A true Warrior — Betty Hwa-Won Hiraki
Betty Hwa-Won Hiraki attended tailgate parties, wore Rainbow Warrior shirts, and unabashedly root-root-rooted for the home team.
But it was Betty who was worthy of our cheers.
She was one of Korea’s first female martial-arts stars, whose accomplishments are still celebrated by a fan club 40 years later.
To Betty, fame was the easy part. Her courage was measured when she and her daughter left Korea for a land where she did not know the language or culture.
But Betty, as always, did adjust, and then thrived. She opened a popular restaurant and her own clothing store. And she met her great love, Randy Hiraki (whom we know as BG on this blog), and shared his passion for all things UH sports.
For nearly a decade she fought cancer and, dammit, it won again. But she fought the good fight the way she approached everything — with optimism, diligence, and grace.
A memorial is scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 28, at Mililani Mauka Chapel. Gathering begins at 5:30 p.m. The service starts at 6:30 p.m. Aloha attire is preferred.
Yes, Betty was such a wonderful person indeed.
Always smiling and ever so gracious.
My sincere aloha to Randy and family.
…nuff said.
ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
Betty was always with a smile on her face and made everyone around her feel good. She will be missed.
Never met Betty, but RIP. I hope the warriors get a win for you this Saturday.
Didn’t know Betty, but my heartfelt condolences to hubbie BG, family and friends on her passing.
ST:
Do you (or anyone else) have a picture of Betty?
Some of us may know her by face but not by name.
May she rest in peace!
RIP … my sentiments are the same as #3 “Pono” … hope the ‘Bows get the “W” for you …
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Yes, it is time to bid Betty a peaceful journey. After 91/5 of battling this awful disease, she left us peacefully. Betty was the true Warrior.
A ton of healing energy to BG and his family from M/M NorthShoreFan.
Thank You to the blog host to publish this.
IMUA BG!
Betty personified the phrase ” beautiful inside and out”. She had the soul of an angel and the spirit of a Warrior. Randy and her family have also been extraordinary in their support of Betty.
Condolences and the love of ke akua to Randy and all of Betty’s ohana.
Good Morning Tsaikos….
Yep. Betty was awesome….I used to love teasing her about all the dirty Korean words I knew….as well as all the Korean food I wanted her to cook for the tailgates….She always gave it back to me too…and she did bring awesome Korean food to the tailgates.
We will miss Betty…but she will always be with us in our memory and in our
hearts…
On another note….
Don’t forget about Satuday’s T-Gate. If you haven’t been to one, all are welcome to join us. Lots of food, fun, family, friends, and football. The early crew usually starts the grill up around 9:30 – 10:00. This week we are doing an Asian theme….so come on down. Also, BYOB.
Mrs. A-House…will probably bring Miso Pork chops so I’ll save one for you.
GO WARRIORS!!!
Another UH angel rooting from the sky box seats.
Rest in Peace Betty.
My condolences Hiraki ohana.
Prayers and positive thoughts for Betty, BG, family and friends.
Aloha, Betty. Continue to cheer loud and proud with the rest of the heavenly Warrior faithful!
My late grandmother was 100% Korean.
Her name was Betty.
This blog entry caught my attention.
RIP Betty Hwa-Won Hiraki.
I love being one-quarter Korean.
After my grandmother passed away, the whole family started watching Korean soaps and listening to K-Pop.
I watched enough Korean dramas to last me a lifetime, looking after my grandmother until she went to bed.
I am more of a Park Chan Wook fan. “The Vengeance Trilogy”. The same people who watch Korean soaps, won’t watch “Old Boy” and “Lady Vengeance”.
Aloha Betty. R.I.P. Condolences to the Hiraki ohana.
Aloha Betty, it’s time for you to R.I.P, you’ve had a long journey and you battled to the end, LiveAloha and my condolences to Randy and his Ohana.
My condolences to BG, family, and friends. Betty, may you be at peace now, your family and friends will always remember the good times with you and the strong enthusiasm for Rainbow Warrior sports. Although we never met I know of losing family and friends, it takes a while but eventually we can feel better about life again. Again best wishes to you BG, and let’s hope for a big win for the Warriors football team.
GO WARRIORS!!!
For sometime now, my thoughts and prayers have been focused on the courage this woman displayed during her battle with Cancer. I always thought that if anyone could emerge the victor, it would be Betty Hiraki. My wife and I are truly saddened by her passing, and offer our sincerest condolences to the Hiraki family.
I, too, never met Betty Hiraki, but thanks to the comments on this board I know a little more about this courageous and special lady. She will surely be missed by family and friends.
If this is the same Randy Hiraki I once met a long time ago, my deepest condolences go out to you. God bless.
Condolences to BG’s ohana.
Betty was a martial artist? Wow, I thought she was a delicate singer.
Kapahulu — not many photos of Betty in the archives, but here’s one of Betty, BG, and LizKauai with The Punchbowl Kid singing… Click here for photo
We will miss you Betty
Great Afternoon All.
Aloha and RIP Betty.
Such a beautiful soul and Warrior spirit.
She truly was a special person.
Mrs. d1shima and I join other Tsaikos who wish for healing for BG and Ohana who must surely be feeling the effects of a broken heart. 🙁
we, too, add our deepest sympathy to BG and his family for the passing of Betty who seemed like a very delicate person unbeknownst that she could very well kick-my-ass!
wonder what the pitcher felt when she went out to “hit” him for beaning BG in a softball game?
she will be missed by all who knew her!
My condolences to the family and our Warrior ‘Ohana! This is a first class move sharing this wonderful story with the Faithful! Go Warriors! Start moving in the right direction as a program for supporters and die-hards just like her! #IMUAOHANA
Sometimes life decides to cross a path with ours unexpectedly. Just to give us a different perspective on our journey. Sometimes its to remind us what courage is or what its like to never give up despite insurmountable odds. Maybe its to appreciate the beauty and the many blessings we already have in our lives. Or perhaps to give back on behalf of so many who gave to you.
Thank you Betty for crossing your life’s path with mine. May our paths cross again in another lifetime. Love you BG. Blessings to your ‘Ohana.
Thanks for sharing that Stephen. We all connected as Rainbow Warrior fans, as Hawaiʻi people. Betty sounds like one of the great ones. RIP.
My sincere condolences to BG and family for their loss. Although this is not a happy occasion, it is still nice to see so many of the old time (and new time) Tsaikos make their presence felt.
FYI, Betty and Randy (BG) are the couple that appears on the Haleakala Solar commercial.
Dan-O: regarding the 2 SD-Titan tickets; text me at 415-324-0585.
My condolences to BG and family.
RIP Betty. My condolences to BG and family. Her presence will be felt at this weekend and future games.
My condolences and prayers to BG and family. Betty will always be in your hearts.
NCAA Sanctions for UH: All this time, waiting for them to say they will be reconsidering???? Too late, damage done, kids transferred, and playing shorthanded this year. But for the big boys? Quick slaps on the wrist. North Carolina, Syracuse, Louisville. SMH
Deepest condolences to you and your ohana, BG. Betty was special, and we all are deeply saddened to hear of her passing.
20. Which photo is it ? RIP, Betty.
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” The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team’s postseason ban and other penalties for the coming season must be reconsidered, the NCAA announced this morning in a news release of a decision by its Infractions Appeals Committee.
UH’s fate is now back in the hands of the NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions, but with the recommendation of using a “less stringent” penalty structure.”
http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/28/sports/sports-breaking/uh-hoops-ban-must-be-reconsidered-ncaa-appeals-committee-declares/
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
So, will they come with new sanctions before the season starts? I got some real estate I’d like to sell you.
Read of s school who provided their basketball team with some “dancing” ladies and other “goodies”. They got a slap on the wrist. No sanctions or penalties. NC falsified classes and grades, still no penalties. NCAA say it was not that serious.
Numerous instances of inequitable treatment by the NCAA.
Do schools really need to be a member of this corrupt organization in order to play sports?
If schools decided not to be a member of the NCAA, would they be able to form their own league? ESPN and the major networks would still be interested in telecasting the games.
Sad to see anyone leave before their time. Rest in peace and condolences to the family of Betty.
some where in the USA there is a young, talented, unabashed, smash-your-mouth attorney who will take on the NCAA on Federal discrimination charges which will “open” the NCAA to all other possible infractions they have not even contemplated
that is the beauty of a Federal discrimination civil action — it opens “pandora’s box” for all to see
Condolences to BG and Ohana and of course all who crossed paths with her-
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