Robert “Bobby” James Balga Sr., 77, of Mountain View died Jan. 15 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a first class union painter. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb.6, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Seating is limited. Face masks and social distancing required. Casual attire. No flowers. Survived by wife, Faye Nalani Balga of Mountain View; daughter, Downy (Curtis) Sylva of Waimea; sons, Frank (Dorothy) Balga of Pahoa, Robert Balga Jr. and Peter (Shari Ann) Balga of Mountain View; sisters, Emily (Benjamin) Pascual of Hawaii, Rose (Mark) Gomes and Patricia (Richard) Long of Kailua, Oahu; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stevenson Nigi Sing Chew, 64, of Mountain View died Jan. 23 at home. Born in Kona, he was a diesel mechanic with Hawthorne Pacific, member of ILWU Local 142 and U.S. Army veteran. Celebration of life 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Kahalu‘u Beach Park. Survived by wife, Ann Marie Chew of Mountain View; son, Jerome Chew of Hilo; daughters, Stefanie Brown of Oregon, Rachel Chew of Hilo and Catherine Chew of Kona; brothers, Myron (Christine) Chew of Ka‘a‘awa, Oahu, Joseph Chew of Alabama and Douglas Chew of Honolulu; sisters, Shirley (Duane) Green of Texas, Edmae (Lane) Bryson of Idaho and Violet McCorvey of Texas; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Faustino Gadia Gani Sr., 94, of Keaau died Jan. 19 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a papaya farmer and formerly worked for Puna Papaya Co. and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday, Feb.12, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Wake service at 6 p.m. Visitation again 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by wife, Flordelina Gani of Keaau; sons, Alfredo (Nerrie) Gani, Villamor (Cheramy) Gani Sr. and Faustino (Linda) Gani Jr. of Keaau; daughters, Dionisia Galvez, Norma Alviento, Nilda (Dominador) Galdones and Sonia (Enrico) Tejada of Keaau; brother, Gabat Gasalao of the Philippines; sisters, Feling Gasalao and Caring Viernes of the Philippines; 27 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and three-great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gina Lei Kaheiki Mahoe, 64, of Pahoa died Jan. 23 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a former bus driver for Robert’s Hawaii and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pahoa Ward. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by husband, Charles K. Mahoe Jr. of Pahoa; sons, Cameron (Milisha) Mahoe of Opihihale and Crandon (Rebecca) Mahoe of Spring Lake, N.C.; daughters, Charmaine (Ernest) Ah Yee of Pahoa, Norma (Eddie) Barco of Keaau, Ardis (Chris Sr.) Eblacas of Hilo, Kera-Ann Spencer of Pahoa and Kanoelani Kekaualua of Honokaa; brothers, Francis (O’tillie) Kaheiki of Tacoma, Wash., George (Kathleen) Kaheiki of Hilo and Steven Kaheiki of Hayward, Calif.; sisters, Rose Marie Chu of Hayward, Calif., Bernadette Roberts and Jeraldine Spencer of Hilo; brother-in-law, Charles K. Mahoe III of Waianae, Oahu; sisters-in-law, Ramona Kaheiki of Covington, Wash., Stella Kekaualua-Newman of Hemet, Calif., Frances (Peleti) Molio‘o of Kapolei, Oahu, Julia (Daniel) Cruz of Keaau, Rose Molio‘o of Moreno Valley, Calif., Joan (Paul) Hillen of Ruffs Dale, Pa., Susan Mahoe of Waianae, Linda (Jeff) Bentley of Logan, Utah and Renee Mahoe of Salt Lake City; 13 grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Evelyn “Lynn” Teller Taylor, 97, of Waimea died Jan. 22 at home. Born in Henderson, Texas, she was a founding principal and teacher at Hawaii Preparatory Academy Elementary School, member of the South Kohala Bahai community and volunteer with the Waimea Trails and Greenways committee. Private services. Memorial at a later date. Survived by daughter, Jane Word Taylor; two grandchildren and one great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stanford Kaala Wong, 74, of Volcano died Jan. 25 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Center. Born in Honolulu, he was retired from Telephone Communication Services of Hawaii and a U.S. Army veteran. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by spouse, Henrietta “Peni” E.K. Bechert-Wong of Volcano; sons, Scott Wong, Stewart Wong, Spencer (Amber) Wong and Robert Wong; four grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
