Murray C. Gardner, PhD., 91, of Waimea died Jan. 2 at North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., was a co-founder of GeothermEx, a geothermal consulting firm in California and U.S. Marine Corps Reserves captain who received his Bachelors Degree from Brooklyn College and his PhD. from the University of Arizona. His interests included swimming, hiking, reading and gardening. His philanthropic interests included Guide Dogs For the Blind. Services noon Wednesday (Jan. 17) at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by wife, Donna Lee Gardner of Waimea; children, Annette L. (Charles Simons) Gardner of Laytonville, Calif., Michael-M. C. (Amy Dickman) Gardner of Lake Charles, La.; brother, Sherwin Gardner, of Washington, D.C.; a grandson; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Linda Ann Kailiawa, 73, of Pahala died Nov. 29 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Waimea, she was a homemaker and member of Jehovah’s Witnesses Ka‘u Congregation. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Pahala Community Center. Survived by children, Georgette (Moto) Kailiawa of Pahala, Georgina (Henry) Kailiawa-Chung of Volcano, Georgia Kailiawa and Georgeana (Chel) Kailiawa of Pahala, Leeann (Raymond) Bruno of Highland, Ind., George (Talima) Kailiawa Jr. and Blossom (Derek) Kailiawa of Pahala, Jackie (Kaori) Kailiawa of Volcano, Justin (Courtney) Kailiawa of Milolii, Ava Kailiawa and Cherish (Jesse) Kailiawa of Pahala, Steven (Norine) Lauro of Kona; 28 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sumie “Sue Cherry Kunieda” Nakamura, 95, of Hilo died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired Hilo office manager for First Insurance and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Wayne M. Nakamura of Hilo; daughter, Joyce E. Nakamura of Kirkland, Wash.; brother, Saburo Kunieda of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Shige Toyama of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Itsue Yamasaki of Hilo and Alice Char of Honolulu; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Vi-Lani Pihanakalani Robertson, 89, of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, formerly of Coos Bay, Ore., died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Pearl City, Oahu, she was a registered nurse at the former Leeward Hospital, Waimano Home and Hawaii State Hospital Psychiatric Ward, singer-entertainer under the name Vi-Lani Ortiz and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 20) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. Funeral services 10 a.m. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary. Urn Committal at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Survived by daughters, April Beam of Aiea, Oahu, and Le’Ann Puanani (Norm Pabre) Pabingwit of HOVE; brothers, Howard (Priscilla) Ortiz of Mililani, Oahu, and Glenn Ortiz of Las Vegas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.