Benny Shigeru Akamine, 70, of Hilo died March 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was the retired owner of Orchid Isle Welding, a Hawaii Army National Guard veteran and member of Hawaii Classic Cruizers. Visitation 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Celebration of life from noon Saturday, May 4, at Wailoa State Park Large Pavilion. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Gwen Akamine of Hilo; children, Darlene “Didi” Akamine, Ian Akamine, Chadd (Ronalyn Duldulao) Akamine and Cyrus (Keshia) Akamine of Hilo; siblings, Jimmy Akamine of Las Vegas, Sharon (Ron) Hoo, Diane (Harris) Yoneoka, Ruth (Ronald) Nakamura and Ethel (Leslie) Toguchi of California, Lena Muramoto and Jean (Dennis) Punzal of Hilo, Maureen Michelsen of Texas; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elsie Drake, 95, of Honokaa died March 31 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Haina, she was a homemaker and member of Honokaa Seventh-day Adventist Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Sunday (April 28) at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Honokaa. Service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Honokaa Seventh-day Adventist Church Cemetery Survived by daughter, Yvonne (Gary) DeRego of Kalopa; son, Lewis (Tina) Drake of Honokaa; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis William Swain Sr., 73, of Hilo died Feb. 8. Born in Hilo, he was a machinist and U.S. Army National Guard Reserves veteran. No services. Survived by wife, Michaelene L. Swain; sons, Brandon (Jaelene) Ka‘a‘a-Swain of Oahu and Dennis W (Brenda) Swain Jr. of Maui; daughter, Chelcee J (Milton) Subica of Alaska; stepchildren, Jeremy M. (Isabella) Hammons of Maryland, Mark A. (Mandy) Hammons and Wendy L. Hammons of Washington; stepsister, Laverne (Pete) Costa; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.