Bernard Matsumoto

Obituary

Bernard Matsumoto died on August 2, 2026, doing what he loved: wing foiling off Kauaʻi. He was 70 and lived in Līhuʻe. A boat captain and true waterman, he grew restless and grumbling whenever a cut or a sprain kept him on land more than a few days, counting down until he could get back in the water.

The third of eight children, Bernard was born and raised in Kailua to Shigenori and Midori Matsumoto, hard workers who raised their children the same way. He grew up surfing and getting into trouble with a crew of friends he was still calling sixty years later. Somewhere along the way, he came to Kauaʻi and never left.

Bernard introduced tourists and locals alike to the Nāpali Coast for more than 35 years as a captain with Captain Andy’s. The beauty of the coastline was rivaled only by his unique charm: cracking jokes, laughing at his own punchlines, and ensuring everyone left with a story. Even after retirement, he joined the Hawaii Pilots Boat Association and guided incoming vessels to Nāwiliwili.

When he wasn’t mastering sailing, surfing, or foiling, he was making something new. Handy, creative, and resourceful, he could turn a surfboard into an outdoor shower or build a chicken coop out of pallet wood.

Bernard was also, literally, a lifesaver. He pulled several people out of Kauaʻi’s dangerous waters who would not have made it out otherwise. He never made much of it. Their families did, staying in touch across decades and calling to catch up the way old friends do.

Bernard kept his friendships alive talking story. In the age of texting, if he hadn’t talked to someone in a while, he’d call with no occasion. “Ho hammah” was the universal greeting.

Bernard and Jodi’s story started twice. The first was in 1983, when Jodi — newly arrived on Kauaʻi — met Bernard on the beach at Poʻipū. They shared a beer and a sunset, then went their separate ways. Six years later, Bernard walked into the art gallery where Jodi worked, and the spark rekindled. They married on the shores of Lake Tahoe in 1991, with a reception at the Coco Palms Hotel. A year later, they welcomed Carly Midori, followed three years later by Kainoa Lewis. Bernard taught them to swim, to surf, to play volleyball, and to laugh. Most of all, he passed on his aloha spirit.

He answered to Bernard, Ber, Bernie, Bernardo, Uncle, and Big Daddy.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Shigenori and Midori Matsumoto. He is survived by his wife, Jodi; his children, Carly and Kainoa; and his siblings, Conrad, Steven, Ann, Robert, Jackie, Margaret, and Timothy.

He will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Celebration of Life

Join us to celebrate Bernard's life on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lunch will be served, and refreshments will be provided. BYOB if you like drink plenty!

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