The fascinating life of Takuji “Tommy” Sarashina is captured in Lahaina author Howard Fields’ book “Tommy’s Wars — Paradise To Hell And Back.”

LAHAINA — The life of Takuji “Tommy” Sarashina truly manifests the inherent kindness and strength of the human spirit.

Born on Sept. 3, 1925 to Rev. Shinri (Lahaina Hongwanji Mission) and Toshiko Sarashina, Tommy and his four siblings spent their early years in Lahaina and on Oahu.

In 1936, while Rev. Sarashina remained on Oahu, the family moved to Hiroshima, Japan.

World War II soon broke out, and Tommy served in the Japanese Army. He was captured and imprisoned with fellow Japanese soldiers in Siberia, suffering inhumane conditions until their repatriation to Japan in 1947.

The family also suffered the devastation of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during this time.

Many people of Japanese ancestry suffered in the indignities of internment camps in the U.S. Mainland with no communication with their families in Japan.

After persistent efforts to regain United States citizenship, Tommy was able to return to Maui in 1971, along with his wife, Miyoshi (“Sally”).

His life pathway led him to the trade wind-swept Kaanapali Resort and the manicured paradise of the golf courses there. He began working as a course marshal on the two Kaanapali courses. For decades, Sarashina was fondly known as “Tommy Tang,” in reference to his hospitality in offering the refreshing drink to golfers from his cart.

Thus, after years of unconscionable horror in Siberia, Tommy Sarashina became the glowing ambassador of aloha on the rolling carpet greens of Kaanapali.

Takuji “Tommy” Sarashina passed quietly to the next kingdom on Dec. 4, 2022, and a memorial service was held last month at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, where his father and family served the Buddhist faith community for many years.

His life is succinctly captured in Lahaina author Howard Fields’ book “Tommy’s Wars — Paradise To Hell And Back.”

Tommy states in the epilogue, “I want to thank all of the people who helped me along the way, my family for helping me recover after Siberia, the friends of Hongwanji who helped Sally and me start our new lives in Lahaina, all of the people I met over the years at the golf course — the golf course people are like family to me.”

Takuji Sarashina is beloved by many: temple friends, neighbors, Lahaina Town acquaintances and golfers who fondly remember Tommy Tang.

He is survived by his brother Junji in California and sister Mariko in Japan.

A service was held at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission on Friday, March 24, 2023.

At the request of the friends and family of Takuji, donations (no flowers, please) may be made to Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, P.O. Box 458, Lahaina, HI 96767.