Manuel Bernabe Asencion, 95, of Hilo died Feb. 20 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a retired seed cutter for the former Hamakua Sugar Co., U.S. Army Korean War veteran, and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and American Legion Post No. 4 Kohala. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday (April 25) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass at 9:30 a.m. Committal service to follow 11:30 a.m. at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Flaviana Simpliciano Asencion of Hilo; son, Joseph (Elma Tomas) Asencion of Hilo; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ralph Lanui Kaneao, 74, of Waikoloa March 18 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kona, he was a former cook for Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, lab technician for the former Hamakua Sugar Co., U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran who twice received the Purple Heart, member of Disabled American Veterans and member and musician of Honokaa Senior Citizens. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Eulogy at 9:30 a.m. Mass at 10 a.m. Military honors to follow. No flowers. Survived by wife, Virginia “Ginny” Kaneao of Waikoloa; children, Ranelle “Lana” (Russell Crutcher Jr.) Kaneao of Oahu, Radina (Mike) Pollock of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Ryler “RJ” Kaneao of Waikoloa; hanai son, John Gandolf of Waikoloa; brothers, Lloyd (Ligaya) Leslie Jr. of Paauhau and Peter (Phynee) Lerma Jr. of Utah; hanai sister, Pearl Gomes of Hilo; in-laws, Frances Alpiche of Honokaa, Suzanne Tamashiro of Honokaa, Dolores Sharp of Washington state, Shirley Kirkwood of Chicago, Attie (Randy) Millare of Kona, Ronald (Val) Abran of Honokaa and Douglas Abran of Kauai; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jeremy Iokepa Mata, 34, of Wahiawa, Oahu, died March 25 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a construction worker for Gundaker Works LLC. Private services. Survived by wife, Napualei Mata; children, Kaikea Mata, Kaimahni Mata, Kaikella Mata, Tzhiyen Mata and Hezekiah Mata; father, Michael Henry (Stacy) Mata Jr.; mother, Audrey Ann Gonzales; brothers, Keoki (Candace) Gonzales, Keoni Mata, Travis (Shelly) Mata and Joshua Mata; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard Takao Narimatsu, 69, of Hilo died April 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was an artist, Special Olympian, musician and member of Boy Scouts of America. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sisters, Edna Narimatsu, Priscilla (Robert) Gomez and Trisia Uchida; a niece, two grandnephews, cousins, uncles and aunts. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Noriaki Otani, 93, of Hilo died March 29 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired carpenter for Jas. W. Glover Ltd. in Hilo and decorated U.S. Army veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Fujie “Fudge” Otani of Hilo; daughter, Shawn (Paul) Paiva of Hilo; sons, Max (Ann) Otani and Brad (Helen) Otani of Honolulu; sister, Lorraine Matsu of Hilo; brother-in-law, Shozo “Al” Abe of California; sisters-in-law, Tazue Hayashi and Mavis Kurakazu of California; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Maureen June Rodrigues, 72, of Hilo died April 2 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired administrative assistant for Goodwill Hawaii First to Work program in Hilo. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by son, Evan (Lani Rios) Kelsom of Hilo; daughters, Erin (Paul) Perry and Eden Kelsom of Hilo; stepson, Melvin (Maile Lincoln) Kelsom of Waikoloa; eight grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
