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.
Steven Santos
Steven Walter Santos, 42, of Honomu, died Dec. 18, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu.
Visitation only 10-11 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel. Cremation to follow. Casual attire; no flowers.
He is survived by mother, Judy Ann Santos of Honomu; brother, Shane A. Santos of Honomu, goddaughter; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Phillip Fujihara
Phillip Masaru Fujihara, 67, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 31, 2019, at Queen’s Medical Center. Born May 11, 1952, in Kai Malino, South Kona, he was a carpenter foreman and a member of Carpenter’s Union Local 745.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 18 at the family’s residence at Kona Acres, 73-1472 Ihumoe St. in Kalaoa Kona. Celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by his wife, Roselle Fujihara of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Shellie (Preston) Grace of Kealakekua, Roselle (Charleston) Kiaha of Captain Cook, Philana (Christopher Ibarra) Fujihara of Kealakekua; son, Phillip (Keola) Fujihara of Kalaoa, Kona; brothers, Howard Fujihara of Kailua-Kona, Douglas Fujihara of Hilo and Harold Fujihara of Captain Cook; sisters, Lorraine (James) Motoyama of Kealakekua, Lillian (Elson) Mori, Arelene (Mike) Reilly, and Barbara Jean Fujihara, all of Kailua-Kona; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Leeward Funeral Home.
Shelby Hookahi
Shelby Esther Elizabeth Opuulani Hookahi, 28, of Kealakekua, died Nov. 19, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born March 2, 1991, in Hilo, she was a coffee, fruit and plant farmer.
A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napoopoo Road in Napoopoo. The family requests causal attire and flowers are welcome.
She is survived by her companion, Roger Kaleohano of Hookena; sons, Shancen Kaleohano, Stetson Kaleohano; daughters, Shaileia Bannister and Shazzylyn Kaloehano, all of Kealakekua; parents, Arnold and Davolyn Bannister; paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Bannister, all of Kealakekua; sister, Briana Pama; brothers, Kolten (Ashley) Bannister, Travis (Kapua) Pama, all of Kealakekua; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Harold Kawai
Harold “Hal” Michinobu Kawai, 88, of Hilo, died Dec. 28, 2019, at home. Born July 1, 1931, in Pahoa, he was the retired owner of Hal’s Radio &TV Service, Inc., U.S. Army veteran and member of Hilo Meishoin and Senior Bowling League.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by wife, Amy Kawai of Hilo; sisters, Miyuki Isono and Norma Tokushima of Honolulu; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Seigi Yogi
Seigi Yogi, 97, of Hilo, died Nov. 26, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born April 7, 1922, in Hilo, he was a retired owner of Anthuriums of Hawaii and member of Hilo Meishoin and Hui Okinawa.
Private services.
He is survived by brothers, Seitei Yogi and Hiromu (Alice) Yogi of Oahu; sisters, Tsuruko Taira of Hilo, Kimie (Ken) Teruya of Maui; sister-in-law, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles Ishii, II
Charles N. Ishii, II, 34, of Hilo, died Nov. 22, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born July 3, 1985, in Hilo, he was a prep and line cook at numerous restaurants on the Big Island.
Celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. Jan. 11 at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale (799 Piilani Street) in Hilo. If unable to attend, condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 602; Hilo, HI 96721. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by mother, Lea Yamaguchi of Hilo; sister, Brianna Ishii of Hilo; son, Cayden Ishii of Hilo; daughter, Nakayah-Jayde Ishii-Rodrigues of Hilo; maternal grandmother, Rosalie Takayama of Hilo; also by his father, paternal grandparents, numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family members.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo.
Ernest Baldonado
Ernest Baldonado, 64 of Kent, Wash., died Sept. 1, 2019. Born in Pahala, Ka’u, he retired from United Airlines and was a U.S. Army Veteran.
Visitation is 8:30 a.m. with service at 10 Jan. 11 at the Pahala Rosary Church. Lunch to follow at the Pahala Community Center.
He is survived by son, Kainoa (Jenna); daughters Emma and Jessica; brothers, Vince Tolentino, Tony (Cita), Lawrence (Cheryl), Raymond (Shirley), Michael (Samantha), and Rudy; sisters, Lily (Orlando) Antolin, Clarita (Julian) Corpuz, Laverne (Fred) Howard, Clarita (Albert) Kamakura and grandchildren.
He was predeceased by parents, Lazaro and Juanita Baldonado and sisters, Evangeline Calbero , Davelyn Cantrell and one sister-in-law.
Elisa Nerida
Elisa P. Nerida, 86, of Hilo, died Dec. 12, 2019, at Straub Hospital in Honolulu. Born on Sept. 16, 1933, in the Philippines, she retired from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut.
Services held.
Elisa is survived by son, Charles (Melissa) Nerida of Hilo; daughter, Sally (Gilbert) Pimentel of Honolulu; sister Rosario Lacuesta of California; sister-in-law; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews.
Arrangement by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
(An incorrect version of this obituary ran previously)
Tsuneyoshi Matsumoto
Tsuneyoshi Matsumoto, 92, of Keaau, died Dec. 27, 2019, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo. Born Feb. 25, 1927, in Olaa, he was retired from the former Puna Sugar Company and Amfac JMB Hawaii, U.S. Army Korean War veteran and member of Puna Hongwanji Mission, Keaau Village Association and Keaau Senior Golf Club.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. Jan. 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. memorial service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by daughters, Janice (Wayne) Nakagawa of Hilo, Iris Matsumoto of Honolulu; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Albert Haa
Albert Kahiwahiwaokalani Haa, Sr., 89, of Hilo, died Dec. 16 at the University Health Hospital in San Antonio. He was born in Kapoho, HI and was a retired administrator with the Kulani Correctional Facility. He also worked at the Oahu Community Correction Center (OCCC), Hilo Airport Security, KTA floor security, Hawaii Protective Assn., was a paniolo at W.H. Shipman and an equipment operator for Hawaiian Dredging. An avid bowler, he was a member of numerous bowling clubs, member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 9 and a retired Hawaii Army National Guard platoon sergeant and Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
Visitation 9-11 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 9) at the Dodo Mortuary chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire.
Survived by caregiver, Kamaile Moniz of Hilo; daughters, Melissa L. (Patrick) Moniz of San Antonio, Ida-Mae L. (Ted) Furukado and Willyann Quanan of Hilo and Dene (Eddy) Ganir of Oahu; sons, Albert K. (Bernice) Haa, Jr. of Hilo and Chad K. Haa of Hilo; 18 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; numerous nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo
Francis Makaiwi
Francis “Ben” Makaiwi, 45, of Hilo, died Dec. 18 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo and was a warehouse and delivery driver with Hawaii Paper Products and a Chef at the Lava Rock Café in Volcano.
Celebration of Life 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, (Jan. 8) at the Onekahakaha Beach Park Large Pavilion.
Survived by: wife, Mary De Lima of Hilo; son, Benjamin Kelii Makaiwi of Hilo; sister, Cynthia (Ernie) Matsumoto of Hilo; mother, June Kauhi Ma’e of Hilo; hanai parents, Ola &Kathy Tripp of Volcano; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and hanai children.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo
Robert DeMattos
Robert “Bobby” Brian DeMattos, 65, of Ookala and Kula, died Dec. 10, 2019 at home. Born in Honokaa in September of 1954, he was a member of Monarchy MC, Waihee and worked at the Maui Community Correctional Center for many years.
A visitation will be held Jan. 11 at the Holy Ghost Mission Catholic Church in Kula, Maui from 9-11a.m. with memorial service at 11. A burial service will be held 9 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Ookala Catholic Church Cemetery in Ookala. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
He is survived by his wife, Laura Montalvo DeMattos; son, Robert DeMattos Jr. of Ookala; two daughters, Denise (Corey) Kusunoki of Kahului and Dee Ann (Kenneth) Morreira of Kula; his hanai mother, Monica Cockett; a brother, Jimbo (Kiki) Medeiros of Waihee; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Anita Mathews
Anita Louise Mathews, 84, of Hilo, Hawaii, died Dec. 26, 2019, with her family. Born in Kukuihaele, Feb. 15, 1935, she was retired from the Hilo Hospital, a member of the Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo and Anela Street Kumiai.
Visitation will be held on Jan. 10 at the Church of the Holy Cross (440 W. Lanikaula Street) from 4-5 p.m.; funeral service will begin at 5.
Aloha attire is requested. Graveside Committal Service and Burial will take place 10 a.m. Jan. 11, at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section (388 Ponahawai Street) in Hilo, Hawaii.
She is preceded in death by her son, Hardy. Survived by sister, Elsie Rivera of Kent, Washington; grandsons, Travis Mathews and Joelan Mathews; granddaughters, Lanalyn Abadilla, Reyna Mathews and Sheena Mathews; numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.