Obits for March 26

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Arnold Branco, 78, of Hilo died Sunday, March 18, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honokaa, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Visitation from 8-10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Lehua Section. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Patricia “Pat” Perreira Branco of Hilo; daughters, Debra (Alex) Tejada of Hilo, Donna (Russell) Pacheco of Hilo, and Daylynn Branco-Kyles of Hilo; brothers, Joseph (Gay) Alameida of Kona, and Alfred Alameida of Honokaa; sisters, Alice Obina of Honokaa, and Lovina (Bob) Carvalho of Pahoa; sister-in-law, Joyce Branco of Hilo; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Arnold Branco, 78, of Hilo died Sunday, March 18, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honokaa, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Visitation from 8-10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Lehua Section. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Patricia “Pat” Perreira Branco of Hilo; daughters, Debra (Alex) Tejada of Hilo, Donna (Russell) Pacheco of Hilo, and Daylynn Branco-Kyles of Hilo; brothers, Joseph (Gay) Alameida of Kona, and Alfred Alameida of Honokaa; sisters, Alice Obina of Honokaa, and Lovina (Bob) Carvalho of Pahoa; sister-in-law, Joyce Branco of Hilo; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Ofelia “Oping” Martinez Maltezo, 64, of Honokaa died Tuesday, March 13, at home. Born in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a housekeeper for Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. She was also a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Visitation from 3-6 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Honokaa; Prayer service at 5 p.m.; all-night vigil to follow at family residence. Visitation from 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the church; Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.; Burial to follow at Honokaa County Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Policarpio “Johnny” Maltezo of Honokaa; son, Allen Maltezo of Honokaa; daughters, Nenita Maltezo of Honokaa and Joy (Hank Aki) Maltezo of Waimea; brother, Robert (Teresita) Martinez of Honokaa; sister, Aida (Concordio) Mabanag of Honokaa; three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

James Sunao Otani, 66, of Hilo died March 8 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was retired from Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) as an engineering planner, U.S. Army Reserve member, and Air National Guard retiree. He was a member of the Kuulei Kumiai, volunteer at the March of Dimes, and volunteer and CPR instructor at American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Visitation Friday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo from 9-10 a.m.; Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, JoAnne Sakado Otani of Hilo; son, Alden (Mika) Otani of Honolulu; daughter, Kristi (Loren) Bisel of Hilo; brother, Mel Otani of Hilo and Peter (Sandie) Otani of Honolulu; sister, Peggy Ota of Honolulu; five grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Helen Shizue Shimabukuro, 98, of Hilo died March 18 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Paia, Maui, she was retired from the former Hilo Grill and a member of Hui Okinawa. Private services held. No koden. No flowers. Survived by son, William Shimabukuro of Hilo; sister, Yoshiko Nako of Hilo; three grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Kazumi Tatsugawa, 93, of Hilo died Wednesday, March 7, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kaumana City, he was a mason. Private services held. No koden, no flowers. Contributions can be made to the Hawaii Food Bank in Hilo or Kona. Survived by son, Terry (Diane) Tatsugawa of Kona; daughter, Samantha (Wade-Ira) Shimizu of Hilo.