Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity.
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity.
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Haruichi Hamasaki
Haruichi “James” Hamasaki, 89, of Hilo, died March 12 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Hawaii Tribune-Herald advertising sales representative. He was also the Commander of the American Legion – Hilo Post No. 3, 442nd Veterans Association, the Newspaper Guild, and Hawaii County Board of Supervisors.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. March 17 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo, where a funeral service begins at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Alae Cemetery in Hilo. The family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Setsuko Hamasaki, of Hilo; daughter, Mari Hamasaki, of Lake Stevens, Wash.; sons, Thomas Hamasaki, of Honolulu, George (Dr. Kris Somol Hamasaki) Hamasaki, of Kenmore, Wash.; brother, Goichi Hamasaki, of Honolulu; sisters, Sue Sumayo, (Masaaki) Nakamura, of Hilo, Sally Crum, of Honolulu, Nancy Taeko Torigoe, of Honolulu; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard Sakihara
Richard Seisuke Sakihara, 94, of Hilo, died March 8 at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 20, 1917, in Okinawa, he was a retired Liquor Department manager former for Food Fair Supermarket in Hilo. He was also a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Hui Okinawa and Waiakea Homestead Chuo Kumiai.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. March 20 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo, where a memorial service begins at 5 p.m. The family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers or monetary offerings.
He is survived by sons, Gregg (Sandra) Sakihara, of Hilo, Mark (Gwyne) Sakihara, of Maui; daughters, Renee (Joseph) Moses, of Hilo, Audrey Muraoka, of Honolulu, Karen (Glenn) Maeda, of Hilo, Lynne (Robert) Abrisce, of Honolulu; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Irma Freitas
Irma Marie Uilani Ellis Freitas, 61, of Waimea, died Feb. 17 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born Nov. 27, 1950, in Kealakekua, she was a homemaker, childcare provider, sales clerk, assistant store manager, customer service representative and member of Konawaena School Class of 1968 Alumni.
A celebration of life will be held at 9 a.m. March 24 at the Schutte family residence, 64-5073 Mana Road in Waimea. The service begins at 10 a.m.
She is survived by son, Roy (Denise) Freitas, of Waimea; daughters, Maediene (James Takaki) Freitas-Takaki, of Waimea, Joeliene (Guy) Schutte, Shell Freitas, all of Waimea; brothers, Prentiss Ellis, Bobby (Aloha) Ellis, all of Kailua Kona; 14 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Kaylene Silva
Kaylene Ilima Silva, 52, of Hilo, died March 6 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 20, 1960, in Hilo, she was a housewife. She was also a member of Hapa Softball Club, Kapiolani Athletics and Rural South Hilo Rascals.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. March 17 at Heritage Christian Fellowship, 165 E. Kawili Street B in Hilo. A funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary. The family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by husband, Harold Silva Sr., of Hilo; daughters, Rose (Derrick Aspili) Nactor, of Orchidland, Francesca Willett, of Oahu, Laylene (Autumn) Willett, of Ainaloa, Loretta (Ronald) Lopes, of Ainaloa, Cheryl (Miguel) Puga, of North Carolina, Sheylyn (Anson) Botelho, of Hilo, Joslyn Silva, of Nanawale; hanai daughter, Chandra (Karam) Keohuloa, of Orefino, Idaho; sons, Earl Willett Jr., of Ainaloa, Harold (Annette Goodall-Santos) Silva Jr., of Ainaloa; brother, Floyd (Kathleen Glen) Nactor, of Fern Acres; sisters, Marcia Cabalis, of Maui, Evon (Kuaika) Branco, of Ahualoa, Tricia (Alex Bras) Keohuloa, of Hawaiian Acres; 15 grandchildren; numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Daniel Ige
Daniel Satoshi Ige, 80, of Hilo, died March 6 at Hilo Medical Center. Born July 17, 1931, in Honolulu, he was a retired Japan Airlines cargo agent and Crossnet Ministries International – Hilo member.
Private services were held. Contributions can be made to Crossnet Ministries International.
He is survived by sons, Thomas Ige, of Los Angeles, Kenneth (Maria) Ige, of Antioch, Calif., Dan (Nair Aoki) Ige, of Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandchildren.
Judy Kishi
Judy Itomi Kishi, 78, of Honolulu, died Feb. 28, at Queen’s Hospital. Born July 17, 1933, in Laupahoehoe, she worked at Columbia Inn and Canlis until 1961.
No services on the Big Island will be held.
She is survived by husband, Richard Kishi; children, Cavin (Cindy) Kishi, Kent (Sandy) Kishi, Colin Kishi, Kim (Spencer Akana) Kishi; nine siblings, including Yoshimi Uyeda, of Waimea, and Fusami Yano, of Honokaa.
Audrey Lee
Audrey Patricia Lee, 84, of Hilo, died March 2 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Haiku, Maui, she was a retired waitress and homemaker.
Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. March 20 at Valley of the Temples Chapel, where a funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Valley of the Temples Cemetery. The family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughters, Roberta (Alfred) Vea, of Hilo, Miriam Lee, of Honolulu; sons, Alfred Lee, of Hilo, Robert Lee Jr., of Hilo, Theodore Lee, of Hilo, James Lee, of Hilo; brothers, Santiago Pereza Jr., of Pearl City, Theodore (Dolores) Pereza, of Waikoloa, Samson (Shirley) Pereza, of the mainland, Arnold (Leona) Pereza, of Kailua, Oahu; sister, Irene Reubin, of Kailua, Oahu; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jezikyo Afong
Jezikyo Hoomano Afong, infant, of Honokaa, was born and died March 9 at North Hawaii Community Hospital.
He is survived by mother, Jessica Afong, of Honokaa; grandparents, Momi (Robin) Lorenzo, of Honokaa, Joseph Afong, of Hilo; numerous uncles and aunties.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Donald Swerdfeger
Donald Lowell Swerdfeger, 97, of Hilo, died March 9 at his residence. Born in Nebraska, he was a retired Methodist church minister.
Memorial servicebegins at 2 p.m. March 17 at Hilo Methodist Church.
He is survived by son, Dean Lowell Swerdfeger, of Seattle; daughters, Alice (Lorin) Love, of Mead, Wash., Judith Lowell, of Everett, Wash.; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Willis Schlenk
Willis Schlenk, 86, of Keaau, died March 11 at his residence. Born in Rockford, Ill., he was a retired military auditor.
Private service were held.
He is survived by wife, Flora Schlenk, of Keaau; sons, Anthony Mercurio, of Keaau, Charlie (Rose) Mercurio, of Honolulu, Joey Mercurio, of Keaau, Arnel Mercurio, of Keaau; daughter, Jill Lycan, of Texas; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
David Shimomura
David Shigeto Shimomura, 86, of Kailua-Kona, died March 3 at Kona Community Hospital. Born April 7, 1925, in Wailuku, Maui, he was the University of Hawaii’s School of Social Work assistant dean, Coast Guard Auxiliary member and Army veteran.
Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 31 at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club in Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona for a celebration of life. The family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers or donations to charity.
He is survived by wife, Yaeko Shimomura, of Kailua-Kona; son, Peter Shimomura, of Los Angeles; daughter, Joyce Stabbert, of Seattle; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lance Pule
Lance Christopher Kaleikaumaka Pule, 38, of Kapaau, died March 3 at Kohala Hospital. Born March 17, 1973, in San Jose, Calif., he was a laborer and fisherman.
Private services were held.
He is survived by mother, Frances Pule, of Kapaau; brothers, Bryan (Pamela) Pule, of Seattle, Mark Keliihanapule, of Sunnyvale, Calif., Kevin (Maria) Pule, of Santa Maria, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Ida Wong
Ida Mae Wong, 95, of Hilo, died Feb. 19 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Honokaa, she was a retired department manager for the former Robins, St. Joseph Catholic Church member and Kaumana Terrace Kumiai member.
Private services were held. The family requests no flowers or monetary gifts.
She is survived by sons, Ronald (Mildred) Wong, of Aiea, Rodney (Pat) Wong, of Hilo; daughter, Rochelle (Roy) Dela Cruz, of Seattle; sister, Gladys Wong, of Hilo; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Muriel Porter
Muriel Abrahams Porter, 91, of Pahoa, died March 3 at her residence. Born Dec. 24, 1920, in Madison County, Iowa, she was a retired Northwestern Bell Telephone telephone operator.
Services will be held.
She is survived by daugthers, Connie Kordick, of St. Louis, Mo., Janet Shuey, of Pahoa; sister, Annice Hobson, of Nashville, Tenn.; brother, Don Abrahams, of Tempe, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren.
Sean Van Houtte
Sean Michael Van Houtte, 39, of Kailua-Kona, died March 2 at Kona Community Hospital. Born August 26, 1972, in Carmel, Calif., he was a medical supply installer and postal agent.
No services will be held.
He is survived by parents, Linda and Harry Van Houtte Jr., of Kailua-Kona; brother, David Van Houtte, of Monterey, Calif.; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Irineo Agcaoili
Irineo Gamiao Agcaoili, 53, of Waikoloa, died March 4 at the North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born June 28, 1958, in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a Puna Certified landscaper, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai steward, papaya farmer, California grape harvester and Alaska fish packer.
Funeral services will be held at Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba, Calif.
He is survived by wife, Amelia Agcaoili, of Waikoloa; sons, Lloyd (Sharon) Agcaoili, Lucky Renato Agcaoili, Adrian Agcaoili, Andrew Agcaoili, all of Waikoloa; daughters, Sheryl (Jairus) Agpalza, Sheila (Aaron) Agcaoili, all of Waikoloa; mother, Salome Agcaoili, of Orosi, Calif.; sisters, Nanette (Leonard) Mara, of Orosi, Calif., Lucia Agcaoili, of Orosi, Calif.; three grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shigeko Yabe
Shigeko Yabe, 97, of Hilo, died Feb. 27 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 15, 1914, in Kula, Maui, she was retired from Kamehameha Garments, a Taishoji Soto Mission member and an Upper Waiakea Houselot Kumiai member.
Private services were held. The family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
She is survived by son, Ronald (Thelma) Yabe, of Hilo; daughters, Lillian (Albert) Matsuda, of Hilo, Ellen Niimi, of Mililani, Oahu; brother, Masaru (Fusae) Nagata, of Pearl City, Oahu; sister, Nancy Urami, of New Jersey; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michael Reyes
Michael Joseph Reyes, 69, of Kailua-Kona, died March 3 at his residence. Born Dec. 31, 1942, in Reno, Nev., he was a retired Kailua-Kona Post Office retail clerk, St. Michael’s Catholic Church member, St. Vincent DePaul Society member, Kai O Pua Canoe Club supporter, Advocat member, Disabled American Veterans member and Vietnam veteran.
Private services were held.
He is survived by wife, Sharon Ball, of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Kathleen (Vasillis) Livathinos, of Marathon, Greece, K.C. (Paul) Texeira, of Kailua-Kona, Kim (Ken) Burnthorn, of Pleasanton, Calif.; hanai daughters, Daphne Wingate, of Oahu, Kaliko Wingate, of Kailua-Kona; hanai son, Calvin Eckman, of Kailua-Kona; three grandchildren, two hanai grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Tsurue Aoki
Tsurue Aoki, 95, of Waimea, died Feb. 18 in Honolulu. Born in Waianae, she was a homemaker.
Private services were held at the Kamuela Hongwanji with inurnment at the Kamuela Hongwanji cemetery. The family requests no monetary donations or flowers.
She is survived by son, Isamu (Ellen) Aoki, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughters, Nancy Young, of Kailua (Oahu), Beverly (Ichiro) Muta, of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Hosoi Garden Mortuary.