Dr. Murata Eyes Retirement

On January 1, 2022 when most people welcome the new year, Dr. Clarence Murata will close his optometry practice in Haleiwa after 42 years. Anyone wishing a referral to another eye care practitioner should call his office at 808-637-5048.

Born and raised in Haleiwa, he attended Haleiwa Elementary and Waialua High & Intermediate School where he graduated in 1968. He then attended the University of Southern California for his Bachelor’s degree then moved on to Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon where he graduated in 1977.

Says Dr. Murata, “My goal was to always come back and practice in Haleiwa.”

Upon his return, there was no space available in Haleiwa. He spent his first years working in an optical lab until he was able to share office space with Dentist Dr. Fred Sunahara at the former office of Dr. Rodman Miller. After more than 20 years at that location, he moved to his present location.

“A lot of people I attended school with have patronized me over the years. Now some of their sons and daughters and their families have been coming to see me. It has been gratifying that many of my classmates, many of my former teachers from Haleiwa Elementary School and Waialua High & Intermediate School, and so many members from the community have trusted me with their visual care.”

Dr. Murata has witnessed quite a transformation in Haleiwa over the years. As a longtime North Shore Chamber of Commerce member, he has had the opportunity to share many childhood memories with Barbara Ritchie from the chamber’s Historic Preservation Committee. She often has used him as a resource to help identify people in archival photos.

“One time the person she asked me to identify was my mother!” he says.

Looking forward to slowing down, Dr. Murata plans to work part-time filling in for eye doctors going on vacation. He is also planning to spend more time in his yard, play more golf, and do more traveling when pandemic restrictions are lifted. Perhaps he might return to Japan, or explore Australia and New Zealand. Most of all, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Karen, a retired Punahou School teacher, and his daughter Kathryn, a recent recipient of a Master’s degree in International Relations and Studies now working at the East-West Center.

“My goal has always been to help the people in the community, and I believe that I have done it. That makes me very happy.”