Robert R. Dircks, 71, of Kapaau died Dec. 30 at home. Born in San Francisco, he retired as principal of Hilo High School, was also principal at Mountain View Elementary School, vice principal at Kealakehe and Hilo Intermediate schools, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kohala Ward, former bishop of Honomakau Ward, fire safety manager at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Security, Kohala High School basketball coach and temple ordinance worker for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. Private services. Survived by wife, Julie Dircks of Kapaau; sons, Ashton (Lehua Ah Sam) Dircks of Kapaau and Manta (Amber) Dircks of Honolulu; daughter, Raven Dircks of Honolulu; mother, Majorie Hansen of Kailua-Kona; six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert R. Dircks, 71, of Kapaau died Dec. 30 at home. Born in San Francisco, he retired as principal of Hilo High School, was also principal at Mountain View Elementary School, vice principal at Kealakehe and Hilo Intermediate schools, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kohala Ward, former bishop of Honomakau Ward, fire safety manager at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Security, Kohala High School basketball coach and temple ordinance worker for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. Private services. Survived by wife, Julie Dircks of Kapaau; sons, Ashton (Lehua Ah Sam) Dircks of Kapaau and Manta (Amber) Dircks of Honolulu; daughter, Raven Dircks of Honolulu; mother, Majorie Hansen of Kailua-Kona; six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kawailele‘ohi‘ilawe, aka Charles “Chocolate” Perez, 71, of Keaukaha died Nov. 21 at his home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired high school social studies teacher, volleyball coach and union representative for Hawaii State Teachers Association. Celebration of life 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Kawananakoa Gym in Keaukaha. Spreading of ashes to follow. Casual attire. Survived by siblings, Wardell (Lana) Lancaster, Etta Lancaster-Eubanks and Terrie Ann (Chris) Perez-Silva of Hilo; hanai daughter, Sandy “Tita” (Kahiku) Tray; an aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joanne Hualani Peralta, 79, of Tumwater, Wash., formerly of Hilo, died Dec. 27 at Providence St. Peters in Olympia, Wash. Born in Hilo, she was a retired guidance counselor at Waiakea Intermediate School, member of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church, and graduate of St. Joseph High School. Visitation 9-10:15 a.m. Friday (Jan. 17) at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha. Funeral Mass at 10:15 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by sons, Rudolph Jr. and Roman (Rocio); daughter, Uʻilani; three brothers and three sisters; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; an aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Rick Turpen, 74, of Kurtistown died Sept. 11. He was a science teacher at Pahoa High, fisherman, Ironman triathlete in the 1980s, member of the Green 13 and a social justice warrior who marched on Washington in the 1970s. Talk-story remembrance potluck 1-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 18) at the family home home. No flowers. Memorial donations to World Food Program USA to help fight world hunger and Asheville Humane Society, https://www.ashevillehumane.org/. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Christine; daughter, Roxanne; a grandson. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
