Lourdes Calantoc Balicoco, 94, of Pahoa died Nov. 5 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Sarrat, Philippines, she was a flower picker and packer at Kuwahara Nursery, papaya farm owner and member of Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass at 7 p.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei welcome. Cremation to follow. Urn burial 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery. Survived by son, Cirilo (Maria) Rarogal of Honolulu; adopted son, Robert Balicoco of the Philippines; hanai son, Jimmy (Linda) Bernardo of Pahoa; adopted daughter, Luzminda (Jun) Obano of the Philippines; hanai daughter, Luzviminda B. Durkan of Keaau; stepdaughters, Violeta (Jun) Calaranan of the Philippines and Norma (Arsenio) Alcon of Honolulu; brother, Alfredo (Holly) Calantoc of Minnesota; stepmother, Elma Calantoc of Orchidland; stepsister, Dhonna Marie Calantoc of Orchidland; sister in-law, Frances Calantoc of Hilo; 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Brian Isoo Kitagawa, 63, of Waimea died Nov. 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was president and CEO of I. Kitagawa and Co. Ltd., parent company of Kamaaina Motors, Kamaaina Nissan, Kona Auto Center and Parts Center Hawaii, member and immediate past-president of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, member of National Automobile Dealers Association and treasurer of Chrysler Minority Dealers Association. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Nan Kitagawa of Waimea; son, Ian Kitagawa of Hilo; daughter, Jillian (Joe) Kuczora of Ridgecrest, Calif.; brother, Bruce Kitagawa of California; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sherman Lee Kobayashi, 75, of Hilo died Nov. 12 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired adult corrections officer at Kulani Correctional Facility, member of Lincoln Wreckers Athletic Club and U.S. Army and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Private services held. No flowers. Survived by wife, Lorraine Kobayashi of Hilo; son, Gayne (Keri Ann Tomita) Kobayashi of Hilo; daughter, Gayla (Eric Kai) Kobayashi of Hilo; brothers, Michael Kobayashi, Sheridan Kobayashi, Terrill (Gail) Harrison and Thomas (Elaine Nakatani) Harrison of Hilo; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Tadashi Masuhara, 75, of Hilo died Nov. 7 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Aiea, Oahu, he was a retired principal at Hilo High School, educator, University of Hawaii at Manoa alumnus, earned a Ph.D at Ohio State University, was a hunter and fisherman and member of the Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo. Visitation 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Judo Club or Hilo High School Foundation. Survived by wife, Charlene Masuhara of Hilo; daughter, Janel Masuhara of Hilo; sisters, Karen Higuchi of Honolulu and Cora Sakai of Hilo; brother, Myles (Lynde) Masuhara of Hilo; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Eleanor Anastacia “Leialoha” Reyes Mata, 80, of Hilo, formerly of Honolulu, died Nov. 21 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired waitress for the former Naniloa Resort Hotel and bowler at the former Hilo Lanes who traveled the world with her bowling league. Private services held. Survived by sons, Leroy “Moki” Larinaga Jr. of Honolulu, John Kapahu, Dexter (Lily) Kapahu, Jack Larinaga and Gilbert (Christine) Mata of Hilo; daughters, Lisagaye (Michael) Leiwalo of Washington state, Michele (Aaron) Drumright of Honolulu and Rochelle (Patrick) Leslie of Hilo; daughter-in-law, Lei Kapahu of Honolulu; 49 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter; nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.