The reality of his impending retirement did not hit Milton Narahara right away.
It didn’t happen during the initial sit-down with his financial adviser, or the day he officially notified the higher-ups at UPS that he was putting a bow on 38 years of service. It didn’t even happen during the farewell party thrown by his co-workers the morning of his final shift last week.
No, it wasn’t until Narahara returned home that evening that he felt the import of his decision.
“I was taking off all the lei I had been given and putting a few aside to take to Punchbowl for my parents,” Narahara said. “And as I took off those lei, it was like I had taken a thousand pounds off of my shoulders. I can’t explain what a relief it is to be retired.”
It’s not as though Narahara, 59, didn’t love working for the company or was incapable of working for several more years. But the previous year had been a tough one for Narahara. Both of his parents died and the emotional drain of their deaths coupled with the 50- to 60-hour weeks that he typically worked prompted Narahara to take stock of how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
Narahara grew up in Palolo Valley and graduated from Kaimuki High School. He majored in education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa but took a break from his studies when his parents — both City and County of Honolulu employees — were sidelined for months by the 1979 United Public Workers strike.
Narahara worked three part-time jobs to help support his family, including an entry-level gig as a loader for UPS. The job eventually led to a full-time position as a driver.
Narahara has spent the past three decades delivering packages all over East Honolulu, from Waikiki to Manoa to his long-standing routes in the 96821 and 96825 area codes.
Throughout a distinguished career in brown, Narahara has set company standards for service and safety.
“It’ll be a lifetime before we see anyone like him again,” said UPS supervisor Mike Quinn.
At his retirement party, Narahara did his best to thank his co-workers for their years of friendship and support.
He has one last thank-you to share.
“I just want to thank all of my customers for their friendship and generosity,” he said. “I want to thank them for giving me water when it was hot and for giving me snacks and taking care of me. I am so grateful to have served them for all these years.”
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
