Pamela Kelly Kawai

Pam (Hashimoto) Kawai, loving wife, devoted mother, and gentle friend, passed away on July 13, 2024, at the age of 56, after a courageous 15-month battle with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. A non-smoker, Pam's journey reflects the struggles faced by many non-smoking Asian women against this devastating disease.

Born in Los Angeles and grew up in Gardena, CA, Pam attended Denker Elementary, Perry Jr. High, Gardena High School and ultimately graduated from UCLA with a degree in Mathematics. After college she worked a number of years for a local South Bay company exporting electronic peripherals to Japan and ultimately landed at Epson as a Product Manager for Business Projectors. She had a successful career, but her greatest joy came from being a wife and mother.

Survived by her husband of 23 years, Todd Kawai, and their three beloved children, Sammy (21), Micah (19), and Hannah (16), Pamela dedicated her life to her family. She selflessly prioritized their needs, sacrificing her own career aspirations to ensure her children thrived. She spent countless hours tutoring them, helping with homework and projects, and nurturing their dreams.

Pam was known for her kind and caring nature. Friends often described her as a joy to be around—a kind soul who always had something positive and encouraging to say. She was sweet in demeanor and generous with her time, caring deeply about fairness, animals, and the well-being of those around her.

Pam is also survived by her mother, Hiroko Hashimoto; her sister, Monica Quan; brother-in-law Greg Quan; and her niece and nephew, Ashley (Davin) and Tyler Quan. 

A Celebration of Pam's Life will be held on September 7th at Calvary Chapel Palos Verdes at 11:00 AM. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather and share their cherished memories of this extraordinary woman.

Pam Kawai will be profoundly missed, but her legacy of kindness, love, and gentleness will continue to inspire all who knew her.

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