Vernon Dede Jr., 56, of Kailua-Kona died Oct. 28 at home. Born in Bossier City, La., he owned a Kwik Kar automotive repair shop in Bedford, Texas, and was an Ironman finisher in Houston. Celebration of life and potluck 2-4 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 5) at Kona Vistas Recreation Center, Pualani and Lako streets in Kailua-Kona. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Mary Dede of Kailua-Kona; son, Wes (Jenna) Dede of Las Cruces, N.M.; mother, Else Dede of Keller, Texas; sisters, Diana (Allan) Heinle of Denver and Patricia (Paul) Larmon of Colleyville, Texas; brother, Robert (Deanna) Dede of Keller. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Kiku Sakoda, 95, of Pahoa died Oct. 14 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Kumamoto, Japan, she was a homemaker and member of Puna Hongwanji Mission and Pahoa Higashi-Machi Kumiai. Visitation 4-5 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 7) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 5 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by daughters, Ethel (Carl Nishimura) Deguchi of Hilo, Janet Ikeda of Pahoa, Doris (Jake) Bender of Sharpsburg, Md., and Elsie Sakoda of Honolulu; daughters-in-law, Mae Sakoda and Peggy Sakoda of Hilo; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Donna “Mommy Donna” Saiki, 81, of Hilo died Oct. 16 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Ore. Born in Durand, Wis., she was a retired principal at Hilo High School, Waiakea Intermediate School and Keaukaha Elementary School, teacher at Waiakeawaena Elementary and Pahoa schools, former executive director of Pacific Tsunami Museum, member of Hawaii Island United Way, Hospital Visitation and Holy Communion for Hospitalized Catholics, Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church, Leleiwi Community Association, Hilo High School Alumni Association and honorary member of Hawaii State Alpha Delta Kappa. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 9) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 6 p.m. Visitation again 8-10 a.m. Friday (Nov. 10) at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Scattering of ashes Saturday, Nov. 21. Survived by stepdaughters, Luana Kawelu of Hilo and Leinani Andrade of Hilo; stepson, Francis “Bo” (Millie) Saiki of Hilo; sisters, Carole (Jack) Komro of Durand and Patricia Webster of Spring Valley, Wis.; 18 grandchildren; great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Helen K. Tayamen, 80, of Waiohinu died Oct. 27 at Life Care Center of Kona. Born in Waiohinu, she was a planter crew member for the former Ka‘u Sugar and cashier at Luzon Store. Visitation 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ka‘u Ward in Naalehu. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Naalehu County Cemetery. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by husband, Prudencio Tayamen of Waiohinu; sons, Harlan Tayamen of Naalehu, Clayton (Connie) Tayanem of Mountain View, Afton (Sylvia) Tayamen of Holualoa and Galen Cajigal of Honolulu; daughters, Tessie (Floyd) Paeyerneers of Anderson, Calif., Adele Tayamen of Missouri, Thelma (Walter) Bacxa of Holualoa and Janelle Costa of Kailua-Kona; 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Amante Viernes, 78, of Kailua-Kona died Oct. 16 at home. Born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he was a driver for A &L Taxi, houseman for Mauna Kea Beach and King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach hotels, dishwasher at the former Kona Surf Resort, laundry attendant at Royal Kona Resort and member of International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Visitation 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona. Mass at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by wife, Leticia Viernes of Kailua-Kona; sons, Dominic Cacal and Alvin Viernes of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Aleli (Perry Kealoha) Viernes of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Romeo (Esther) Viernes and Andres (Rosario) Viernes of the Philippines; half-brothers, Steven (Brenda) Viernes of Kohala and Jay (Bonnie) Viernes of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.