Marilyn Carmel Elsner, 81, died Oct. 5 at Honokaa Hospital, formerly Hale Hoʻola Hamakua. Born in Vineland, N.J., she was a primary school educator. Survived by son, Fred; brother, Richard, and their families.
Octayvia Meiling Momilani Gager, 54, of Volcano, died Oct. 7 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker. Private services held. Survived by husband, Samuel Gager Sr. of Volcano; sons, Manu Afong of Honolulu, Samuel Gager Jr. of Volcano and Thomas Gager-Wellman of Glenwood; daughters, Ida May Gager of Mountain View and Lorraine Gager-Wellman of Hilo; brothers, Charles (Dannell) Afong and Kimo Mc Conkey of Arizona, Hartwell (Kathy) Afong of Waianae, Oahu, and Jeremiah (Bernadine Estrada) Afong of Kahaluu, Oahu; sisters, Ahlin (Wade) Mansfield of Maili, Oahu, Norene Afong, Dember (David) Lopes and Avis (Melvin) Pontes of Nanakuli, Oahu; Shelly Evinger of Kalihi, Oahu, and Kira Akiona of Kapolei, Oahu; sister-in-law, Sharon Afong of Nanakuli; seven grandchildren; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kristofer Karl Hanneman, 73, of Pahoa died Dec. 5 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Oregon, he was an orchardist and arborist. No flowers. Memorial investment in your local and native food systems. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by son, Nathanael Hanneman; daughter, Josie Hanneman; sister, Julie Pettit; brother, Mark Hanneman. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Mildred Kotomi Hasegawa, 93, of Kapulena died Dec. 8 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honokahua, Maui, she was a homemaker and member of Honokaa Hongwanji Mission and its Buddhist Women Association and Honokaa RSVP. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Carol (Frank Kealoha) Hasegawa of Kapulena and Doreen (Eric) Takahashi of Waimea; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James “Kimo” Keaupuliwa Mahu Jr. 52, of Mountain View, formerly of Honolulu, died Nov. 26. Celebration of life 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, Waiuli (Leleiwi) Beach Park in Hilo. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by companion, Wendy-Lynn Medeiros of Mountain View; daughters, Jo-Anna Moniz and Sharvon Cruz; sons, James Mahu III Torres and Samson Mahu; sisters, Sharon (Chucky) Nunes, Jamelyn (Scotty) Orita and Janell (Bruce) Kuamo‘o of Hilo; brothers, Harold (Gwen) Mercado of Hilo and John (Jennifer) Mahu of Kunia, Oahu; nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Toshie Nishida, 98, of Hilo, died Oct. 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was retired from the former F.W. Woolworth in Hilo and a member of Kinoole Baptist Church. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Jean (Wayne) Souza of Hanapepe, Kauai, and Lois (Mel Matsunaga) Nishida of Hilo; son-in-law, James Yoshida of Hilo; sister-in-law, Dorothy Horita of Hilo; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis Pavao, 83, of Keaau died Dec. 5 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co., lot attendant at Wal-Mart, HI-PAL baseball and T-ball coach, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Respect for Life, East Hawaii Coalition for the Homeless, and former member of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142. Visitation 10 a.m.-noon Friday (Dec. 27) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service at noon. Burial to follow at the Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Angelita V. Pavao of Keaau; daughters, Melissa Ann P. Macion of Waikoloa and Tanya Elizabeth (Jerred) Kua of Keaau; brother, Patrick (Eileen) Pavao of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Emma (Sakae) Omelau and Bernice Haa of Keaau; brother-in-law, Edward (Ruth) Sison of Hilo; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.