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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Robert Kempa
Robert McBurney Kempa, 92, of Naalehu died Feb. 3, 2017, at home. Born March 2, 1924, in Harbin, China, he was a Merchant Marine in World War II, worked for UH-Manoa in the Mechanical Engineering Department, operated a Kona coffee farm and worked for the Forest Service in Oregon.
A memorial will be held at 11:45 a.m. March 3 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life and potluck will be held at 2 p.m. March 4 at 94-1527 Kaalualu Road in Waiohinu. Condolences may be posted at ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by wife, Susan; sons, Jesse Red Feather (Laura Rosensteel) Kempa of Santa Cruz, Calif.; Robert Kempa of Honolulu; one grandson.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
William Medeiros
William “Hanson” Medeiros, 68, died Oct. 18, 2016, at Tripler Army Medical Center on Oahu.
A celebration of life will be held at noon, March 4 at the Kawaihae Canoe Club (small boat harbor). Prayer by Rev. Akaka and Military Honor Guard ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Condolences may be sent to Michael Medeiros, P.O. Box 44698, Kamuela, HI 96743.
Hanson is survived by brother, Michael (Hankie) Medeiros of Kawaihae; sisters: Ramona (Bill) Ferreira of Idaho; Gayle (Victor) Fergerstrom; Penny (Bert) Miranda, of Waimea; numerous nieces and nephews.
Sadaichi Kakugawa
Sadaichi Kakugawa, 85, of Hilo died Jan. 28, 2017, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Feb. 19, 1931, in Kapoho, he was a retired elementary school principal and member of the Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
Private services held. No flowers. No monetary offerings.
He is survived by wife, Lei Kakugawa of Hilo; daughters, Ann (Keith) Fernandez of Anchorage, Alaska, Jill (Lee) Bonga of Hilo and Lynn Kakugawa of Waimea; brothers, Paul (Ruby) Kakugawa of Honolulu and Albert Kakugawa of Hilo; sisters, Frances Kakugawa of Sacramento, Calif., Janet (Herbert) Aoki of Hilo; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Vivian Iwai
Vivian Iwai, 80, of Fairfield, Calif. died Jan. 29, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Care Home. Born Aug. 26, 1936, in Hilo, she was an employee of the Hawaii State Department of Labor.
Private services will be held.
She is survived by spouse, Harold Iwai of Rio Vista, Calif.; sons, Derek Iwai of Torrance, Calif., Randall (Laurie) Iwai of San Diego, Kevin (Regina) Iwai of Fairfield, Calif.; brothers, Earl (Carol) Nakashima of Hilo, Clyde (Suzan) Nakashima of Las Vegas, Alan (Kathy) Nakashima of Hilo; sisters, MaryAnn (Roy) Katayama of Hilo, Irene Yamasato of Kona, Sue (Dennis) Kagawa of Hilo; one grandchild.
Fujio Taketa
Fujio Taketa, 84, of Hilo died Feb. 10, 2017, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hilo, he was a retired school counselor and an Army veteran during the Korean War.
No services. Family requests no flowers and no monetary gifts.
He is survived by wife, Marian Taketa of Hilo; sons, Stuart Taketa of Hilo, Brant (Dana) Taketa of Irvine, Calif.; brother, Teruo (Betty) Taketa of Hilo; sister, Chizuko (Sparky) Segawa of Honolulu; two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Susan Francis
Susan “Susie” Kathleen Francis, 68, of Waikoloa died Feb. 18, 2017, at her residence. Born May 21, 1948, in Los Angeles, she was an operations manager for First Hawaiian Bank Waikoloa and a former bank teller for First Hawaiian Bank Kailua Kona.
Private service.
She is survived by husband, Dave Francis of Waikoloa; sons, Kevin Francis of Huntington Beach, Calif., Jeff Francis of Corona, Calif.; mother, Martha Ruiz of Irvine, Calif.; brother, Mo Sim of Huntington Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Ella Sakamot
Ella Shigeyo Sakamoto, 105, of Naalehu died Feb. 7, 2017, at the Ka‘u Hospital. Born January 15, 1912, in Honuapo, she was a member of the Naalehu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
Private services held. No flowers. No monetary offerings.
She is survived by son, Charles (Dora) Sakamoto of Naalehu; daughter, May Doi of Naalehu; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.