LaVerne Healani Kealoha Ah Ching, 83, of Honokaa died Aug. 12 at home. Born on Kukaiau Ranch, Hamakua, she was a homemaker, full-time mom and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honokaa Ward. Visitation 8-11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honokaa. Services at 11 a.m. Aloha attire; flowers optional. Private cremation. Survived by sons, Melvin Ah Ching Jr. of Honolulu and Randal Ah Ching of Las Vegas; daughter, Sandra (Patrick Prieto) Ah Ching of Honokaa; hanai sister, Verna Mae Branco of Hilo; sisters-in-law; Clara Kealoha and Shirley Kealoha of Honokaa; brother in-law, Joseph Pung of Honokaa; one grandchild; cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
LaVerne Healani Kealoha Ah Ching, 83, of Honokaa died Aug. 12 at home. Born on Kukaiau Ranch, Hamakua, she was a homemaker, full-time mom and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honokaa Ward. Visitation 8-11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honokaa. Services at 11 a.m. Aloha attire; flowers optional. Private cremation. Survived by sons, Melvin Ah Ching Jr. of Honolulu and Randal Ah Ching of Las Vegas; daughter, Sandra (Patrick Prieto) Ah Ching of Honokaa; hanai sister, Verna Mae Branco of Hilo; sisters-in-law; Clara Kealoha and Shirley Kealoha of Honokaa; brother in-law, Joseph Pung of Honokaa; one grandchild; cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hedy Zyna Tamamoto Alvarado, 50, of Hilo died July 24 at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. She was born in Honolulu. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. Scattering of ashes to follow. Casual attire. Survived by parents, Shinsuke and Rose Tamamoto of Hilo; brothers, William Mathewson and Raymond Mathewson of Honolulu, Jason (Yvette) Tamamoto of Salem, Ore.; sisters, Yvonne Mathewson and Verna Iliwaalani of Hilo; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joseph Kanakamaikai Jr. 73, of Ocean View died July 30 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Pepeekeo, he was a retired tour driver for Jack’s Tours, Robert’s Tours and the former Grayline Tours, worked for Kiyosaki Trucking and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ka‘u Ward. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Daisy Leimona Kanakamaikai of Hilo; son, Kim Kanakamaikai of Hilo; daughters, Robin Makuakane-Hall of Kurtistown, Kuuipo Kanakamaikai of Mountain View, Holly Kanakamaikai of Waimea, Serenia (Casey) Santana, Tiana Pacheco-Kamalii, Cheyenne Pacheco-Kamalii and Lovey Shannon Pacheco-Kamalii of Ocean View; brother, Melvin Kanakamaikai of Kona; hanai sister, Shirley Golden of Kurtistown; 27 grandchildren, 36 great -grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, one aunt; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jeannie Sakoda, 79, of Hilo died July 25 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Japan, she was a homemaker. Services held. Survived by brother-in-law, Douglas (Mae) Sakoda of Pahoa; sisters-in-law, Peggy Sakoda of Hilo, Jean Nakamoto of Kona, Jane Ikeda and Ethel (Carl Nishimura) Deguchi of Pahoa, Doris (Jake) Bender of Maryland, Elsie Sakoda of Oahu; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Esperanza “Espie” Valdez Sebastian, 81, of Pahala died July 25 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she retired from Mauna Loa Macadamia Orchard and was a member of Pahala Community Filipino Association. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Cremation to follow. Survived by husband, Ricarte Sebastian of Pahala; daughter, Letty-Julie (Edwin) Mitsunaga of Pahala; son, Pablo (Ely) Sebastian of Pahala; brother, Elpidio (Patricia) Valdez of Philippines; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Toshiko Uekawa, 93, of Honomu died July 29 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of Honomu Hongwanji Mission. Services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by sister, Tomoe Tokeshi of Hilo; brother, Satoru Yamashita of Aiea, Oahu; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Barney “Uncle B” Michael Santiago, 62, of Hilo died Aug. 15 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kohala, he was a retired control operator for HELCO, plant worker/truck driver for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co., coach of Good Times Softball Team and a regular on the beach. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday (Aug. 28) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 6 p.m. Celebration of life continues at 11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 29) at Richardson Ocean Park. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Travis (Charis) Santiago and Justin (Joyce) Santiago; daughters, Chelsea (Gavin) Pamarang and Vanessa (Nolan) Agliam; father, Frank Santiago Sr.; brothers, Frank Santiago Jr. and Steven (Lydia) Santiago; eight grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.