Elaine Arakaki

Elaine Sumie Arakaki, age 84 years, of Fitchburg, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Agrace Hospice Madison. She was born on July 29, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of Betty U Higa and Fred M Higa.

Elaine attended University of Hawaii and worked as a licensed optician. Her pride and joy were her family – siblings, nieces and nephews, and her own 4 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. The friendships she forged in the community, including at the Fitchburg Senior Center, were equally meaningful and treasured. She was quick to smile, offer words of praise and encouragement, and to lend a helping hand. She was an able seamstress who also crocheted and knitted, loved reading and singing along to music.

She is survived by her children, Amber (Mark) Kim-Caldeira and their son, Samuel; son, Alan Kim Jr (partner Susan) and his children, Kamei (Matthew Thall) Kim and great-grandson, Calvin, and Abigail and Daniel; son, Adam (Theresa) Kim, and their children, Kaimi, Alex, and Damian; daughter, April (Jeffrey) Oshiro, and their children, Zachary and Zane.

Also survived by her brother, Fred M (Elaine) Higa Jr and their children, Jennifer, Valerie, Vance; sister, Elva (Warren) Furuya and their daughter, Lauren; sister, Lynn (Ken) Ikehara; niece Kristen Murashige.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Fred Higa, and her sister, Joy Murashige; as well as her biological father and brother, Yeishin and Buster Arakaki.

To honor Elaine’s memory, the family kindly requests donations be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization close to her heart. Donations can be made online at St Jude Donations.

Our family deeply appreciates your love, prayers, and support during this time.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406