Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Richardson Smith, Sr.
Richardson “Smitty” Kealoha Smith Sr., 75, of Kailua-Kona, died March 13, 2019, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born Feb. 21, 1944, in Honolulu, he was a retired chief agent for Hawaiian Airlines, lifelong member of Kai O Pua Canoe Club and a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran.
Visitation is 9 a.m. May 18 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Service at 11 a.m., luncheon to follow.
He is survived by wife, Linda Lani Holt-Smith; mother of his children, Caroline Smith; sons, Kauhane (Berni) Smith, Ipo (Ulu) Smith all of Kailua-Kona, Waioli Ogawa of California; daughters, Lehua (Luku) Amone of Kailua-Kona, Malia (Gil) Madriaga of Honolulu; one daughter-in-law; sister, Adeline Lewi of Kailua-Kona; brother, Delbert (Cindy) Smith of Kailua-Kona; 21 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Berne Hal-Mann
Berne Hal-Mann, 92, of Kealakekua, died April 22, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 1926, he was a professional musical entertainer. He was a member of the Musician’s Union, Kona Lions Club, American Legion and a U.S. Army veteran.
Visitation will be held at 8 a.m. May 1 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Kealakekua; mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by burial at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
He is survived by his wife Angie Hal-Mann; sons, Brandon Lee (Melissa) Hal-Mann, Bern (Sharon) Parker, George Concepcion, and Vernon Parker; daughters, Hollis (Edward) Catrett, Celeste (Gary) Ganeku, Maria Hal-Mann, Bernique Hal-Mann and Ann (Stephen) Kaplan Mulholland; sister, Dora Concepcion; brother, Rudy Concepcion; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Elroy Osorio, Sr.
Elroy Thomas Leialoha Osorio, Sr. died April 1, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on Sep. 6, 1924, he was in the Merchant Marines, a police officer, a lineman for Hawaiian Telephone, a real estate broker, a councilman for Hawaii County, a Realtor, CCIM designee, served on the CCIM Board of Supervisors, a marketing representative for Title Guaranty, belonged to several Chambers of Commerce and led as Chamber president, was a current member of the Elks Club and Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, a long-time Republican and participated in the kupuna program in Keaukaha.
A visitation will be held 9-11 a.m. May 4 at Haili Church with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
He is survived by wife, Delene; children, Leoannalissa “Bebe” (Ah Lun Yung) Yung, Elroy T.L. (Jennifer) Osorio Jr., Dr. Jonathan (Mary) Osorio, David (Sweetie) Osorio, Matthew (Melissa Tasaki) Osorio and Emil “Ecko” (Carla) Osorio; stepdaughter Christy (Regan Mizuguchi) Holt-Mizuguchi; one sister-in-law; one niece; 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
George Gellepes
George Gellepes, 63, of Hawaiian Beaches, died April 15, 2019, in Hilo. He was born in California in October of 1955.
A private service was held. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by his son, Zachary Gellepes of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Anastasha Gellepes Langer of San Antonio, Texas; mother Kathryn Heller of Honolulu; father, Sam Gellepes of Walnut Creek, California; and brother, Deno Gallepes of Honolulu.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Jeffrey K. H. Sue
Jeffrey Ku Heong Sue, 63, of Hilo, died Friday, April 5, 2019 at home. Born in Honolulu in June of 1955, he was a retired Sergeant of the Hawaii Police Department and worked for Securitas at the Hilo Airport. He was also a member of the Word Of God Church.
A visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. May 4 at New Hope Christian Fellowship Kupulau with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. The family requests no flowers. An urn burial will be held at Diamond Head Memorial Park at a later date. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by his wife, Lorna Sue of Hilo; son, Chad (Shayne) Sue of Hilo; daughter, Faren (Mark Nakamura) Sue of Hilo; two brothers, Ronald Sue of Honolulu and Leonard Sue of Honolulu; three sisters, Carolyn (Gary) Yoshitake of Honoulu; Diane (Arnold) Kajioka of Honolulu; and Yvonne Ono of Hilo; five grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Siosiua Alatini
Siosiua Alatini, 59, of Keaau, died April 4, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on May 23, 1959, in Tonga, he was the owner of Alatini Tree Experts.
Services to be held on May 4 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 16-1472 Keaau-Pahoa Road. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Service 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery-LDS section at 1 p.m.
He is survived by his wife Gloria Roldan-Alatini of Keaau; sons Bradley Kalani Roldan of Seattle, Cody Roldan of Seattle, Danny Rasmussen of Arkansas; daughters Vanessa Veni Malia Alatini of Hilo, Crystal Rasmussen of Honolulu, Cindy Rasmussen of Arkansas; brothers Helu Alatini of Ewa Beach, Aisea Alatini of Tonga, sisters Sofolonia Asiate Tonga of Tonga, Lingiahi Motuliki of Tonga, Feofaaki A Vahafolau Finau of Tonga; hanai mother Diana (Tuai) Latu of Arizona; hanai brothers Edwen (Donned) Alatini of Pahoa, Kahekina (Stefanie) Havea of Keaau; hanai sister Kuuipo Alatini of Arizona; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Futoshi Aoki
Futoshi “Fred” Aoki, 91, of Hilo, died April 19, 2019, at a foster care home in Hilo. Born May 23, 1927, in Papaikou, he was the retired owner of Fred’s Service, had also worked for HT&T, Standard Oil Company/Chevron and Fukunaga Electrical, was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, and a member of Taishoji Soto Mission.
Private services were held.
He is survived by wife, Yukiko Aoki of Hilo; son, Kent (Guia) Aoki of Hilo; daughter, Pam Deniz of Hilo; brother, Junichi Aoki of Papaikou; several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Rhodes
James Melvin Rhodes, 80, of Kurtistown, died April 11, 2019. Born on December 1, 1938, he was an artist in the fine art promotions industry.
A celebration of life will be held at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo: 141 Kalakaua Street Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, from 1-4 p.m. May 11. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Ellen Rhodes; sons, John (Warren) Tracy, and Patrick (Karrieanne) Tracy; daughter, Tiare (Lawrence) Giardina; brother, Fred (Lani) Rhodes, sister, Sheila (Neil) Swain; three grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Tehani Castaneda-Naboa
Tehani Kale’a Castaneda-Naboa, of Naalehu, died March 24, 2019, at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. She was born on March 8, 2019, in Honolulu.
Services will be held on May 11 at Naalehu Sacred Heart Church, 95-5558 Mamalahoa Highway, Naalehu, HI 96772. Visitation 8-10 a.m., service/Mass at 10 a.m.
She is survived by her father Mervin “Boyo” Naboa of Naalehu; mother Heather Naboa of Naalehu; brothers Isaiah, Imiloa, Iolana, Ioane Naboa of Naalehu; sister Tiani Castaneda-Naboa of Naalehu; grandparent Loretta Naboa of Kailua-Kona; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Teruko Hara
Teruko Hara, age 91, of Hilo, died March 29, 2019, in the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo March 22, 1928, she was retired from the Marriott Catering Services Company at the University of Hawaii at Hilo cafeteria as a food service worker. She worked at the former Hilo Dry Goods and retired from the Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School as a cafeteria lunch monitor. She also volunteered at the Hui Okinawa Summer Camp. She was a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Kamana Senior Center and Hilo High School Class of 1947 Class Reunion Committee.
Private services held. No flowers and no koden (monetary offerings). Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
She is survived by son, Edwin (Portia) Hara of Hilo; daughters, Elaine (Robert) Yoshizumi of Hilo, Donna (Marty) Shimizu of Hilo and Cindy Hara of Hilo; sisters, May Murakami of Hilo and Masako (Taro) Matsuura of Minnesota; three grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo.
