Brian Sunao Takano was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 18, 1946. He passed away at the age of 74, on March 21, 2021. Brian was an inspiration to all who crossed his path and his is a story of struggle, hard work, triumph, and legacy. At the age of 21, a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Confined to a wheelchair, he eventually gained partial movement in his upper body and use of his arms. Through sheer determination and grit, Brian paved a new path for himself as an artist and wood carver. Despite not being able to move his fingers, he taught himself how to hold a chisel and he practiced on bars of soap. As his skill and confidence grew, he started to carve wood and would do this Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays he sold his driftwood face carvings from the hood of his car at the side of the road in Kane'ohe. He later sold his carvings in shops in Waikiki and eventually saved enough money to open and start his own business, The Woodcarver. Brian produced many works of art for locals, tourists, and celebrities that continue to be enjoyed to this day. Despite all his wonderful creations, what friends and family will remember most about him is his smile, his kindness, his generosity, his inspiring nature, and his humility. He is survived by his wife Celia Mendoza, daughters Lanie Richmond, Natalie Webster, Lana Schneider, brother Eddie Takano, and sisters Joanne Irwin and Darilyn Mackenzie.