BIOGRAPHY

Dorothy Kuroiwa was born in Kona District, Hawaii, USA, on 12 February 1906, to Japanese-born parents, Mankuro and Kiyo Hayami. She grew up working on her father’s coffee farm in Kona and had three sisters and four brothers, including Katsuo (half-brother), and three others named Hatsuyo, Manji, and Hayako. Even in her advanced years, she fondly remembered riding in a horse and buggy. As a teenager, she moved to Oahu to attend business school.

She married Masato “David” Kuroiwa (1901–1981) on 3 April 1926, at 20. Together, they had four children: Walter, Kenneth, Caroline Harada (1930–2022), and Doris Noda. She was the owner of Nuuanu Floral Shop.

At 107, she was still preparing her own breakfast and lunch, maintaining a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fresh fish, and the occasional boiled egg. Apart from a daily multivitamin, she took no medication. Though she occasionally used a walker, it was only at the insistence of her children. She grew up working on her father’s coffee farm in Kona and had three sisters and four brothers. Even in her advanced years, she fondly remembered riding in a horse and buggy. As a teenager, she moved to Oahu to attend business school.

Dorothy Kuroiwa passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, on 3 November 2016, at the age of 110 years, 265 days. She was survived by her four children, as well as 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg and Eli Logan, and validated by LongeviQuest on 8 March 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Youthful exuberance” – Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 2 July 2013

* “HAPPY 110th BIRTHDAY!” – Hawaii News Now, 8 March 2016

* Dorothy Masayo Hayami Kuroiwa – Find A Grave

GALLERY