Valerie Usui Ishiyama, 57, of Hilo died Dec. 1 at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Honolulu, she was the owner of ilovehawaiianfoodrecipe.com and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 13) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Tyson (Kehau) Usui and Robby Ishiyama of Hilo; mother, Mildred Kabalis of Hilo; sister, Joslyn Kabalis of Kealakekua; brothers, Sodi (Carla) Kabalis, Rudy (Ruth) Valentino and Derek (Petty) Valentino of Hilo; a granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Juanito “Larry” Samante, 84, of Pahoa, formerly of Ewa, Oahu, died Nov. 26 at home. Born in Ewa, he was a retired control operator for Hawaiian Cement on Oahu, worked for the former Ewa Plantation and was a U.S. Army veteran and Waipahu High School Class of 1951 alum, who enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Memorial service 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Leeward Community Church, 1860 Komo Mai Dr., Pearl City, Oahu. Private Hilo memorial service and celebration of life at a later date. Survived by wife, Bernalda Samante of Pahoa; sons, Tommy (Vivian) Samante and Darren Samante of Honolulu; daughters, Zelda Samante and Stephanie Samante of Maui, Carla Samante of Honolulu, Deneen Samante (Christopher Kalani) Lowe of Pahoa and Camile Samante (Ronnie S.) Gonzales of Port Aaron, Calif.; brothers, Benny Samante of Honolulu, Paul Samante of Waipahu, Oahu, and Alfredo Samante of Ewa Beach, Oahu; sisters, Chris Samante and Fe Samante of Hawaii; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.