Obituaries for March 26
Karen Diane Olivera Evangelista, 77, of Mountain View died Feb. 20 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center in Hilo. Born in Seattle, she was a homemaker, former certified nursing assistant at Life Care Center of Hilo and worked at Verna’s Drive-In in Mountain View. Celebration of life 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo. Casual attire. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by daughters, Chandra Olivera of Mountain View and Devon Olivera of Michigan; mother, Virginia Cosper of Texas; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 25
Virginia “Ginny” Darlene Barrett, 85, of Kailua-Kona died March 8 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Kingsburg, Calif., she was a secretary for Barrett Construction Co., sewing hobbyist and member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Services at a later date. Survived by husband, Thomas Barrett of Kailua-Kona; sons, Thomas (Mareva) Barrett III and Joseph (Valentina) Barrett of Kailua-Kona, Brett (Lilly) Barrett of Woodland Hills, Calif.; sister, Thelma (Joseph) Goulart of San Diego; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 24
Iseko Nakano Kawaguchi, 91, of Mountain View died March 11 at a private care home. Born in Pahoa, she was a retired waitress for Volcano House and member of Puna Hongwanji Mission and Buddhist Women’s Association. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Norman Makio of Hilo and Wallace (Bernadita) Makio of Paauilo; daughter, Marilyn (Ted) Uehara of Mountain View; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandson; nephews, nieces and a cousin. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 21
Setsuko Deguchi, 100, of Kailua-Kona died Feb. 9 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Paia, Maui, she was owner of the former Kitchen Cook Potato Chip Co. and a member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Services at a later date. Survived by son, Kevin (Bernie) Deguchi of Captain Cook; daughter, Iris (Kiyoshi) Watanabe of Los Angeles; brother, Hisashi Horiuchi of Hilo; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 18
Audrey Leinaala “Travis” Pakani, 79, of Waiokawa died Jan. 24 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a clerk typist for the City and County of Honolulu, caregiver and activist for and supporter of Hawaiian affairs and issues and founder of Malama ka aina, hana ka aina Waiokawa and Perfectly Clean, worked at Conen’s Freight Transport and Hilo Kim Chee and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Services at a later date. Survived by daughters, Renee (Kuahiwinui) Mata of Waiokawa, Ron Mata and Mimi (Noe Freitas) Mata of Middle Keei, Joey (Kekoa) Mata of Kealakekua, Mona (Victor Sr.) Lorenz of Kaumana and Travis (Boerstol) Arakawa of Honolulu; sons, Bradda Boy (Stacey) Mata Jr. of Los Angeles and Braddah Toby Pakani of Waiokawa; brother, Ronald Travis of Las Vegas; sister, Berta Ochi of Salt Lake City; 18 grandchildren; numerous grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 17
Anna “Sui Lan” Kahakulani Cordero, 85, of Hilo died March 7 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Kalapana, she was a pastor and co-founder of the Gospel of Alpha and Omega Church in Hawaii, a vendor at Hilo Farmers Market, owner of Spike’s Kitchen in Keaukaha, Tupperware manager, dressmaker and seamstress/floor supervisor for Margolis Manufacturing and Retail Co., dba Hilo Hatties, formerly ran the Chuckwagon lunchwagon in Kalapana and at Onekahakaha Beach Park and waitress at the former Sun Sun Lau restaurant and was known as the “Lau Lau Lady.” Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. Burial at noon at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire; face masks and social distancing required. Survived by daughter, Sanvelyn (Ronald) Matsuo of Hilo; sons, Anson Cordero and James (Haunani Medeiros) Cordero of Hilo; brothers, Peter Lee and Harry (Malisa) Lee of Hilo; sister, Gladys Lee of Hilo; sister-in-law, Josephine (Nicolas) Galeon of Hilo; brother-in-law, Alfredo Cordero of California; five grandchildren and four great- grandchildren; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 16
Gregory “Hawaiian” Kaleinani Awai, 49, of Hilo died March 2 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a construction laborer. Memorial service 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 20) at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha. Scattering of ashes to follow at Puhi Bay. Survived by daughter, Kaleinani Awai; partner, Kimberlee Sin; hanai children, Kerstin Lee Verece, Quentin Verece and Dustin Leong; mother, Rae Lee Awai; brothers, Charleston (Davonne Pacheco) Awai Jr. and Keala (Christie) Awai; sisters, Melissa “Missy” (Kimo) Palakiko, Summer Awai and Devin (John) Forrester; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 14
Al “Taba” Duane Ah Sam, 63, of Kapaau died Feb. 9 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in North Kohala, he was a sand blaster and painter for Pacific Marine and Marisco Ltd. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kapaau. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Waianaia Cemetery. Casual attire. Face masks and social distancing required. Live streaming starting at 10:15 a.m. at www.facebook.com/kalahikiolacc. Survived by sisters, Charlene Caravalho of Waimea and Josette (Roger) Cruz of Kaneohe, Oahu; brother, Ray (Vanissa) Ah Sam of Kunia, Oahu; brother-in-law, Robert Hayno Sr. of Aiea, Oahu; sisters-in-law, Donna Ah Sam of Mililani, Oahu, Jackie Ah Sam of Kapolei, Oahu, and Anneliese Ah Sam of Conway, Ark.; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 12
Jill DeLuz, 87, of Waimea died Feb. 28 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired landscaping business owner. Private services at a later date. Survived by sons, Robert (Patricia) Kaula of Hilo and Harold Kaula of Waimea; daughter in-law, Heather Kaula of Waimea; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 11
Haleiwa “Hale” Kalau, 80, of Kailua-Kona, formerly of Honolulu, died March 18, 2020, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired supervisor for Ewa Brand Poultry. Services at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 18, at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. For information, email kala_u@yahoo.com. Survived by daughters, Dolores (William) Kaluna and Helen (Milton) Akiona of Honolulu; son, John Kalau IIIl of Honolulu; brother, Richard (Millie) Polelia of Las Vegas; sister, Melecia (Richard) Carreira of Hilo; 13 grandchildren; great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Obituaries for March 10
Joseph Pung, 92, of Hilo died Feb. 27 at home. Born in Laupahoehoe, he was a retired ranch hand at Kukaiau Ranch. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by sons, Fierry (Gail Noeau) Pung of Ainaloa, Darcy (Sherry) Pung of Honokaa, Richard (Greta) Pung of Hilo, Sammie (Carrie) Pung and Rory Dean Pung of Honokaa; daughter, Carmela (Stanley) Boteilho of Honokaa; daughter-in-law, Donna Pung of Makuu; brother, Ernest (Dawn) Pung of Hilo; sister-in-law, Clara Kealoha of Honokaa; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 9
Raymond Matao Kaya, 85, of Hilo died Feb. 24 at his residence. Born in Hilo, he was the retired proprietor of Mamo Traders Inc. in Hilo, a U.S. Army Veteran and member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Pirates Golf Club and Japanese Golf Club. Visitation 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, March 15, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo. Private memorial service to follow; limited to immediate family members only. Casual attire. No flowers; no koden. Survived by daughters, Nancy (Jeff) Miyasato of Kaneohe, Oahu, Joanne (Evan) Okino and Cindy (John) Wong of Honolulu, Kathy (Loren) Tsugawa of Hilo; sister, Janet Kaya of Honolulu; eight grandchildren; an aunt and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 8
Emilio Nicolas Berido, 95, of Hilo died Feb. 27 at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in the Philippines, he was a retired stack operator for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co. and member of the Fil-Am Bowling League and International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Private services held. Survived by sons, Clayton Berido of Kealakekua, Hilton Berido of Hilo and Neal (Lynn) Nitta of Maui; daughters, Rosaline (Burt) Takata and Sandra Berido of Pahoa, Gale Rosa of Hilo; brothers, Dami (Linda) Berido of Oklahoma and Magdalino (Lucreen) Berido of Puna; sister, Rosaline (Don) Bocok of Honolulu; 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 7
Kenneth William Ka‘ea Decoito, 29, of Hilo died Feb. 20 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a pest exterminator and member of Naalehu Assembly of God Church. Private service noon–1 p.m. Friday (March 12) at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo. Drive-thru service 1-2 p.m. at the mortuary. Remain in car at all times. Face masks and social distancing required. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by father, Kenneth “Kalani” (Tracey) Decoito of Waiohinu; mother, Sharlene (Clarence) Alcoran of Naalehu; brothers, Daelen (Tania) Decoito of Alaska, Travis (Kehau) Decoito of Waiohinu, Keola (Kaylynn) Balatona of Hilo, Clarence (Eva) Alcoran of Kona, Curtis (Kasey) Alcoran of Utah Dale (Jade) Benevides of Washington, Rolland “Bully” (Courtney) Alcoran of Kona, Jeremiah “Jerry” (Shavonne) Benevides of Waiohinu, Michael “Mikey” (Kahanu) Alcoran of Kona and Larry (Bea) Al-Navarro of Pahala; sisters, Gaylen (Roland) Castaneda of Naalehu, Meili Batalona, Denise Batalona, Nohe Batalona and Levi (Kana) Benevides of Hilo, Chanice (Devin) Vea of Utah and Ciara “CiCi” Ortega of Pahala; grandparents, Eva Decoito of Hilo and William (Eleanor) Derasin of Naalehu; hanai parents, Harry (Ened) Batalona of Hilo; uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 4
Janice Ann Howells Dassance, 72, of Kainaliu died Feb. 25 at home. Born in Los Angeles, she was a retired sheep farmer and wool producer. Services at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by husband, Lance Dassance of Kainaliu; ex-husband, Bill Walker of California; sons, Sunny (Sherrie Ann) Walker of Hilo, Nino (Karen) Walker of Switzerland and Chip Dean of California; daughters, Sally (Al) Dean Mello and Bryson (Brian) Dean-Gaughier of Massachusetts; brother, Peter Howells of Nevada; five granddaughters; extended family. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 4
Michiyo Fukumitsu, 92, of Keopu died Feb. 21 at Captain Cook Care Home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired registered nurse and member of Keopu Kumiai. Services at a later date. Survived by sons, Ray Fukumitsu of Keopu, Gregory Fukumitsu of Honolulu, Eric (Kathy) Fukumitsu of Manteca, Calif. and Ross Fukumitsu of Keopu; sisters, Matsue Desaki of Honolulu and Ichiko (Sadao) Okada of Hilo; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for March 1
Edward “Eddie” William Kahuena Kawewehi, 74, of Holualoa died Feb. 10 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he was a cook at the former Kona Surf and Keauhou Beach hotels and member of the ILWU Retirement Club. Private services at a later date. Survived by wife, Lehua Kawewehi of Holualoa; stepdaughters, Sandy (Brian) Komo of Holualoa and Kathy (Steven) Kuakahela of Kona Palisades; hanai sons, Eddie Boy (Denise) Lovell-Wong of Captain Cook and Conrad (Davi) Chong of Holualoa; hanai daughter, Noelani Johnson of Kealakehe; sister, Blossom Russell of Kealakehe; brothers, Kaipo (Puanani) Kawewehi of Hilo and Jackson Kawewehi of Spokane, Wash.; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for February 28
Donnell D. Akana Sr., 68, of Waiohinu died Jan. 28 at home. He was born in Pahala. Private services held. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by estranged spouse, Marlene Fernandez; son, Donnell Judah Akana III; mother of children, Terry Akana; children, Donnell “D.J.” (Jessica) Akana Jr. of Oceanview, Dominic “Emil” (Kegan Grace) Akana-Avenue of Pahala and Terese “Tlani” (Abraham B.) Akana-Contreras of Hampstead, N.C.; brothers, Jacob (Virginia) Akana Sr. of Torrance, Calif. and Gable “Wayne” Andrade Sr.; sister, Thelma Yanagida of Hilo; former wife, Edwina Akana of Hilo; 10 grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Obituaries for February 26
Gabriel Adviento Sr., 85, of Hilo died Feb. 13 at home. Born in Waimanalo, Oahu, he was a retired glazier for Fuller Glass on Oahu and security guard at Bank of Hawaii. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, Gabriel (Napua) Adviento Jr., James Kelekolio and Anthony Adviento; daughters, Gail (Ronald) Kuali‘i, Myrna Aiona, Mary (Lorenzo) Ramos and Gina (Keane) Lee; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Obituaries for February 25
Bernaldo Ramos Abella, 95, of Papaaloa died Feb. 15 at home. Born in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a retired cane truck and service truck driver for the former Davies Hamakua Sugar Plantation Company and member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Thursday, March 4, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Laupahoehoe. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by wife, Modesta Abella of Papaaloa; daughter, Josie (Derek) Aurio of Hilo; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Abella of Papaaloa; three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
