Masatsu “Masa” Kawamoto, 98 of Hawi died Aug 1. Born in Kohala, he was a U.S. Army World War II veteran of the 442nd Infantry Regiment Co. I, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Private services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by wife, Eunice; son, Maverick (Eunice) Kawamoto of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Janette (Timothy) Snelling of Hawi; sister-in-law, Margaret Kawamoto of Waimea; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Aurora Jean King, 80, of Hawaii died July 31 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Dallas, she was owner of Cliff Johns Gallery, an oil painter and a writer. Private services. Survived by son, Michael Bellows of Whittier, Calif.; daughter, Valerie (James) Cash of Alabama; sister, Betty Gerstner of Captain Cook; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Donn Kiyomi “Kish” Kishimoto, 64, of Hilo died July 3 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a former carpenter, co-owner and installer for BNK Rain Gutters and member of Nohea Kumiai. Private memorial held. Survived by wife, Evelyn Kishimoto of Hilo; daughter, Rachel (John-Patrick Kea) Kishimoto of Hilo; brother, Randall (Wendy) Kishimoto of Hilo; sisters, Karen (Frank Jr.) White of Pepeekeo, Phyllis (Derrick) Tsukayama of Kailua, Oahu, and Laurie Kishimoto of Honolulu; mother-in-law, Sueko Yorita of Hilo; brother-in-law, Gerald Yorita of Hilo; sister-in-law, Nancy (Howard Jr.) Kelly of Hilo; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Katherine Verly Piilani Hopfe Pabre, 84, of Kealakekua died Aug. 3 at Life Care Center of Kona. Born in Hilo, she was a retired salesclerk at ABC Store and worked at Ben Franklin Store, the former Kona Surf Resort and Gift Shop, Ace Hardware, the former Beneficial Finance Company and was a U.S. Army veteran. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by sons, James (Ashana) O’Sullivan of Arizona, Dino (Lisa) Pabre of Kauai, Harold (Blanche) Pabre Jr. of Salt Lake, Oahu, Alika Pabre of Napoopoo and Wade (Mapuana) Pabre of Kealakekua; hanai son, Manuel Florino of Hilo; daughters, Lynnette Pabre of Captain Cook, Laurie (Gabby) Pabre-DeCasa of Kailua-Kona and Lisa Pabre of Salt Lake, Oahu; sister, Leinani Kalima of Keaukaha; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Naves Santiago Jr., 85, of Kailua-Kona died Aug. 6. Born on Maui, he was a state insurance investigator. Private services pending. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by companion, Janice Percick of Kailua-Kona; brother, Gilbert (Millie) Santiago of Alabama; sisters, RoseMarie “Linda” Pohina and Camilla Santiago of Hilo, Krisann (Sam) Dean of Hawi. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Masako Tanabe, 101, of Keaau died Aug. 5 at home. Born in Kurtistown, she was a homemaker, anthurium grower and member of Puna Covenant Church. Private services. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Michael (Nina) Tanabe and Joel (Donna) Tanabe of Hilo; daughters, Gail (Gerald) Tomosawa of Mililani, Oahu, and Gwen (Eugene) Narimatsu of Hilo; sister, Kikue Akiyama of Honolulu; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandsons; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rose Leilani Toribio, 87, of Hilo died Aug. 3 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she retired from Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Private services for immediate family. Survived by sons, Pablo Jr. of Glendale, Ariz., and Elroy (Crystal) of Papaikou; daughter, Roxanne Leilani (Kenneth) Batten of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Violet Baquiring of Paauilo and Anne Kalahiki of Kaneohe, Oahu; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yaeko “Jean” Wakimoto, 97, of Hilo died Aug. 1 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of Hilo Meishoin and Piihonua Community Association. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Wesley (Janet) Wakimoto of Hilo; daughter, Cathy (Richard Kihara) Thompson of Hilo; brother, Toshiharu (Judy) Hamane of Oahu; sisters, Satomi Hiura of Hilo, Ellen (Walter) Inouye and Mary Aoki of Oahu; sisters-in-law, Amy Hamane of Hilo, Ann Hamane of Oahu and Kikuyo Nakano of Hilo; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
