nasu and Leigh Sturgeon; brother-in-laws Clifton Nasu and Randal Sturgeon; nephews Bryce and Darren Nasu and best friend Howard Furukawa. MEMORIAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2008 AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HONOLULU AT KO'OLAU AT THE KO'OLAU GOLF CLUB IN KANEOHE. 3:00 PM VISITATION, 4:00 PM SERVICE. NO FLOWERS. ALOHA ATTIRE. Updated on 01/16/2008.