Willie Kapahikaua Kalei, III, 57, of Hilo, died April 21. Born in Fort Dix, N.J., he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. He also worked as a community builder facilitator for the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center,
Willie Kapahikaua Kalei, III, 57, of Hilo, died April 21. Born in Fort Dix, N.J., he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. He also worked as a community builder facilitator for the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, a case manager for the Hilo Family Guidance Center, a youth development specialist for the Salvation Army Family Intervention Services, a men’s anger management facilitator for family crisis shelter, and an irrigation manager for the Ka’u MacNut Farms. He was a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, the Kamehameha Canoe Club, the Panaewa Hawaiian Homelands Community Association, the Panaewa and Keaukaha Farmers Association, the Panaewa Neighborhood Watch, and the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Hilo. Community service work included the 3rd Circuit Court’s Families in Transition program, the Parent Project, the Kamoleao Laulima Community Resource Center project. He was also a coach for canoe paddling, girls soccer and Pop Warner football. Visitation from 5-6 p.m. Friday at the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, 1407 Kapiolani St, Hilo; celebration of life at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the church; memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Scattering of ashes at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 2 at Kamehameha Canoe Club, Hilo. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Donnalyn N. Kalei of Hilo; sons, Trace K. Kalei of Orchidland, William K. Johns of Hilo and Edward M. Johns of Bangkok, Thailand; daughters, Hope N. Kalei of Orchidland, Heather N. Kalei of Waimea and Jacqueline K. Johns of Hilo; mother, Bernadette “Lani” (Erwin) Chase of Hawaiian Paradise Park; brother, Samuel (Kathy) Kalei of Honolulu; sisters, Katherina (Ron) Mendenhall of New Mexico, Mary Francis Kalei of North Carolina, Iwalani Kalei of Hilo and Barbara Jean (Robert) Nesbitt of Hawaiian Acres; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ty Tsugio Motobu, 53, of Hilo, died April 23 at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hilo, he was a former manager for Consolidated Theaters, Minit Stop and Kamaaina Distribution. Friends may call from 4-5 p.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo; memorial service at 5 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Michelle Motobu of Hilo; daughters, Theresa (Bernard) Hay of Mililani, Oahu, and Taya Motobu of Hilo; mother, Chiemi Motobu of Hilo; mother-in-law, Diana Kealoha of Hakalau; sisters, Chana (Paul) Motobu of Fremont, Calif., Mari Motobu of Honolulu; brothers-in-law, Arnold (Thuy) Martines of Honolulu, Nolan (Michelle) Martines of Hilo, Dayton (Brandy) Kealoha of Washington and Brandon Kealoha of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Lori Martines and Leenette (Hawaii) Kealoha, both of Hilo; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Earl “Baba” Edward Willett, Jr., 30, of Hilo, died April 20 at Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo. Visitation from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary. Casual attire. Survived by companion, Kehaulani Rodrigues; father, Earl (Lisa Nobriga) Willett, Sr.; step-father, Harold Silva; brothers, Harold (Adrianna) Silva, Jr., Earl Boy (Alicia) Willett, David (Gena) Willett and Kingsley (Kai) Willett; sisters, Rose (Keo) Nactor, Francesca Willett, Laylene (Autumn) Willett, Loretta (Ronald) Lopes, Cherylyn (Miguel) Puga, Joslyn Silva, Sheylyn Botelho and Mapuana (Matt) Victorino; grandparents, Charles and Marilyn Willett; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hanako Gladys Yoshimura, 97, of Hilo died May 13 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a Japanese language school teacher, a retired pre-school teacher at the Church of the Holy Apostles Day Care, a teacher for the Ohara School of Ikebana-Hilo Chapter and was a recipient of the Japanese Cultural Treasure Award. She was a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Kyodan and Fujinkai, Dana Project, Coordinated Service Companion Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Hawaii Government Employees Association Retirees, Keaau Senior Citizens, Keaau Nutrition Center, and the Kaumana Rise Association. Friends may call from noon-1 p.m. Sunday at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 1 p.m. memorial service. Casual attire. No flowers. Survived by daughter, Betty Ann Yoshimura of Hilo; brother-in-law, Yoshio Koji of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Hisako Yoshimura of Pahala, Dorothy Yoshimura of Waianae and Mildred Yoshimura of Maui; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
