Frances Mitsumura

Fran Peart Mitsumura has a long history with the ocean, whether fishing, diving, beachcombing, snorkeling or boating, she has enjoyed doing it all.  Her father was an adventurous spirit and when Fran was in the 3rd grade, he sold their 5 bedroom home, bought a 46’ Chris Craft and moved 4 kids, wife and his father onto the boat where they continued to live for 9 years until his health prevented his ultimate dream to go around the world.  But while living aboard they combed Florida’s waterways, Florida Keys, the Dry Tortuga’s, and the Bahamas and while on one visit to the Dry Tortuga’s, Jacque Cousteau’s Calypso was there and it sparked a fascination of the world below for Fran.  She became a certified scuba diver and was a kid in a candy store every time she dove.

Fran moved to Maui in 1980 with her fiancé and started working in the Finance and banking industry and opened her own Mortgage Branch in 1994 in Lahaina which existed until the Maui Fire in August 2023.  Fran has been very involved in the community and non-profit organizations here on Maui throughout her 45 years on island and her involvement spanned through Civic Organizations, Art organizations and Maui’s hospital foundation.  She served as Past President with Lahaina Town Action Committee and was on the team that coordinated Halloween on Front Street which brought in over 10,000 participants annually.  She was a Director with West Maui Taxpayers Association and on the team to raise funds for the Napili Fire Station.  She was past President of Soroptimist International of West Maui and served on many committees including Whalemania.  She was a team leader on Paddlemania which used Napili Canoe Clubs used paddles and had local artists embellish them to be auctioned off to purchase a new canoe for the clubs keiki.  She was Past President for the Maui Memorial Medical Center Hospital Foundation during the time the Stroke and Vascular department was being formed and funds being raised.

Fran is still in the mortgage industry as a Mortgage Loan Originator with First Hawaiian Mortgage Co. of Hawaii, a dba of Highech Lending Inc. and has a small flower farm in Upcountry Maui with her husband Don.

Joining PWF is an opportunity to rekindle her fascination with the ocean and give back to the mammals that have given her so much joy.