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.
Isaac-Hiram Lavea
Isaac-Hiram Samson Kaoo Ka’eo “Ike” Lavea, 18, of Hawi, died April 6, 2019. He was born in Waimea, and was a graduate of Kohala Mission School and The Kamehameha Schools Kapalama; a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in biology; and a member of the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Visitation 8-10:30 a.m. May 18 at the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic. A memorial mass will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Casual attire, no flowers.
He is survived by parents, Jonjason Keone Sr. and Sarah Lavea of Hawi; brothers, Jonjason Kahekili Lavea Jr. of Antelope, Ore., Isaiah K. Lavea and Jordan R.N. Lavea of Hawi; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ernest Cann
Ernest K. Cann, 90, of Hilo, died May 1, 2019 at Hilo Medical Center. Born May 25, 1928, in Hilo, he was a retired master sergeant for the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam War; worked at Better Brands Ltd., County of Hawaii Parks &Recreation Department and was a light technician at the Naniloa Hotel.
Friends may call May 22 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, visitation from 9-10 a.m. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 at noon. Casual attire flowers are welcomed.
He is survived by wife, Betty S.A. Cann of Hilo; daughters, Sharon (Terry) Wong of Livermore, California and Patricia (Jimmy) Ferreira of Hilo; son, Stanley (Dee) Cann of Hilo; brother, Richard Cann of Hilo; Five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Norma Kaniho
Norma Joan Kuulei Kaniho, 73, of Waimea, died April 25, 2019 at home. Born June 24, 1945 in Kalopa, she was a former waitress/culinary worker for U.A.L. at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Waimea 1st Ward.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. May 18 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Waimea; Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Casual attire.
She is survived by son, Shannon (Liana) Aveiro of Kawaihae; daughters, Shannette (Miki) Kalaniopio of Kawaihae and Shaynee (Kama) Kaaihili of Waimea; sister, Iwalani (Donald Sr.) Case of Waimea; hanai siblings, Albert Hetrick Sr. of Oahu, Cindy Leong of Oahu and Chada Hetrick of Las, Vegas, Nevada; sisters-in-law, June Coelho of Waimea and Trudy Kaniho of Waimea; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous hanai grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
La Vonnie Miller-Blockson
La Vonnie “L.A.” Bonnie Miller-Blockson, 62, of Keaau, and Charlotte, North Carolina, died March 27, 2019, at home in Keaau. Born June 11, 1956, in Los Angeles, she was a former nurse and caterer, and a missionary for Salisbury Congregation North Carolina East.
Private services.
She is survived by husband, James E. Blockson of North Carolina; daughter, La Vonnie (Roy) Enos of Keaau; sisters, Grace (Jose) Gomez of North Carolina and Emma Wilborne of Texas; four grandsons; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William Groom
William “Cal” Groom, 63, of Hilo, died May 2, 2019 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Brownwood, Texas, he was the executive director of Hawaii Radiologic Associates.
Services will be held in San Antonio, Texas.
He is survived by wife, Cheri Moseley Groom of Hilo; sons, Travis Jordan Groom of San Antonio, Texas and Samuel Logan Groom of Austin, Texas; sister, Barbara Hackney of Arlington, Texas; sisters-in-law, Linda Swierc and Holly Hopkins both of San Antonio, Texas; brothers-in-law, Charles Hackney of Arlington, Texas, Brian Swierc and Rick Hopkins both of San Antonio, Texas; step-mother, Loudele Dowdy of Emory, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Allen Milare
Allen Frank Milare, 69, of Hilo, died April 23, 2019 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. Born March 20, 1950, in Hilo, He was a retired vehicle/CDL license examiner for the County of Hawaii a truck driver for Conen’s Cargo &Freight Co. and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Friends may call May 24 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; visitation from 9- 10:30 a.m.; memorial service/celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire/flower lei are welcomed. An urn committal will be held on May 28 at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 (Columbarium – Niche) at 9 a.m. with military honors.
He is survived by sons, Frank Daniel Keola Milare, Tyler Kahanu (Brandi) Milare and Jason Kanani (Shawndie) Milare of Hilo; two grandsons; sister, Miriam (Jerry) Fernandez of Hilo; mother in-law, Irene Midel of Hilo; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kathryn Mears
Kathryn Juanita Mears, 67, of Hilo, died May 2, 2019, at home. She was born in San Diego, Calif. and was a private housekeeper.
Private services held.
She is survived by son, Anthony (Jay Vea) Ramirez of Hilo; daughters, Connie Ortiz of Colorado and Lisa (Michael) Ortiz-Karklins of Florida; brother, Ray (Carol) Lundgren of Oahu; 10 grandchildren, two great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Arnold Kanetani
Arnold Satoshi Kanetani, 66, of Kurtistown died Nov. 27, 2018 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo and was a retired painter.
Private services held.
He is survived by mother, Masayo Kanetani of Kurtistown; sisters, Karen Kanetani of Hilo, Patricia (Dan) Straight of Colorado and Gail Kanetani of Kahului; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.