Takeo Katayama, 107, of Hilo died Jan. 3. He was a retired carpenter from Sonomura Contracting. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, Roy H. Katayama and Kenneth K. Katayama; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Sadame “Sadie” Ota, 96, of Hilo, formerly of Pahala, died Dec. 29 at home. Born in Kawainui (Pepeekeo), she was retired from Ka‘u Hospital and a member of Pahala Hongwanji Mission and Buddhist Women’s Association. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughter, Vivian (Randy) Flores of Mililani, Oahu; son, Craig (Renee) Ota of Veneta, Ore.; sisters, Tsukimi (Mitsuo) Murashige and Michie Kuwaye of Hilo, Caroline (Donald) Fujii of Wailuku, Maui; brothers, Tadashi (Asako) Miki of Wahiawa, Oahu, Ernest (Kay) Miki of Honolulu and Lawrence Miki of Hilo; sister-in-law, Lillian Miki of Pahala; four grandsons and a great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Celso Valencia, 83, died Jan. 6 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired curtain-and-drapery installer for Sears. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Rosina Moanauli of Hilo; sister, Rosita Valencia Pettit of San Diego; brother, Antero Daniel Valencia of Waipahu, Oahu. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.