Obituaries for July 17

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Douglas Dal Edens, 81, of Hawi died July 2 at home. Born in Sacramento, Calif., he was a retired gardening specialist for California State University-Sacramento home surrounded by family. A retired gardening specialist from CSU Sacramento, he spent his retirement in Hawaii gardening, was a California Master Mason, member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, Eagle Scout, Community Emergency Response Team and neighborhood watch organizer. No services. Burial in family plot in Roseville, Calif. Survived by daughter, Tiffany (Timothy) DeEtte Shafto. Arrangements by Dodo Mortary.

Okinu Matsuoka, 100, of Pepeekeo died June 27 at home. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she was a homemaker and member of Honomu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Harold (Alice) Matsuoka of Kirkland, Wash., and Leland (Charlene) Matsuoka of Pepeekeo; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Romeo “Romy” Higa Saquing, 73, of Hilo died July 12 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, he was a retired trust officer for First Hawaiian Bank Hilo Branch, former Paine Webber and Merrill Lynch employee, volunteer mediator at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, 4th-degree black belt in judo and member of Exchange Club of Hilo and Hilo Jaycees Rooster. Survived by daughters, Lilinoe (Charles Pohina Jr.) Saquing of Paauilo and Rachel Saquing of Hilo; mother, Akiko Sue Saquing of Camarillo, Calif.; brothers, Doly Saquing of Everett, Wash., and Roy (Barbara) Saquing of Camarillo, Calif.; two grandchildren; nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Randolph Folau Solomon Sr., 98, of Waimea died July 12 at home. Born in Honolulu, was owner-operator of Kohala Farms in North Kohala and Waiaka Farm, served on the Queen Emma Foundation and helped establish North Hawaii Community Hospital and medical services in Waimea and a U.S. Army veteran during World War II. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday (July 20) on the Family Ranch Waiaka Farm (Po‘ohala Halau) in Waimea. Inurnment with his wife, Flora Leiomalama Desha Beamer Solomon, who died in 2019, at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl in Honolulu. Survived by daughters, Malama Solomon, Hulali (Robert) Solomon Covington; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Gordon Masami Taira, 67, of Hilo died June 17 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Safeway Hilo produce clerk. Visitation 4-5 p.m. Friday, July 26, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life service at 5 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by sons, Ryan (Dawn) Taira of Illinois and Gared Taira of Hilo; sisters, Donna Taira of Hilo and Patti (Jon) Taira-Tokuuke of Hilo; two grandchildren; uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.