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.
Kelvin Komeiji
Kelvin Yuji Komeiji, 58, of Hilo, died June 22, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 13, 1961, in Honolulu, he was a retired Department of Education transportation officer and member of United Public Workers, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Andrews Athletics, Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, National Rifle Association and Ahualani Community Association.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. July 13 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Charlene Komeiji; sons, Kasey (Catherine) Komeiji, Keenan (Kiana Taosaka-Kelii) Komeiji; daughter, Keisha Komeiji; parents, Walter and Mary Komeiji; brother, Gary (Karen) Sato; sister, Shareen (Ray) Kamai; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Chitsuko Asuka
Chitsuko Asuka, 91, of Hilo, died June 29, 2019, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born July 13, 1927, in Kukuihaele, she was retired from the former Dr. John M. Zelko Ophthalmologist’s office and member of Tenrikyo Church and Upper Kaumana Kumiai.
Private services were held.
She is survived by husband, Robert Asuka of Hilo; son, Darrell Asuka of Hilo; daughters, Audrey (John) Kusiak of Santa Fe, N.M., Norine (Scott Tamura) Asuka of Honolulu; brother, Robert (Janis) Kashimoto of Tucson, Ariz.; one stepgrandson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Eric Chandler
Eric Eugene Kamakahia’ai Chandler, 67, of Hilo, died June 27, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 24, 1951, in Puyallup, Wash., he was an artist, designer and events coordinator in Hawaii’s fashion and pageant industry, president of University of Hawaii at Manoa special events art gallery, co-founder of 2Couture, mentor and life coach, employee of the former Waiakea Resort Village in Hilo and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ainaola Ward.
A memorial service and celebration of life from 4 p.m. Aug. 10, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hawaii Kai, 219 Lunalilo Home Road in Honolulu.
He is survived by lifetime partner, Takeo Kobayashi of Hilo; a brother and sister in Washington.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard De Yager
Howard De Yager, 95, of Keaau and formerly of Henderson, Nev., died June 21, 2019, at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Garfield, N.J., he was a retired senior test analyst with Litton Industries. He was also a flight officer with the US Army Air Corp and a World War II veteran.
Private family services were held.
He is survived by daughter, Kathleen (Martin) Katz of Keaau; son, Robert (Kathleen) De Yager of Henderson, Nev.; three grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Nancy Okimura
Nancy Masayo Okimura, 87, of Hilo, died May 17, 2019, at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. She was born in Hilo and was a retired manager for the former Dick’s Coffee House.
Private family services were held. No koden.
She is survived by sons, Sam Lara of Hilo, Ken (Lynn) Lara of Waikoloa, Raymond (Donna) Lara of Hilo and Kevin (Sandra) Okimura of Hilo; sisters, Doreen Usui of Hilo, Karen (Jim) Matthews of Florida and Marlene (Sam) Visaisouk of Toronto, Canada; brother, Harley (Martha) Ishii of Mililani; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Jerry Russell, Sr.
Mr. Jerry Thomas Russell, Sr., 78, of Kailua-Kona, died June 27, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 21, 1941, in London, Ohio, he was a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class E-7, a maintenance man in a Texas veterans office; worked as an office clerk at the VA clinic and was a member of the American Legion.
Memorial services will be held at 9 a.m. July 10 at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by his wife, Blossom Russell of Kailua-Kona; sons, Jerry Russell Jr. of Kailua-Kona, Kenny-James (Desiree) Russell of Kailua, Oahu, and Genesis (Alexia) Russell of Texas; daughters, Vanesa Russell and Myra-Lynn (Kawika Robello) Russell of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Christophe Moore and Okie (Valerie) Moore of Dayton, Ohio and William (Jamie) Russell of Honolulu; sisters, Omelia Moore of Kentucky and Bambi-Lynn Russell of Honolulu; 16 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Adeline Makuakane
Ms. Adeline Kahela Makuakane, 68, of Hilo, died June 2, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker, former production worker at Hilo Quality Cleaners, former waitress at Jimmy’s Drive Inn &the Hilo Lanes Restaurant, former member of the Hawaiian Bowling Club and former church attendee of Ka’Uhane Hemolele o ka Malamala Church, Haili Church Kuhio Chapel and the Opihikao Congregational Church.
Visitation will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. July 14 at Rod Haili’s Tent in Panaewa where a celebration of life will be held. Casual attire.
She is survived by son, William Kalae Makuakane of Hilo; sisters, Margie (Gerald) Abiley, Millicent (Herbert) Riedel-Majamay, Cindy Wilson, and Robyn (Greer) Riedel, all of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and hanai family.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Charles Kaiawe
Charles Kalani Kaiawe, 44, of Hilo, died May 23, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kailua-Kona and was a truck driver with Hawaii Gas, fisherman and a member of the Central Kawailani Kumiai.
Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. July 13 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., followed by burial at the Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire, no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Candice Kaiawe of Hilo; daughters, Carly (Thor) Soder and Kaylee Kaiawe of Honomu; stepson, Donavan Wills of Hilo; stepdaughters, Ciera Wills of Colorado and Rachel Edward of Boston, Mass.; brother, Aaron (Heather) Kaiawe of Kona; sister, Tina (Wayne) Mattos of Honokaa; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Elemelec Aguinaldo
Elemelec “Eley” “Melec” Erorita Aguinaldo, 80, of Papaikou, died June 26, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines and was a retired vegetable farmer and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Visitation will be from 8-9:30 a.m. July 12 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass will be held at 10 a.m., followed by burial at the Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Maura Aguinaldo of Papaikou; sons, Jerry (Belen) Aguinaldo and Nixon (Imelda) Aguinaldo of Waipahu, Emilio (Milagros) Aguinaldo and Joy (Lewelyn) Aguinaldo of Papaikou and Zaldy (Grace) Aguinaldo of Virginia; daughters, Marilou (Ben) De Vera of Ewa Beach, Elenita (Noel) Julian of Pepeekeo and Maydanell (Charles) Lim of Missouri; sister, Noemi (Fidel) Cadavona of Kalihi; 19 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Alvin Izumi
Alvin Cory Izumi, 48, of Kailua-Kona, died June 27, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Dec. 24, 1970, in Kealakekua, he was a cashier for Matsuyama Food Mart.
No services at this time. Condolences to the family may be sent to Alvin H. Izumi at P.O. Box 13, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725.
He is survived by father, Alvin Izumi; brother, Bradley Izumi both of Kailua-Kona; an uncle, aunt, cousins and friends.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Tomoe Tokeshi
Tomoe Tokeshi, 85, of Hilo, died June 4, 2019, at Pohai Malama. She was a former employee of Zippy’s Restaurant in Honolulu and a member of the Hilo Hooganji Mission.
Private services were held. No koden.
She is survived by son, Gordon Tokeshi of Keaau; two daughters, Cynthia Kawamura of Honolulu, and Karen (Jun) Tumacder of Honolulu; brother, Satoru Yamashita of Honolulu; one grandchild.
Daniel Oliveira
Daniel “Danny” Oliveira, 59, of Papaikou, died June 12, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 23, 1960, in Hilo, he was an opihi picker and fisherman.
Viewing will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. July 13 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Papaikou. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at Kalaoa Catholic Cemetery, Papaikou. Casual attire and no monetary donations.
He is survived by sons, Kaniela (Shawna) Oliveira of Kailua-Kona and Jason (Sahara) Oliveira of Ka’u; stepfather, Manuel A. Soares, Jr. of Hilo; brothers, David (Jennifer) Oliveira of Kurtistown and Antone (Candy Mullins) Oliveira of Hilo; three grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Juanita Ulep
Juanita Ulep, 94, of Pahoa, died June 19, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 25, 1925, in Umingan, Pangasinan, Philippines, she worked for MacFarms of Hawaii as a macadamia nut hand harvester and she also was a member of the Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Friends may call 6-7 p.m. July 18 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 7 p.m. wake service. Friends may call again 9-10 a.m. July 19 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service is at 10 a.m. Casual attire, flowers and lei are welcomed. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section.
She is survived by sons, Felipe, Jr. (Fidelia) Ulep of Philippines, Danilo (Luzviminda) Ulep of Naalehu and Roberto (Mary Jane) Ulep of Pahoa; daughters, Rosita (Narciso) Tadeo of Keaau, Maria (Leonarda) Ulep of Pahoa, Cecilia (Binido Prado) Ulep of Philippines numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Arrangement by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Joe Clark
Joe Clark, 79, died June 2, 2019. Born Jan. 23, 1930 in Montesano, Wash., he enlisted in the Navy Foreign Sea Service after high school and served over four years in the United Nations, China Services and Naval Occupation of the Korean War. He was as a partner in Liddell Construction Supply, and married Diane Ortner in Kamuela in 1994.
Memorial donations can be made to Legacy Hospice Portland, giving@lhs.org, or the Michael J Fox foundation for Parkinsons.
He is survived by stepchildren, Lauren Colombani, Paul Ortner IV, Stephanie Glyzewski, Kristin Baldwin, Jennifer Ortner, and his adopted children, Michael Clark and Linda Clark; one granddaugther, and eight step-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Crown Memorial Centers, Cremation &Burial in Oregon.
Latu Kahumoku
Mrs. Latu “Valengi” Seletute Kalekale Tesi Kahumoku, 74, of Kailua-Kona, died June 24, 2019, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born Dec. 1, 1944, in Nukualofa, Tonga, she was a retired housekeeper at the Four Seasons Resort and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A wake service will be held from 6-9 p.m. July 18 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1st Ward on Kalani Street in Kailua-Kona. Visitation will continue at the church at 8 a.m. July 19, with funeral service at 10 a.m. followed by burial at noon at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
She is survived by her daughters, Pielina Tesi, Ekelika Tesi, Selaima Langi and Uini (Patrick) Braz, all of Kailua-Kona; 10 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.