Duane Kealii Auwae, 64, of Ewa Beach, Oahu, died Feb. 17 in Ewa Beach. He was born in Hilo. Service 1 p.m. Sunday (March 11) at Carlsmith Ocean Park. Scattering of ashes to follow at Four-Mile Beach. Survived by daughter, Julia (Keoni Kapana) Dahlgren; sisters, Maile Mauhili, Henrietta (John) Miranda, Jewellyn Mary Leialoha, Charlotte (Bano) Keotadlas and Rae Awai; brothers, Henry (Geri) Auwae, Allen (Riva) Auwae, Marks Auwae, Charles Auwae, Ronald (Judy) Auwae Sr. and Norman Kema; two granddaughters.
John Baji, 84, of Keaau died Feb. 2 at home. Born in Honokaa, he was a retired construction worker and U.S. Army veteran. Graveside committal service noon Wednesday, March 14, at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 for Mr. Baji and his wife, Patricia Baji, who died Nov. 29, 2012. Casual attire. Survived by hanai son, John Branlund of Hilo; stepdaughters, Mary Madrigal of Mountain View and Deborah (Wilkie) Hayashida of Pahoa; stepsons, Timothy Creason and Jeffrey Creason of California, James (Danielle) Creason of Tucson, Ariz.; brother, Marshall Baji of Honolulu; sister, Cecilia Ogata of Hilo; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Murphy Joanes, 61, of Ocean View died Feb. 24 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Ujelang, Marshall Islands, he was a protestant reverend and member of the Kona Ka‘u Marshallese Church-Jarin Rarik Dron. All-night vigil 4 p.m. Friday (March 16) at Jonithen Jackson’s home, Princess Kaiulani Boulevard in Ocean View. Visitation continues at the home 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17. Graveside service and burial 3 p.m. at Naalehu County Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Netty Joanes of Ocean View; sons, Jamesbond Joanes, Jackton Joanes and Hilton Joanes of Ocean View, Joanes Peter of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Limina Joanes of Ocean View; brothers, Kosma (Selitha) Joanes of Marshall Islands, Kenson Joanes of Ocean View and Jebitka (Elsie) Ioanes and Levity Joanes of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Emily Joanes of Kealakekua, Linda (Ben) Wabol of Saipan, Miako (Benson) Gideon of Ocean View and Darling Ioanes of Kailua-Kona; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mathew “Braddah Mat” Gregorio Malapit, 65, of Kailua-Kona died Feb. 9 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, he was a finish mason for Hawaii Precast, entertainer for Splashers Grill and former member of the band Kona K Blend. Celebration of life 9 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at Kona Imin Center in Holualoa. Service at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow. Survived by wife, Andrea Malapit of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Mahea (Ekolu) Jensen of Kawaihae, Rachel Marler, Amanda Marler and Paula Wigzell of Kailua-Kona; son, Kaleo (Jessica DeMello) Malapit of Kalaoa; brother, Magdalino (Lisa) Malapit of Kealakekua; hanai mother, Beverly Morrison of San Diego; hanai brothers, Pancho Kuanoni of Kailua-Kona and Abraham Malapit of Holualoa; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Fortunato Espidido Paghiligan, 79, of Hawi died Feb. 22 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Marikina City, Rizal, Philippines, he was a retired kitchen steward at the Hilton Waikoloa Village and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Kohala Senior Citizens. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi. Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Dominga Paghiligan of Hawi; daughters, Edith (Alfredo) Bulacan, Nerissa (Manuel) Angeles and Marife (Joseph) Magcuro of the Philippines, Susie (Madonel) Pascual of Texas, MariaTeresa (Matias Jr.) Pascual of Hawi; sons, Luis (Wilma) Paghiligan and Dennis (Shyala) Paghiliganl of the Philippines; brother, Renato Bernardino of the Philippines; sisters, Beng Bicomong of Italy, Neli (Federico) Del Castillo, Sophia Trinidad and Elena Bernardino of the Philippines; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and hanai family. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Survivors of the late Marshall John Coltes Balles include brother Moses (Tina) Balles. His name wasn’t submitted for an obituary published Thursday.