By: Anthony Perreira – ’05

Reed Yoshio Nakamura of Kula passed on January 24, 2014, after a nine month battle with cancer. Reed attended Kula Elementary School, Kalama Intermediate, and graduated from King Kekaulike High School (KKHS) in 2005.

While at KKHS, Reed was an active member of the band, playing the trombone with great prowess. Reed was also an active member of the Kiwins Club holding various officer positions.  He was also quite the scholar taking many AP classes including, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, among others. While in school, Reed enjoyed working on his family’s farm, playing airsoft, and watching anime (some of his favorites were: Bleach, Initial D, Dragon Ball and Gundam).

After graduating from KKHS, Reed attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and studied Information Computer Science. Reed created his own club named SCIO (Shogi, Cosplay, Ichigo, Otaku) in which he and his friends would film cosplay, play various Japanese games, and watch anime. Reed served as the President of the SCIO club and through it, developed many friendships.

Reed graduated in four years with a Bachelor of Science in Information Computer Science. After college, he stayed on Oahu and worked at the Outrigger Hotel as a computer programmer.

Karaoke, happy hours with friends, hiking, and playing tennis were some of his favorite pastimes. Reed was taken from us all too soon.  He was a humble, friendly, and kind individual…he also rocked an awesome Okinawan afro.

Reed’s funeral will be held at the Makawao Hongwanji on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 10:00 AM.

Editors Note: Anthony Perreira is a fellow Class of 2005 graduate and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa with Reed.  Since Reed’s passing, the Class of 2005 has honored their classmate by raising over $1,500 for his  family.