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.
Emiko Iwashita
Emiko Iwashita, 91, of Chandler, Ariz., died Jan. 17, 2019, in Chandler. Born in Pohakea, she was a retired bookkeeper for Koreaki Iwashita Contracting and former member of Double Nine Golf Club, Hilo Kamana Gateball Club and several Hilo bowling leagues.
Private services. No koden.
She is survived by son, Andrew (Joyce K. F.) Iwashita of Hilo; daughters, Iris (Myron) Yamauchi of Pohakea and Lori (Mitch) Wertman of Chandler, Ariz.; brothers, Tsugio (Yoshie) Araki of Los Angeles, Masayoshi (Kathleen) Araki of Hilo; sister, Asako Miyamoto of Hilo; two brothers-in-law; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Lionel Gaspar
Lionel Kaahihilani Gaspar, 88, of Napoopoo, died Jan. 28, 2019, at his residence. Born in Napoopoo on Jan. 3 1931, he was a truck driver for J.M. Tanaka and Jay Matsuoka Construction Company. He was a member of Kahikolu Congregational Church, Operating Engineers and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Visitation will be held at 8 a.m. Feb. 9 at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napoopoo Road. Memorial service will begin at 9 a.m. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
He is survived by his sons, Lionel Gaspar, Jr. of Napoopoo, Clifford (Levie) Gaspar of Kailua-Kona and Kaleilani Olsen of Maui; daughters, Ipo Gaspar-Hodges of Forestville, California and Melody (Derrick) Carvalho of Napoopoo; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Katsumi Takamoto
Katsumi Takamoto, 97, of Kainaliu, died Jan. 17, 2019, at her residence. Born in Volcano on Aug. 15, 1921, she was a housewife. She was a member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Kona Machi Gumi and Kumamoto Kenjin Kai.
Private services were held.
She is survived by her daughters, Janet Fujikawa of Kainaliu, Sharon Hynynen of St. George, Utah, Judy Amano of Kainaliu; two daughters-in-law; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Christina Eckman-Shumaker
Christina Eckman-Shumaker, 65 of Hilo, died Jan. 24, 2019, at Life Care Center Hilo. She was born on Aug. 23, 1953, in Coos, Ore. She was a homemaker.
Christina is survived by spouse, Troy J. Shumaker; daughter Hannah Long and one grandchild.
Arrangements by: Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Sandra Powers
Sandra “Sandy” Louise Powers, 62, of Pahoa died Jan. 20, 2019, at Hawaii Care Choice Pohai Malama Hospice. Born in Santa Monica, Calif., she was a retired customs officer for the federal government, musician and French hornist with the Hawaii County Band and was an avid hiker.
Private services.
She is survived by sisters, Virginia Powers of Hilo, Judy Williams of Pahoa; brother, Jerry Powers of Sacramento, California; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nick Kailipaka
Nick Keone Kailipaka, 50, of Hilo, died Jan. 28, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on March 10, 1968, in Hilo, he worked for a car rental company in Hilo.
Friends may call from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service and celebration of life is at 11:30 a.m. Flowers and lei are welcomed.
He is survived by mother, Lillian N. Kailipaka of Hilo; wife, Kim Kailipaka of Hilo; sons, Kaipo (Becca Hiraishi) Kailipaka, Keli’i (Kaley Bannister) Kailipaka and Kamaha’o Kailipaka of Hilo; sisters, Charmanine (Moki) Day of Maui and Tammy Ann Ryan of Kailua-Kona; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.