Victim, killed by mother in car accident, loved dogs

The news that a 52-year-old Makiki woman was accidentally run over Tuesday by her 86-year-old mother in Iwilei has shocked friends who say the victim helped them through trying times.

Karen Kanetoku, a nurse on the oncology floor at the Queen’s Medical Center, had a special affinity for dogs, friends recall.

"She has been such a dear, dear friend," said Vickie Kennedy, who is blind and was befriended by Kanetoku when Kennedy made regular visits to Queen’s patients with her guide dog-turned-therapy dog, Freida. "It’s been absolutely such a shock."

Kennedy added: "She went above and beyond to help you. She’s that spirit of kindness and aloha. She was very caring for humans as well as canines. Her work at Queen’s speaks for itself, but canines were a special thing for her."

Police Lt. Robert Towne said Kanetoku was helping her mother back out of a loading area at Discount Furniture Warehouse on Sumner Street when she was struck by the Toyota Highlander. She was rushed in critical condition to Queen’s, where she died.

The Kennedys, who have remained close friends with Kanetoku for seven years, received a "Happy St. Patrick’s Day" email Monday from Kanetoku, including a photo of her Havanese puppy, Emi.

Upon Freida’s death, Kanetoku helped orchestrate a celebration of life at Queen’s for the yellow Labrador retriever, including a blown-up photo of Freida signed by doctors, nurses and patients.

"During our sorrow, she tried to pick up our spirits," Kennedy said.

Kanetoku helped her mother and father a lot because her father has dementia, she added.

Kanetoku was Aunty Karen to Kennedy’s second guide dog, Angela, bringing her lots of toys.

"She was one of the kindest, sweetest animal lovers," she said. "She has a way with dogs."

While visiting a patient on the oncology floor, "Angela saw Karen," Kennedy said. "Angela was riveted to her. She didn’t want to leave Karen’s eyes. She was just staring at Karen. She just loves Karen so much. She was a dog lover to the nth degree."

Kennedy said that Kanetoku’s late dog, Tobi, was like her son, and that she had his portrait tattooed on her leg.

Karen Muranaka said Kanetoku was her nurse in four or five of her hospitalizations, and the two dog lovers developed a rapport.

After her third hospitalization, Kanetoku joked, "Oh, it’s you again."

As a nurse she was firm, but approachable, Muranaka said. "She was a wonderful person and devoted to her dogs."

"Your thoughts and prayers have to go to the family, but especially the mother," Muranaka said.