Jimmy Moretekai Aka, 57, of Keaau died April 28 in Keaau. Born in Hakahau, Ua Pou, French Polynesia, he was a Christian minister and missionary, maintenance worker, glazier, fuel tank laborer, artist, craftsman and canoe paddler, finishing the Molokai Hoe Canoe Race in 2005 with New Hope Canoe Club. Celebration of life and ash scattering held May 14 at Sand Island in Honolulu. Survived by wife, Lita Cavin-Aka; daughter, Elilai Aka-Burch; sons, Samuel Hakaikinui Aka and Kaohanui Aka; mother, Tahiahau “Mama” Aka; sisters, Rose and Muriel and families; brothers, Yvon Titana and Joseph Hiuputoka and families; son-in-law, Aaron Burch; and two grandsons. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kiyoshi “Mr. Viking” Hamakawa, 92, died April 13 in Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired vice principal at Hilo High School who was named an honorary member of Hilo High’s Class of 1984 upon his retirement He was also a former biology and physical education teacher, professional boxer, football, basketball and track coach, U.S. Army Korean War veteran and Springfield College graduate, and was honored in 2016 by the Hilo High Foundation as a Distinguished Educator. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Mikako (Nagami), sons Bruce (Shirley), Curt (Diane), and Eric (Sara); daughter Donna (Chris) Paulachak; brother-in-law Teruo (Tamayo) Nagami; five grandchildren; a hanai granddaughter; two step-grandchidren and two step-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Tamayo F. Nagami, 88, of Hilo died May 18 at home. Born in Kurtistown, she was a retired admitting clerk for the former Hilo Hospital and member of the Church of the Holy Cross. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Teruo Nagami of Hilo; son, Lester Nagami of Hilo; daughters, Sandra (Robert) McCleery of Pacific Grove, Calif., and Diann Nagami of Santa Clara, Calif.; sister, Masayo Kanetani of Kurtistown; sister-in-law, Rusty Fukano of Hilo; a grandchild; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joni Itsuko Okino-Shiroma, 63, of Mountain View died June 18 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was recently retired, a homemaker and member of Tenrikyo Kaka‘ako Church. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Max Shiroma of Mountain View; sons, Randy Shiroma and Mitchell Shiroma of Mountain View; brothers, Ryan (Norene) Okino, Glenn (Amy) Okino and Terence Okino of Hilo; sisters, Kay (Bob) McGinty of California and Shari (Daren) Sakoda of Hawaiian Shores; father-in-law, Takeshi Shiroma of Hilo; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Frank Farrell) Shiroma of Denver; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jeannette Rose Leimomi Silva-Sampaio, 93, of Mountain View died June 30 at Hale Anuenue. Born on Oahu, she was retired from Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Graveside services and committal 10 a.m. Friday (July 15) at Homelani Memorial Park. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Rosemary Leimomi Saberon and Judith Dawn “Ku‘ulei” Kaeo of Hilo; sons, Michael (Tess) Anthony Silva-Sampaio of California and Samuel Harris Silva-Sampaio of Hilo; sister, Helene (Raymond) Paulette Akimseu of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Norbert Hinau of Honolulu; daughter-in-law, Bridget Silva-Sampaio of Glenwood; 24 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.