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.
Esther Delaries
Esther Blanche Delaries, 91, of Keauhou, died Dec. 23, 2018 at her residence. Born in Honolulu on Oct. 18, 1927, she was a member of Mokuaikaua Congregational Church and a preschool teacher there for many years, as well as a member of the Women’s Fellowship. She also worked as a cashier at Oshima Drug Store.
Private services were held.
She is survived by her daughters, Annette (Clifford) Madawi of Keauhou, Marlene Stockwell of Madera, California, and Anita (Bill Warden) Delaries of Johns Creek, Georgia; sons, Harvey (Sue) Delaries and Vernen (Mollie) Delaries of Keauhou, Warren (Lucy) Delaries of Kealakehe; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Delaries, Magdalena Pucong, Agnes Kihara, all of Kailua-Kona and Donisia Drummond, Pua Delaries and Della Tapiro, all of Hilo; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
John Piert
John Steven Piert, 68, of Captain Cook, died Dec. 11, 2018 at Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Pasco, Washington on March 18, 1950, he was a graduate of the University of Idaho as a landscape architectural designer. He was a coffee farmer and wood worker.
Visitation will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 78-6955 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa for a 2 p.m. memorial service.
He is survived by his wife, Dee K. Piert of Captain Cook; sisters, Sandra (Bryon) Fitch of Washington, Sharon (Duane) Fitch of Idaho; an aunt, Christell Standridge of California; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Betsy Nabarro
Betsy Nabarro, 69, of Hilo, died Dec. 18, 2018 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born Dec. 1, 1949 in Hilo.
No services.
She is survived by life partner, Myron Subica; sister, Brenda (Joseph FH Masuno, Sr.) Nabarro; brother in-law, Nathan Wilson, Jr.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ralph Gens
Ralph Samuel Gens, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 3, 2019. He was born in Berlin, Germany on Nov. 25, 1924, he served in the U.S. Army, during World War II, and worked as chief engineer at the Bonneville Power Administration.
Private services will be held. The family suggests donations to the Kahalu’u Bay Education Center, https://kohalacenter.org/kbec. Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by son David (Cynthia) Gens of Portland, Oregon; daughter Marilyn-Renee Gens Johnson of Kailua-Kona; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins.
Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Jerry Oliveira
Jerry “J.O.” Anthony Oliveira, 77, of Hilo, died Dec.19, 2018 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on July 31, 1941 in Pepeekeo, he was a retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and former mechanic for Hilo Motor. He was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo; member of Anuenue Athletic baseball and basketball club, member of Hui Na Kalohe baseball team, and member of Hilo Post Office baseball and basketball team.
Visitation will be held from 8-9:15 a.m. Jan. 14 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Section 7. The family requests casual attire and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Mary Jean “Jeanne” Oliveira of Hilo; sons, Paul Oliveira of Hilo and Shane (Terrie) Oliveira, Sr. of Hilo; hanai daughter, Melissa Waugh of Hilo; siblings, Betty Lou Van Sickle of Hilo, Kenneth (Dorothy) Oliveira of Hilo and Rose Marie (Don) Hofstedler of Wyoming; three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Norman Yamamoto
Norman Sachio Yamamoto, 74, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 2, 2019 at the Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hamakua on Nov. 16, 1944, he was an electrical engineer. He was also a produce clerk at Choice Mart and a fisherman.
Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Regency at Hualalai in Kailua-Kona for an 11 a.m. memorial service.
He is survived by his sons, Shawn (Dorothy) Yamamoto of Huntington Beach, California and Keith Yamamoto of California; brother, Howard (Ginger) Yamamoto of Oregon; sister, Delna (Russell) Komo of Kailua-Kona; two grandsons.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Kona Branch.
Jill Hicks
Jill Ann Ednie Hicks died Oct. 29, 2018. She was a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a respected colleague at American University.
A memorial service was held. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on behalf of the Youth Group.
She is survived by husband, Michael Brian Hicks; children, Zachary, Tiare, and Hunter; mother, Marilyn; father, James Ednie; sisters, Kimberly Ednie (Rommel Raj) and Jean Ednie Johnson (C. Robert).
Robert DeLima
Robert J. DeLima, 80, of Hilo, died Dec. 24, 2018 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a cowboy and rancher and started early as a jockey. He enlisted in the National Guard at 16 years old and was also a jockey in the mainland. Upon returning back to Hawaii he helped start the Hawaii Rodeo Association (HRA) and entered all events in all of the rodeos for many years, also ran and owned a dairy and later a piggery, then worked as a plumber for his uncle at DeLima’s Plumbing.
Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel for a memorial visitation. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by his sons, Robert L. (Elka) DeLima, Casey DeLima and Billy DeLima, all of Hilo; daughter, Tracy (Herman) Ludwig of Hilo; sisters, Eileen DeLima, Hedy Franklin, Katie (Leroy) Perez and Marlene (Reggie) Leite, all of Hilo; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Manuel Correa
Manuel Correa, Jr., 88 of Pahoa, died on Dec. 28, 2018 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on March 31, 1930 in Honolulu, he was a crossing guard at Keonepoko Elementary School. Manuel was also retired from Kamehameha School Food Service, Teamsters Union.
Services to be held on Jan. 19 at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo – 570 Kinoole St. Family viewing from 8-9 a.m., public viewing from 9-10 a.m., followed by service and prayers. Family request casual/aloha attire.
Manuel is survived his wife, Audrey Santos-Correa of Pahoa; sons, Manny Kekoa (Javelyn Victorino) Correa of Kailua-Kona, Elias Kanakaokai Kona of Honolulu; hanai daughter, Sandy (Kekoa Hao) Mandaquit of Las Vegas; one granddaughter, Mandi-Lei Lehua Correa; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Molly Yano
Molly Setsuko Nakagomi Yano, of Kailua-Kona, died on Dec. 30, 2018. Born in Mountain View on Nov. 23, 1923, she worked as a nurse and x-ray technician.
Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kealakekua at 9 a.m. Jan. 12. The family requests no gifts or flowers.
She is survived by daughters, Beverly Antolin of Kailua Kona, Carolyn Yano of Honolulu; four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Peter Altomare
Peter J. Altomare, 68 of Kamuela, died on Dec. 1, 2018 at home. Born on Dec. 15, 1949 in Boston Massachusetts, he was a retired engineer and consultant. Strong active member of the Democratic Party, former communist party member, strong union member and a Unitarian Universalist.
Peter is survived by close friends RoxAnne M. Lawson and Lenny Lundstrom of Kamuela.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Walter Shumbo
Walter Shumbo, 63 of Hilo, died Dec. 22, 2018 at home. He was born on Nov. 2, 1955 in Middletown, Connecticut.
Walter is survived by mother, Ruth Shumbo of Colchester, Connecticut; brothers, Ted Shumbo of East Hampton, Connecticut, Joe Shumbo of New Hartford, Connecticut, Tom Shumbo of Colchester, Connecticut; half-brothers, Steven Shumbo of Plainville, Connecticut, Alan Shumbo of Farmington, Connecticut; four nieces and three nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Sumiko Suzuki
Sumiko Oshita Suzuki, 82, of Hilo, died Nov. 11, 2018. Born in Hilo in October of 1936, she was a member of the Kaumana Baptist Church.
Private services were held. Online condolences can be sent to www.homelanimemorialpark.com.
She is survived by her husband, Harry Suzuki; a daughter, Judi (Chris) Antoszek of California; a sister, Elsie Nakasone of Honolulu; and two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Jean Mallion
Jean Louise Mallion, 90, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 10, 2018 at her family’s residence in Honokaa. Born June 10, 1928 in Bethany, Ontario, Canada, she was a retired bookkeeper and founding member of Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.
Private service to be held.
She is survived by daughters, Janis Walholm, Victoria Mallion both of Honokaa; sister, Doris Semple; brother, George Fair both of Ontario, Canada; granddaughter, Elizabeth Mallion of Honokaa; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Diana Aki
Diana Puakina Aki, 76, of Hilo, died on Jan. 8, 2019 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on July 11, 1942 in Hilo, she was the Legendary Songbird of Milolii, entertainer and songwriter, Hawaiian educator at Hale O Ho’oponopono and a former early educator. She was also a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Visitation will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; funeral Service at 6:30 p.m.; cremation to follow. Casual attire and no flowers. For more information, please contact Shane Aki at (907) 978-3388.
She is survived by sons, Benjamin Akana, Eisen (Sylvia) Aki, Fidelis (Cristine) Aki, Jr., Kevin (Francine “Weegee”) Aki, Jason Aki and Shane (Stacey) Aki; hanai daughter, Pi’ilani (Kiki) Johnson; 27 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Harold Pinnow
Harold Douglas Pinnow, Jr., 47, of Pahoa, died on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on Dec.3, 1971 in Hilo, he was the garage supervisor for Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Services in Keaau, a cafeteria helper and custodian for Mt. View Elementary School, a machine operator for Puna Rock, a mechanic for Rannikk’s Auto Specialists, and worked for the family business HJD Auto Body Repair. He was also a member of Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church, an active member of Penn Fitness, and drag racer.
Visitation will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; wake service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 8-9:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church; funeral mass at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Roberta Enrica Pinnow; daughters, Sheena (Travis) Pinnow, Shalynn (Travis) Pinnow, Liayla-Romona Pinnow and Liana-Rose Pinnow; son, Harold (Tiare) Pinnow, III; parents, Harold (Tommie) Pinnow, Sr. and Loretta Pinnow; brothers, Jon (Chasaty) Pinnow and Donn (Nicolette) Pinnow; step-brother, Bill Trask; step-sister, Mahina Trask; nephew, Donn Pinnow, Jr.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Tokino Hirata
Tokino Hirata, 99, of Kailua-Kona died at home on Jan. 2, 2019. Born May 22, 1919, in Kaiwiki (Hilo), she grew up on a coffee farm in Kealakekua. She married Teruo Hirata of Honaunau, a coffee farmer, there. She was an accomplished seamstress. She worked at Ming’s Jewelers as a pearl setter, at Sure Save Deli, and at Mauna Loa Mac Nut Factory. She was a member of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Waiaha Kumiai, and the Kona Fukuoka Kenjinkai.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers and monetary gifts, donations may be made to Hospice of Kona (PO Box 4130, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745) or Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (PO Box 769 Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750). Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
She is survived by sons Jerry (Elaine) Hirata of Kailua-Kona, Ronald (Sandra) Hirata of Kailua-Kona, and Glenn (Laura) Hirata of Kaneohe, Oahu; daughter Jeanne (James) Carpenter of Hilo; brother Nobuo Matsui of Hilo; 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.