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.
Donnie Bennett
Donnie “Don” Dean Bennett, 85, of Pahoa, died Jan. 4, 2020, at Hilo Medical Center. Born June 20, 1934, in Alva, Oklahoma, he was a former corporal serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and present commander for Purple Heart, former Commander for VFW Post 3830 and a volunteer driver for the veterans.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. Jan. 23 for a celebration of life at VFW Post 3830 in Nanawale. Graveside urn committal service will be held at noon on Friday Jan. 24 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire.
He is survived by significant other, Flora Schlenk; daughters, Sandra Baldino (Harry) Lanehart of Pennsylvania and Marylyn Bennett of California; grandson, Nick Lanehart of Maryland; step-daughter, Vivian Fithian of Pasadena, California; and brother, Wes (Georgette) Manuel of Louisiana.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
MonaLisa Simao
MonaLisa “Mona” Denise Simao, 69, of Hilo, died Dec. 17, 2019, at her residence. Born July 29, 1950, in Hilo, she was a retired office clerk for Coordinated Services of the County of Hawaii, taxi driver for Hot Lava Taxi and Tours and a member of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church.
Friends may call 5-6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; celebration of life at 6 p.m. Graveside service will follow at noon Jan. 25 at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Clayton Baltero and Dean Baltero, both of Pahoa; daughters, Alethea (Malia) Kaneshiro and Vanessa Higa, both of Hilo; brother, Byron (Joyce) Candaroma, of Hilo; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Filomena Acacio
Filomena Soriano Acacio, 92, of Kapaau, died Dec. 29, 2019, at Kohala Hospital. Born Sept. 20, 1927, in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and a member of the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kohala.
Friends may call 8-10 a.m. Jan. 24 at the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kohala; Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei welcome. Burial at Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemeter.
She is survived by sons, Albert Acacio of Harbor City, California, and Romeo Acacio of North Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Savina Orencillo of Philippines; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Serena Meyer
Serena Nakia Meyer, 58, recently died. Born in Honokaa, she grew up in Paauhau and was a business owner.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Jan. 25 at Honokaa Catholic Church for an 11 a.m. Mass.
She is survived by Kaleo Bidad; father, Henry Meyer Jr.; sisters, Janice Wilcox (Orson), Kathy Stone (Kimo); brother, Gordon Meyer, (Leonette); numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Michael Ben
Michael Ralph Ben, 70, of Hilo, died Jan. 5, 2020, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born June 9, 1949, in Waipahu, Oahu, he was a retired director for the County of Hawaii Department of Human Resources, past SHRM Council Director, past president of the Hawaii Chapter, part-time arbitrator for the Hawaii Labor Relations Board, founding board member of the Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture, past race director for the BIIF high school canoe paddling program, Moku O Hawaii Paddling Association official, and creator of the Hawaii Island Outrigger Paddling Facebook account.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. The family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Betty Ben of Hilo; brothers, Gerald (Renee Fukumoto-Ben) Ben of Kailua-Kona, Robert (Cynthia) Ben of Oahu; sister, Cheryl (Charles Brady) Ben-Brady of Kauai; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Earl Kaina
Earl Kekoa Kaina, 47, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 26, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 24, 1972, in Wahiawa, Oahu, he was a mason.
Friends may call from noon to sunset Jan. 25 at Honaunau Beach for a celebration of life.
He is survived by life partner, Spring Brooks; son, Malakhi Brooks-Kaina; mother, Mary (Stephen) Albrecht, all of Kailua-Kona; father, Charles Kaina of Honolulu; brothers, Daniel Kaina, Jeff Kaina, both of Kailua-Kona; sister, Shannon Kaina of Ocean View; hanai parents, Terry and Clara Brooks; hanai sister, Natasha Terazono, all of Captain Cook; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Rosita Benevides
Rosita “Rose” Orio Benevides, 92, of Hilo, died Jan. 5, 2020, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Jan. 14, 1927, in Hilo, she was a retired packer for Amano Fish Cake Factory and a member of the Pepeekeo Senior Citizens, the American Legion Unit III, and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Jan. 29 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo, for a 7 p.m. service. Services continue from 8:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Manuel (Carla) Benevides III of Volcano and Clayton (Kristie) Benevides of Hilo; daughter, Joycelyn (David) Prudencio of Hilo; sister, Patsy Lizardo of Las Vegas, Nevada; 10 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Maria Panag
Maria Lucas Panag, 91, of Kapaau, died Jan. 5, 2020, at her residence. Born Nov. 30, 1928, in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a retired nursery worker at the Kohala Nursery and member of the Kohala Senior Citizens and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi for a 10 a.m. Mass followed by burial in the Hawi County Cemetery. The family requests casual attire be worn and flowers are welcome.
She is survived by sons, Virgilio (Virginia) Raquiza of Hawi, Reynald (Martha) Raquiza of Kamuela, Marcos (Remi) Raquiza of Kapaau; daughter, Marybel (Jaime) Macaspac of Kapaau; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yvonne De Luz
Yvonne Linda Kaaonohilani De Luz, 77, of Waimea, died Dec. 5, 2019, at her residence. Born July 12, 1942, in Honolulu, she retired from Hilton Waikoloa Village as pantry cook and was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Feb. 8 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea for a 10 a.m. Mass. The family requests casual attire.
She is survived by husband, Jacinth De Luz Jr. of Waimea; sons, Jacinth (Yumi) De Luz III of Waikoloa, Jason (Melita) De Luz of Ahualoa, Jerome (Joe Sweeney) De Luz of West Linn, Ore., James (Bernadette) De Luz of Waikoloa, and Jedfrey (Ryan Johannesen) De Luz of San Francisco; daughter, Lindy (Ed) Guerrero of Benicia, California; brothers, Woodrow (Erlinda) Young, Ronald Young, Wardell Young, all of Waimea; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.