I have been visited many times by Mahito in the last year. Always playful, climbing, smiling. I feel as though I’ve never truly grieved for him, because I’ve never not felt him. In any case, the most important thing to me is that he is proud of me. He was a tough nut to please. […]
As dream after old forgotten dream is coming true, I feel compelled to whisper “Thank you.” My friend, you encouraged me to take the risks to live the adventurous life I really wanted. I often went the route of logic and safety instead. You accepted my decision every time. I assumed that I had made my choices […]
The first night my husband and I met the big man was the night before an Arroyo Seco hike….He said come on along it will be a great time! I asked what shoes I should wear, hiking, running, or boots? He said, “Ahhh, I always wear flip flops! That’s not a tough hike!” So off […]
My wedding was a beautiful day. By a stream that rolled through a giant pine tree farm in Twain Harte, Ca. I am so glad it was small and intimate, all the people I really needed to be there were there. There were less than 50 people at my wedding, and everyone there made their […]
This was a stormy drive back up to Monterey. I took the 1 and listened to Sinatra all the way up. I got to Mahito’s after dark, opened a bottle of wine and hopped in the hot tub. The next morning would become one of my fondest memories. It was a beautiful, cold, clear Monterey […]
We were at Boca reservoir for Staceys birthday, after a good day of riding we were relaxing around the fire. The campsite down from us was a little rowdy, but no big deal, just kids having fun. Later in the night we heard a pretty nasty argument between a man and woman, followed by sounds […]
I have made it most of the way through the day without tears, so let’s see if I can get through this. Conversations, images, moments, and memories have absolutely monopolized my brain for the past five days. I met Mahito ten years ago, and he was from the beginning and continued to be a rock […]
In traditional Japan, older kids took care of, entertained, and otherwise babysat younger kids, so in our mountain, Mahito, who was generally the oldest kid around, often got stuck with a gang of littler ones. I think that’s part of the reason that he had so much fun with his friends’ kids–he’d practiced for years […]
Beautiful Video of a Memorial Paddle Out for Mahito: Mahito Memorial Paddle Out
Mahitopalooza is almost here! Date: Saturday, January 15 · 5:00pm – 11:00pm Location: CSUMB University Center Ballroom Bldg. 29, 100 Campus Center Dr. Seaside, CA For ticket and other information, please go to: http://www.mahitopalooza.com/Mahitopalooza/Welcome.html
We used to build forts. When we were little, and when it was cold out, we would use tinkertoys. We had those giant tinkertoys, the old wooden ones that were three feet across, and could be shoved into spherical joints to build homey cubes, which we covered with blankets and sheets. Outdoors we built homes […]
This weekend, at our SBR memorial service for Mahito at the park, we all gathered on the trail to pay our last respects. My youngest son, Bear as Ma called him, was so like Mahito as a child. According to Mahito, he didn’t like clothing, …and almost never wore shoes. He was busy exploring and […]
When we were kids, Mahito & I (and eventually Aiki) would head out into the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree. The perfect Christmas tree had to be symmetric, with evenly spaced branches, and no gaping holes that would require creative decoration to disguise. It would take us hours, and we would wander […]
Mahito was always up to volunteer and help us out at the race track…. He worked with the SCRAMP IT Department this summer doing technical repairs under Jeremy Staab. So if Laguna Seca can do anything to help with Mahitopalooza, PLEASE let me know. Here at the track we will miss the big man for […]
Today was a day Mahito dreamed of having. A huge bbq, tables of food, sushi, beer, kids, a bounce house, sunshine, music and all of the people he cared about. I am honored to have him in my life and will strive to carry on the kind and generous way he lived his life. I […]
The last time I met Mahito was almost 6 years ago, the night before Yang’s final day. I had not seen him for a long time. I was really surprised that he became a strong and very nice guy. I had to look up at him because he was much taller than me. I could […]
I never had a chance to sit and talk with you so I wanted to take a moment to let you know what Mahito meant to our family. We loved him so much and have so many wonderful memories. He spent a lot of time at our home with our two boys. Some days, it […]
Steps toward a Mahito Shirako Scholarship have been/are being taken. Although the applicants are going to have a hard time meeting the application requirements! Filling the shoes of a big ass half japanese, half german, dirt-bike riding, sushi loving, turkey-frying beast of a man can’t be too easy! Greg Hamer
I don’t remember the first time I met Mahito, but it was in ’98. I ended up in one of his friend circles in the oddest way. After high school I was in the Navy and after that I went to UC Davis. I was miserable there and most of my friends were gone so […]
In Memory of Mahito Shirako Mahito came into my life over a dozen years ago when he was a freshman at CSUMB. He became involved with Otter Days as a student facilitator and he took courses in the Outdoor Recreation program where he got certified to SCUBA dive. He also took courses I taught in […]
Dear friends, Thank you again for making Mahito’s bye-bye party so wonderful. My family was overwhelmed twice in the past week and a half—first by Mahito’s sudden passing, and then by the overflowing of help and support we received from Mahito’s many, many friends. We love you all. I know that Saturday probably wasn’t what […]
Posted on behalf of Seika Shirako, Mahito`s father Text from the reading: HOW MAN SHOULD REVEAL HIS INNER SELF Man is originally a spirit from God, and not a karmic existence. He lives under the constant guidance and protection provided by his Guardian Deities and Guardian Spirits. All of man’s sufferings are caused when his wrong […]
If one calls 582-5201 there is a voice mail where Mahito says his name. I know this will not bring him back, but hearing his voice may be worthwhile.
From Don Kiser (one of Mahito’s day-to-day co-workers and former lead) A couple of pictures that you might want to post, I would but don’t know how. Mahito was a friend to every living thing. One day Mahito and myself were walking past the back of bldg 47 and heard something in the dumpster. Upon […]
Mahito Shirako (1979 – 2010) http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thecalifornian/obituary.aspx?n=mahito-shirako&pid=146562080 Mahito Shirako, 31, of Marina, passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, as a result of a tragic dirt biking accident while riding in the Hollister Hills. He was born June 25, 1979. Mahito was a graduate of CSUMB in 2005. He worked as an AV Specialist at CSUMB, which […]
Hello, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for sharing their love and experiences in this forum. The staff and volunteers at Hollister Hills have been significantly impacted by Mahito’s death and a lot of us have been glued to this thread hoping to get just “one more picture” or just “one more […]
Friends, coworkers and family of Mahito Shirako, a CSUMB alumnus and employee who died Sunday, Nov. 7, in a motorcycle accident, have organized both a Celebration of Life barbecue and a scholarship fund to honor his memory. In addition, grief support services will be provided from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in the […]
Friends of Mahito are sharing their stories in other places too (get your tissues ready before using some of these links): http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102375 http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102365 Images Mahito posted to South Bay Riders http://www.jasonleveque.com/2010/11/i-remember.html Mahito on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahito/ Mahito on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mahito Mahito on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mahitos Please share your Mahito related links as a comment below.
With support from the Shirako family, a Memorial Scholarship account has been established in Mahito’s honor at California State University, Monterey Bay. For anyone who wishes to make a donation in Mahito’s name: Mail a check made out to “University Corporation” with “Mahito Shirako” written on the remarks line on the lower left front of […]
Not sure where to start. I’ve known Mahito for almost 10 years. I have all kinds of fond memories of Ren Faire, sitting in his backyard, laughing with him, working with him on projects at work. When I got engaged to my fiance and started figuring out who I wanted to be in my wedding […]
I don’t have many grandiose stories of Mahito, but I do have memories. I ended up meeting Mahito when he was an RA in building 201. He was definitely a different guy back then, but his attitude was infectious. He was also just as crazy. I remember him and Bryan Schaefer running around climbing trees […]
-The first time I met you, you had dyed your hair to look like a ladybug 🙂 -Our many hiking adventures on the Big Sur River -The time there was a little green lizard that was too close to the trail so you fashioned a lasso out of a long piece of grass, looped it […]
What: Celebration of Life Event for Mahito Shirako. When: Saturday, November 13th, Noon Where: Grassy area behind 726 Henson Court, Marina CA 93933 Please join us and share your favorite Mahito stories and memories. It will be a potluck, so please bring a side dish if you are able. Shuttle Service/Parking: We have arranged shuttle […]
I like to imagine that Mahito will be with every new biker/motorcyclist who is excited, terrified, or nervous before his/her first ride. He will be the wind wrapping around them, running through their hair as they experience the joy of flying down the road on their newest love. In this picture I see him as he […]
Once upon a time, on the Monterey Bay, Myrsha and I got stuck out in the artichoke fields looking for the best view of a very full moon. It had been raining for days before we headed out on our adventure… and little did we know the fields were still giant mud puddles. Once we […]
This is one HAPPY guy and I know he’s dancin’ in the flames wherever he is now. The world is a much richer place because of what he brought and shared every day with everyone he met… Big shoes for us all to fill in the future… God Bless. Steven Mann
The most fun I ever had in a single weekend had to be our trip to Pismo in 2007. Mahito loaded up the truck with wood and we set out to camp on the beach all weekend. It was a wild weekend in the sand, I remember Mahito drove my truck around a bit and […]
We created this wordpress blog to allow us to share our favorite memories. Mahito was a great friend to us all and I know we all have great stories and pictures to share, feel free to use it as you see fit. It will be here forever. For access, check Mahito’s facebook page or email […]