Shiro Hirayama, 94, of Paukaa died at the Hilo Medical Center on Sunday, March 16. Born in Papaikou, he was a retired carpenter with Hicks Homes, a member of the Local 745 Carpenter’s Union and a U.S. Army veteran of
Shiro Hirayama, 94, of Paukaa died at the Hilo Medical Center on Sunday, March 16. Born in Papaikou, he was a retired carpenter with Hicks Homes, a member of the Local 745 Carpenter’s Union and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Private family services held. No flowers or monetary donations. Survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.
Gayle Johnson, 72, of Kurtistown died March 21 at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center on Oahu. Born in Ohio, she was an elementary school teacher and member of the Keaau Hawaiian quilting club (Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Hilo). Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Community Church A/G in Hilo; Potluck to follow. Survived by husband, Ed Johnson of Kurtistown; daughter, Erica (Dan) Jensen of Kurtistown; son, Chris Johnson of Kurtistown; and two grandchildren.
Morris Isamu Kihara, 93, of Hilo died Jan. 4 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Hilo, He was a retired postmaster at the Papaikou Post Office; parishioner of the Church of the Holy Apostles; past director for the Waiakea Soil and Water Conservation District; charter member and past treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #6 Hilo; past finance chairperson for the DAV Hawaii State Executive Committee; veteran of the U.S. Army, Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion during WWII and a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Congressional Gold Medal. Friends may call from 3-–4 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo (1407 Kapiolani St.); Memorial service at 4 p.m. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers and koden, donations may be made to either the Easter Seals Hawaii in Hilo or Church of the Holy Apostles. Survived by daughters, Patricia (George) Simonsen, Janice Kihara, Susan (Larry) Bennett; sister, Shizuko (David) Ikawa; sisters-in-law, Itsuko Kihara, Yoshie Kihara; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ruth C. Nakamoto, 92, of Waimea died at the North Hawaii Community Hospital on Wednesday, March 19. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and a member of the Kamuela Hongwanji Mission. Private services held. No flowers, monetary donations. Survived by sons, Ronald Nakamoto of Hilo, Ray (Sharon) Nakamoto of Waikoloa, and Alan (Joni) Nakamoto of Waikoloa; daughters, Ilona (Mark) Haggerty of Kamuela, Mae (George) Ikeda of Pahoa, Doreen Nakamoto of California and Viola Alfson of Arizona; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.
Ronald “Zeke” Ezekiel Santos Sr., 66, of Laupahoehoe died Saturday, March 8, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pepeekeo, he was a former plumber for Parker Ranch and a cane truck driver, water hauler and mechanic for the former Hamakua Sugar Company, and a member of Family Christian Center in Hilo. Visitation from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers. Survived by, wife, Geraldine “Gerry” Santos of Laupahoehoe; daughters, Rondalyn Rivera of Hilo and Shelly (Daniel) Vallespin of Laupahoehoe; son, Ronald (Melanie) Santos Jr. of Hilo; brother, Walter Santos of Hilo; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.
