Virginia “Ginny” Alvesta LaRocca, 95, of Kailua-Kona died April 18 at home. Born in Wichita, Kans., she was a retired business owner. Private service. No flowers. Memorial donations to Hospice of Kona, P.O. Box 4130, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745. Survived by daughters, Cheri (Kenny) Fogarty of Kailua-Kona, Pam (Ron) Maxwell of Texas; son, Jack (Kathy) Kagel of Louisiana; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Virginia “Ginny” Alvesta LaRocca, 95, of Kailua-Kona died April 18 at home. Born in Wichita, Kans., she was a retired business owner. Private service. No flowers. Memorial donations to Hospice of Kona, P.O. Box 4130, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745. Survived by daughters, Cheri (Kenny) Fogarty of Kailua-Kona, Pam (Ron) Maxwell of Texas; son, Jack (Kathy) Kagel of Louisiana; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Elizabeth “Libby” Naihe Paalua, 80, of Kohala died April 25 at home. Born in Kohala, she was a retired bus driver for Bragado Bus Services and member of Kalahikiola Congregational Church, North Kohala Senior Citizens Club, Kohala Senior AC Club, Na Kupuna O Kohala–Moku O Keawe and Kupuna of Na Kalai Wa‘a. Visitation 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Kalahikiola Congregational Church, 53-540 Iole Rd., Kapaau. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Aloha or casual attire. No flowers. Survived by husband, Sylvester “Sonny” Paalua of Kohala; daughters, Nalani “Nani” Okubo, Colleen (Scott) Henne, Blace (Edwin) Valenzuela, Elsie (Eric) Dela Cruz, Jan Paalua and Miu Lan Paalua of Kohala; son, Ryder Paalua of Kona; daughter-in-law, DeeDee Sasaki of Kona; brothers, Robert (Daisy) Naihe and Joseph (Kathy) Carvalho of Hilo, Herbert Naihe of Ewa Beach, Oahu; sisters, Maggie Gonsalves of California and Gladys Berrios of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Blanche Naihe of Pennsylvania, Lillian Naihe of Hilo, Linda Naihe, Anna Mills, Helen Sing and Rose Coit of Kohala; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Louisa Ann Kalaauala Nathaniel Reff, 55, of Hilo died April 27 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a dental assistant for Milton M. Fujiuchi, DDS and member of Haili Congregational Church, the Nakoas softball team and Kai Malia Canoe Club. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Haili Congregational Church. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Aloha attire. Survived by husband, Erick Reff Jr. of Kapoho; daughters, Andrea Reff, Ericka Reff and Jericho Reff of Hilo; hanai daughters, Kaleimaile Robia of Lahaina, Maui, and Leonani Nahooikaika of Haleiwa, Oahu; mother, Ann Nathaniel of Hilo; brothers, Marvin White, Glenn White, William Nathaniel Jr. and Jonathan Nathaniel of Hilo; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michael “Smokey” Stephen Marquez Schotz, 36, of Kailua-Kona died March 22 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in San Diego, he was a surf instructor and waterman. Celebration of life 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Kahaluu Beach Park main pavilion. Paddle-out ceremony at noon. Luncheon to follow. Lei and loose flowers welcome. For info, call Paul at 557-0665. Survived by mother, Gretchen Strong of Burnsville, Minn.; father, Barry Schotz of California; brother, Brian Schotz of California; hanai father, Howard Hofelich of Kailua-Kona; hanai brothers, Paul Hofelich and Daniel Hofelich Holualoa, Charles David and Jason Scroggin of Kailua-Kona; hanai sisters, Bridgette Hempster and Julia Kempe of Kailua-Kona; extended family. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Irene Kaehukai Tripp, 89, of Hilo died April 23 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hamakua, she was a retired housekeeper. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1373 Kilauea Ave., Hilo. Celebration of life service at 10:30 a.m. Survived by husband, Robert K. Tripp Jr. of Hilo; son, Henry (Keala) Tripp of Makakilo, Oahu; daughters, Joyce Johansen of Las Vegas, Charlene (Koli) Kauvaka of Ewa Beach, Oahu, Wanza (Fetu‘u) Falevai of Kahuku, Oahu, and La Rue (Siotame) Lauaki of Laie, Oahu; 30 grandchildren, 63 great gran dchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Laura Hing Yuen Lai Yong, 99, of Volcano died March 23 at home. She was born in Puuehue, Kohala, she was a hostess at Volcano House and member of Volcano and Mountain View senior citizen clubs, Chinese Civic Club, Hawaii Chapter #1 Order of Eastern Star, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and attended Kilauea Military Camp Chapel until closure and Puna Covenant Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Urn committal service and burial at noon Monday, May 11. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by children, Lana (Hal) Jones of Geneva, Switzerland, Kingston (Joy) Yong of Dallas and Mahealani (Jack) Yong-Snell of Volcano; sisters, Hing Oi Lim of Aiea, Oahu, and Kay Kong of Honolulu; sisters-in-law, Irma Lai of Kohala and Jean Lai of Las Vegas; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.