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.
Mark Yamaguchi
Mark Haruo “Cowboy” Yamaguchi, 61, of Waimea, died May 6, 2019, at home. Born April 26, 1958, in Honokaa, he was a third generation cowboy for Parker Ranch and member of Kamuela Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Parker Ranch Round-up Club and Parker Ranch Softball Club, Waimea Little League volunteer and an avid supporter of the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association.
Friends may call at 2 p.m. May 24 at Kamuela Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Church Row, for a 4 p.m. service. The family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by brother, Mack Yamaguchi of Waimea; sisters, Judy (Clifford) Hannah of Gardena, Calif., Debra Maikui of Las Vegas; hanai sister, Deedee Keakealani (Kamuela) Bertelmann of Waimea; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Betty Kagimoto
Betty “Mam” Michiko Kagimoto, 85, of Hilo, died April 10, 2019, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Dec. 4, 1933, in Hilo, she was a retired store manager for the former Runway 7 and owner and operator of the former Milady Beauty Shop.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. May 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire.
She is survived by daughter, Cori Lin (Armin Jr.) Wehrsig of Keaau; brothers, Ronald (Freda) Nishimoto of Pearl City, Oahu, Bert Nishimoto of Naalehu; sister, Cheryl Yoshida of Hilo; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Tsuruko Asato
Tsuruko Akasaki Asato, 96, formerly of Ookala, died April 27, 2019, in Honolulu, Born Dec. 22, 1922, in Paauilo, she was a retired nurse and office manager for a physician in private practice in Hilo, licensed practical nurse for the former Hamakua Infirmary and member of Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. May 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by sons, Earl Asato of Mililani, Oahu, Dean (Irene) Asato of Colorado, Bruce (Brenda) Asato of Honolulu, Scott Asato of Washington; daughter, Eleonora “Ellie” Yamada of Honolulu; four grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard Waltjen
Howard Waltjen, 88, of Hilo, died April 15, 2019, at home. Born Sept. 29, 1930, in Kurtistown, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Jas. W. Glover, Ltd.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. May 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Graveside committal service and burial at 10 a.m. May 28 at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. The family requests aloha attire be worn.
He is survived by siblings, Albert Waltjen of Hilo, Ernest (Madeline) Waltjen of Keaau, Daisy (Arthur) Wyatt of Edmonds, Wash., Mabel DeSilva and Kenneth (Dale) Waltjen of Hilo; hanai children, Lorene (Robert, III) Leslie and Glenn (Della) Taka of Kona, Ronnie Sakoda, Lani Agliam and Jason Taka of Hilo; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nonaina Makahi
Nonaina “Sonny” Hoapili Makahi, 83, of Waikoloa, died May 11, 2019, at his residence. Born in Honolulu, he worked for the former Hyatt Regency Waikoloa and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. He retired as a van driver for Roberts Hawaii and was a member of the Waikoloa Seniors Group, a temple worker in the Laie and Kona Hawaii Temple, and a member of the Waikoloa Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A celebration of life will take place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25 at the Waimea Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Kapiolani Road. A graveside service will take place at Diamond Head Memorial Park in Honolulu at a later date. Family Casual attire.
He is survived by spouse, Claire Lui Makahi of Waikoloa; sister, Liane K.W. Makahi of Honolulu; brother, Merlin (Mieko) Kaimiola Makahi of Honolulu; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.
Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
Howard Alapai, Sr.
Mr. Howard Kalani Alapai, Sr., 78, of Puuanahulu, died May 13, 2019, at his residence. Born in Kealakekua on Aug. 8, 1940, he was a retired heavy equipment operator. He was the owner of Westside Trucking Company, a ranch hand at Puuwaa Ranch, a member of Natural High softball team and a Local 3 operator’s engineer.
A celebration of life will be held at 9 a.m. June 1 at the Puuanahulu Recreation Center in Puuanahulu. The family requests casual attire and no flowers.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Alapai of Puuanahulu; sons, Howard Alapai Jr., Kaleo (Lynell) Alapai of Puuanahulua, Shane (Mercy) Alapai of Denver, Alika (Grace) Alapai of Puuanahulu; daughters, Selena Alapai of Puuanahulu; Anne (Rodney) Hose of Holualoa; hanai sons, Puggy (Malia) Gaspar of Napoopoo and Joe Padillio of Kailua-Kona; brothers, George Alapai and Howard K.K. (Marilee) Alapai of Kailua-Kona; sister, Barbara Tremaine of Waikoloa; one sister-in-law; 21 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.