Michael Kirchner Bates, 80, of Waimea died May 28 at his residence. Born in Paia, Maui, he was a building materials supplier, Realtor, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and member of St. James Episcopal in Waimea. Private service to be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Kawaihae Canoe Club, P.O. Box 1087, Waimea, Hawaii 96743. Condolences may be sent to Gale Bates, P.O. Box 760, Waimea, Hawaii 96743. Survived by wife, Gale Bates of Waimea; daughters, Nicole (Shane) Vincent and Alexandra (James) Hustace of Waimea, Fiona (James) Emley of California; brother, William (Vibeke) Bates of Kula, Maui; two grandsons; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Joe “Pogi” Costa, 54, of Keaau died March 9 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was the creator of RC Heaven, retired as owner of Maikalani Pools LLC, and was a member of the Waiakea VW Club and Pathfinders Club of Mauna Loa Mission Academy. Private Service to be held. Survived by parents, Joseph Costa Jr. of Kailua, Oahu, and Susan (Anduha) Costa of Kaneohe, Oahu; sons, Casey (Brandon Medeiros) Costa and Rory Kealoha (Noeau) Haili of Keaau; hanai daughter, Kailee (Loumir Malapitan) Cortez of Virginia; brothers, Ryan (Tessie) Costa and L.T. Deric of Keaau; sisters, Elisha Inky (David) Nascimento of Keaau and Tracy Benjamin of Pahoa; two grandchildren; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Francis Masami Gota, 90, of Hilo died April 30 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the state of Hawaii as an investigator, served as a deputy boxing commissioner and was a U.S. Marine Corps Korean War veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden. Survived by daughters, Gayla (Clint) Coloma of Hilo, Claire Kau of Honolulu; sister, Nora Furr of Michigan; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a nephew and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Susan G. Pavao, 77, of Hilo died May 15 at home. Born in Pasadena, Calif., she was a registered nurse for Life Care Center and Castle Hospital and a freelance commercial artist producing album covers. Time for remembrance 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Coconut Island. She is survived by former husband, Louis Pavao Jr. of Ajijic, Mexico; son, Tony (Gayle) Pavao of Keaau; one granddaughter; and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Tatsuo Takahashi, 95, of Kailua-Kona died May 18 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born in Kaloko, he was a retired baggage agent for the former Aloha Airlines, a member of the Keopu Citizens Club and a U.S. Army World War II veteran. Services will be held at a later date. Survived by brother, Haruo Takahashi of San Jose, Calif.; sister, Geraldine (Sadao) Harano of Chicago; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Suzanna “Suzan” Lottie Kahealani Green Tavares, 55, of Kailua-Kona died May 17 at her ohana residence. Born in Honolulu, she was the owner of Viking Services of Hawaii, a former insurance agent for Aloha Insurance and a former rental agent for Budget Car Rentals. Private service held. Condolences may be sent to Bronson Tavares, 4885 S. Argonne Street, Aurora, Colorado 80015. Survived by son, Bronson (Tabitha) Tavares of Aurora; sisters, Wattie Green and Kalua Grace, both of Kailua-Kona; brother, Herbert Alapai, Jr. of Seattle; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.