Carmel Lee Kama, retired teacher

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A funeral service for Carmel Lee Kama, a retired Hawai'i public-school teacher and longtime community volunteer, is set for 2 p.m. April 18 at Olivet Baptist Church.

KAMA

Kama died March 30. She was 74.

She was born on May 3, 1929, in Honolulu and was a graduate of McKinley High School. Kama received her bachelor's degree and teaching certificate from San Francisco City College.

Kama began teaching in Hawai'i in 1955. She taught science at Castle High School, health at Kaimuki Intermediate and health and P.E. at Jarrett Intermediate. She taught at Wai'anae High School until her retirement in 1983.

Kama was dedicated to community service.

She was a Red Cross swimming instructor and also taught first-aid classes. During the summer, she was an instructor with the city's Summer Fun program.

She also helped with Nanakuli's Neighborhood Security Watch Program as well as the Republican Party.

Kama was heavily involved in church programs at Olivet Baptist Church and Nanakuli Baptist Church. She worked for several years as the office manager and cook's helper at the Puu Kahea Baptist Conference Center.

After her retirement from the public-school system, Kama earned a master's degree in religious education from the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mills Valley, Calif.

During the 1991-92 school year, Kama taught music at the Samoan Baptist Academy in American Samoa.

Kama is survived by her daughter, Victoria Ong Mizumoto; son, Arthur Lee Ong; sisters, Adele Kaplan of Florida and Dorothea Char of California; brother, Ben Lee of California; and three grandchildren.

Aloha attire is requested for the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.