Merle Howard Bensema, 91, of Hilo died Nov. 28, 2020, at Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation &Nursing Center. Born in Barrington, Ill., he was retired from United Airlines in San Francisco, a U.S. Army veteran and member of Kinoole Baptist Church. Private services held. Survived by wife, Linda (Hamada) Bensema; sisters, Joanne Grey and Ess Hartley; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Heronica “Ikang” Ramirez Bilog, 100, of Naalehu died Feb. 23 at Ka‘u Hospital Long Term Care. Born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who enjoyed gardening and spending time with family, including grandchildren. Graveside service 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, at Naalehu County Cemetery. Masks and social distancing required. Memorial Mass at a later date. Survived by daughter, Elisa (Hermenegildo) Naboa of Naalehu; son, Galen (Remely) Bilog of Lahaina, Maui; sister, Maria Cachola of Palm Springs, Calif.; brother in-law, Anselmo Bilog of Naalehu; daughter in-law, Frances Bilog of Huntington Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Naoko Ide, 93, of Honalo died March 16 at Life Care Center of Kona. Born in Hilo, she was a salesclerk at K. Oshima Store, seamstress and member of Kawanui Kumiai and Daifukuji Soto Mission. Private services held. Survived by sons, Dennis (Ruth) Ide and Darren Ide of Kona; brother, Herbert (Barbara) Sueoka of the mainland; sisters, Thelma Sato and Yukiko Aoki of Hilo; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles “Braddah” “Chaley” Kalehua Konanui Jr., 58, of Keaukaha died March 18 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was employed by Arc of Hilo. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by mother, Juanita “Kehukai” Konanui of Keaukaha; brother, Pumehana “Hana” (Malia) Konanui of Keaukaha; sisters, Loriann Yaeko “Koko” (Larry) Kim of Keaukaha, Kelly “Amy” Konanui, DonnaLynn “Riko” Balai of Hawaiian Beaches, Emily “Kala” (Gilbert “Opihi”) Hauanio, Miriam “Piikea” Conol and June-Dale “U‘ilani” (Michael “Chico”) Tavares; caregivers/nieces, Laua‘e-O-Makana (Micah) Alexander and Leina‘ala (Taua‘i) Kekaualua-Tuia‘ana of Hawaiian Beaches; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Revelina Lopez Niere, 75, of Waimea died March 6 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in La Union, Philippines, she worked for a private laundry service and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 8, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by husband, Manuel Niere of Waimea; daughters, Fannie (Robert) Nitura and Edita (Ian) Claridades of Waimea and the Philippines; five sisters and three brothers; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Janice Marie Percick, 84, of Kailua-Kona died March 18 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Arcadia, Wis., she was a retired certified nurse’s assistant, hostess at the former Michael’s Restaurant, worked at Lani’s Flowers in the King Kamehameha Hotel and was a member of Kona Elks Lodge 2616. Services at a later date. Survived by sons, Edward (Grace) Kabus of Captain Cook and Michael (Bonnie Weir) Kabus of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Linda (Steven) Baker of Kentucky and Cathy (Joe) Kulig of Independence, Wis.; brothers, Franklin (Anne) George of Arcadia and Leroy (Ruth) George of Taylor, Wis.; half-sister, Judy (Jim) Ritter of Trempeleau, Wis.; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary