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. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Henry Cruz
Henry Robert Cruz, 78, of Mountain View, died April 26, 2018, at Hawaii Care Choices formerly Hospice of Hilo. Born on Aug. 21, 1939, in Hilo, he was a retired butcher/meat cutter for the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Hotel.
Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. May 6 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 7 p.m. funeral service. Casual attire. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary.
He is survived by son, Brandon Robert Keola (Michelle Lynn) Cruz of North Pole, Alaska; daughters, Jeni-Lee Haunani Cruz-Kaluau of Mountain View, Jessica (Graylen) Kaleohano of Hilo; sisters, Elizabeth Persing of Portland, Ore., and Evangeline (Barry) Rodrigues of Kailua-Kona; three brothers-in-law; two sisters in-law; four grandsons and two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sione Makaafi
Sione Makaafi, 57, of Mountain View died April 11, 2018, at his residence. Born in Tonga, he was a laborer and member of the Hilo United Methodist Church.
Private services held.
He is survived by wife, Paula Makaafi of Mountain View; stepsons, Traycen Birchland of Hilo, Alva (Desiree) Anderson of Pahoa, Halii (Allison) Anderson of Pahoa, Kawika (Jaime) Anderson of Pahoa; stepdaughters, Beth (Mario) Mariquez of Waimea, Celeste (Patrick) Mendez of Pahoa, Alvina (Kaui Wakita) Nau of Hilo, Alvalene (Steven) Mata of Pahoa; mother, Suli Makaafi of Tonga; brothers, Aleki Makaafi of Tonga, Maasi Makaafi of North Carolina, Taulanga (Ifo) Makaafi of Tonga, Lui (Ana) Makaafi of Tonga, Mafi (Sia) Makaafi of Tonga; sisters, Peata Teutau of Tonga, Lepa Makaafi of Tonga, Mele Folau Akauola of Tonga, Ana Makaafi of Tonga, Luseane Makaafi of Tonga, Lama Makaafi of Tonga, Eva Malia of Tonga; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Janet Kina
Janet May Pacheco Kina, 70, of Hilo, died April 6, 2018, at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. She was born in Hilo and was a homemaker and retired bus driver with the former Laupahoehoe Transportation Co.
Friends may call 9-10:30 a.m. May 4 at the Ponahawai Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a 10:45 a.m. funeral service, followed by burial at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire.
She is survived by her daughter, Christine Kina of Hilo; son, James Kina of Hilo; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
James Masters
James “Jim” Arnold Masters, 71, of Naalehu, died April 24, 2018, at home. Born on July 27, 1946, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., he was the owner and automotive technician for Ka’u Auto Repair and chief of the Naalehu &Discovery Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and an avid sports fisherman.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. May 6 at Waiohinu Park. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Marcia Masters of Naalehu; sons, John (Jolisa) Masters of Naalehu and Jason (Sandy) Masters of Venice, California; brothers, Robert Masters of Mattydale, N.Y. and Dale (Nan) Masters of Cicero, N.Y.; sister, Susan Price of Mattydale, N.Y.; six grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Harold Ashida
Harold Tetsuro Ashida, 93, of Papaikou, died April 26, 2018, at Hawaii Care Choices’ Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Papaikou, he was the founder of A&A Hawaii, Inc., proprietor of Harold Ashida Painting Co., U.S. Army World War II veteran, past president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, charter member of Hilo Crescent City Lions Club, and member of Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, Japanese Community Association of Hawaii and East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by daughters, Eunice Muramoto and Gay (David) Heaukulani of Hilo; son, Lincoln (Jonna) Ashida of Hilo; companion, Gloria Castillo of Papaikou; sisters, Masaye Kuwahara of Hilo, Sally Bushaw of Honolulu, Mildred (Michio) Takahashi of California; brother, George Ashida of Honolulu; six grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Andrew Facklam
Andrew William Facklam, 68, of Leilani Estates, Pahoa died April 29, 2018, at his residence. Born in Honolulu, he was a former steel worker and cook, life time member of both the American Legion Post No. 3 and National Rifle Association and a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
A graveside service will take place at noon May 7 at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo; casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Christine Facklam of Leilani Estates; sons, Jonathan Facklam of Leilani Estates, Antonio Facklam of Leilani Estates; daughter, Angela (Kris) Youngberg of Chicago; brothers, Robert Ribordy of Ainaloa, Dennis Ribordy of Oahu, Harland Loving of Ohio, Alan Berryhill of Texas; sister, Patti Conley of Texas; four grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James O’Brien
James “Buddy” Terrence O’Brien, 72, of Volcano, formerly of Seal Beach, Calif., died on April 28, 2018, at his residence. Born in Long Beach, Calif., he worked in the gaming industry in several card clubs in Southern California and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 620. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Private services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by spouse, Clarissa O’Brien of Volcano; daughters, Temre (Scott) Marsh of Westminster, Calif., and Erin (Joshua) Coleman of Mountain View; brothers, Dennis Michael (Linda) O’Brien of South Lake Tahoe, Nev., and Mark (Ilene) Reinhart of Centennial, Colo.; sisters, Linda (Kirby) Hendrix of Rayville, La., and Patricia (Dwight) Probst of Grand Rapids, Minn.; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Arlyn Gusman
Arlyn Ka’aina Gusman, 56 of Hilo, died April 21, 2018, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on Feb. 6, 1962, in Kona, he was a kitchen manager, chef, and deli manager at various businesses. He was also a part of the Hawaiian Civic Club, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Friends may call 10-11 a.m. May 9 at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo 570 Kinoole Street. Celebration of life to be held 1-3 p.m. May 12 at the Old Kona Airport, Beach Park Pavilion No.4.
He is survived by hanai son, Kainoa Andreas Gaeta; daughter, Jade Gusman; brothers, Alfred Ah Sing Jr., Anthony Page, Clark Page, and Reuben Page; sisters, Shirley Ann Thomas, and Sheila Medeiros; numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Melvin Calipano
Melvin Hanapuakoolau Calipano, 66, of Kailua-Kona, died April 14, 2018, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born Feb. 22, 1952, in Kealakekua, she was a housekeeper at the Kona Bali Kai and Keauhou Beach Hotel.
No services are planned.
She is survived by her husband, Andrew Calipano of Kailua-Kona; sons, Jack Hao, Justin Hao, David Yonemura and J.R. Calipano, all of Kailua-Kona; stepsons, Christopher (Mary) Calipano and Randy (Rebecca) Calipano, all of Molokai; daughters, Uilani Calipano of Honauanau, Laura Niihau of Kailua-Kona and Riana (Murphy) Mersberg, Jr., of Molokai; hanai daughter, Kalae Yonemura of Kailua-Kona; numerous grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stanislaw Szeliga
Stanislaw Szeliga, 72, of Hilo, died Apr. 20, at home. He was born in Carlsrue, Germany and was a retired aircraft mechanic with United Airlines and a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Friends may call at noon May 9 at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No.2 for a graveside urn committal service. Casual attire.
He is survived by his wife, Carla Lee Szeliga of Hilo; son, Dennis Szeliga of Hilo; daughter, Stacey Kilty of Mountain View, mother, Anna Szeliga of N.Y.; brothers, Ted (April) Szeliga of N.C. and Joe (Sharon) Szeliga of N.Y.; five grandchildren, Jessica, Jamie, Jazzylee, Shane and Haylee; nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Walter Itsuo Tanaka
Walter Tanaka, 86, of Hilo, died April 22, 2018 at his residence in Hilo. He was born in Papaikou, Hawaii on September 18, 1931 and was the proprietor of the former Wally’s Meat Market and Mizoguchi Lunch Shop in Hilo.
Private services held. No flowers. No koden.
He is survived by wife, Frances Tanaka of Hilo; daughter, Kelly (Daren) Kodani of Hilo; brother, George (Lynn) Tanaka of Honolulu; sisters, Lorraine (James) Inouye of Honolulu and Grace (Roy) Moriyama of Honolulu; sisters-in-law, Toyoko Tanaka of Hilo and Tokiko Tanaka of Hilo; two grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo, Hawaii.
Michael Bonafede
Michael Anthony Bonafede, 64 of Honaunau, died April 9, 2018. Born in New York, he worked in construction.
He is survived by wife Gay; mother Julia Bonafede of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter Anela (Pohaku) Veriato of Honaunau; brothers Bob (Michelle) Bonafede of Washington; Rick (Susan) Bonafede of California; and five grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held on May 12 at Alii Beach Park Haleiwa, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Margaret Hunter
Margaret Josephine Hunter, 101, of Kailua Kona, died May 2 at her Ruth’s House residence. Born Feb. 3, 1917 in Tribbey, Oklahoma, she was a homemaker, gardener and a Scrabble champion.
Private service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
She is survived by son, Thomas (Amy) Loratta of Holualoa; granddaughters, Lux Loratta of Waikoloa, Alyssa Loratta of Holualoa.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.