Mike Sakamoto who was one of the very first artists to give a new local website called HawaiiArt.com a chance to show his work passed away this week at 59 after a battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. There are few artists on our site that I actually get to meet but Mike insisted, along with sandwich’s and drinks which he brought to ensure that my girlfriend and I would not go hungry. That’s who Mike was. A giver and the type of person who always made sure those around him were provided for.
Mike was best known as a fisherman due to the locally produced fishing TV program entitled Fishing Tales with Mike Sakamoto. I knew him as an artist who felt that it was more important to make his work and talents available to those that loved art rather then artificially increasing the value of his work though attitude and artistic elitism. Mike was a great local guy, with a love of people, and a natural talent with a rod, reel, or paintbrush.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo. Friends may call after 1 p.m. at the mortuary.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, memorial donations be made to the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, 150 Hamakua Drive, Kailua, HI 96734.
