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.
Barbara Hoffman
Barbara Jean Hoffman, 82, of Hilo died Feb. 16 at home. She was born in LaSalle, Ill. and was the co-owner of Boathouse Hawaii.
Private services held.
Survived by sons, Gene (Cindy Fuke) Rynkewicz of Hilo, Randy (Louise) Rynkewicz of Missouri and Tom (Brittani) Rynkewicz of Peru, Ill.; step-sons, Mark (Lani) Hoffman and Jeffrey Hoffman of Baytown, Texas; eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hailee-Jane Black
Hailee-Jane “Kimberley M. Fraser” Black, 35, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 8, 2020 in Kailua-Kona. Born June 18, 1984, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she was part owner of Video Showplace, a waitress, cocktail server, boat crew member, bank teller, and office administrator, founding member of Malama I Na Keiki Hanai and served as secretary for the nonprofit.
A celebration of life will be held in July.
She is survived by son, Kolbe Welser of Kailua-Kona; parents, Michael and Beverly Fraser of Kailua-Kona; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Canada and Australia.
Betty Wong
Betty Jane Kwei Jun Ching Wong, 92, of Hilo, died Feb. 21, 2020 in Hilo. Born in Honolulu; she was a member of Kailua Senior Citizen’s Club, and retired from Windward Toyota on Oahu.
Private Services will be held at later date.
She is survived by children, Michelle Noe Noe (Tom Woody Wilson) Wong-Wilson of Hilo; Michael Kimo (Shelley Holt) Wong of Alexandria, Virginia, Bonny Leiola (James) Kahalewai of Honolulu; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Roy Alonza
Roy Alonzo, 78, of Hilo, died Feb. 2, 2020 in Hilo. Born Jan. 6, 1942, in Keaau, he held a black belt in karate, was a volleyball player and coach, and farmer and worked in construction.
Private services.
He is survived by two sisters and a brother.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ernestine Kealoha
Ernestine “Ernie” Makalapua Kealoha, 71, of Hilo, died Feb. 14, 2020 at Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born Nov. 17, 1948, in Honolulu, she was a receptionist for Floral Resources, also worked at the former Hilo Lanes and Hawaiian Tel and member of New Hope Church Hilo.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. March 13 at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale for a service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Conrad (Candace Acia) Kealoha of Hilo; siblings, Diane (Tante) Yadao of Honolulu, Kim (Paul) Michele of Pennsylvania, Roberta Banks and Kenneth (Ella) Akim-Seu of Keaau, Patricia (Michael) Hodson of Waimea, Candace Johnson of Oahu; father, Woodrow (Erlinda) Young of Waimea; granddaughter, Kenzy Kealoha; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harriet Queen
Harriet K. Queen, 69, of Hilo died Jan. 27, 2020 at home in Keaukaha. Born in Hilo, she was a meat packer for the former Miko Meat.
Friends may call 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14 at Puhi Bay main tent for a service.
She is survived by daughters, Shayne (Chad) Sue and Kainoa (Dayne) Queen, all of Hilo; brother, Robert (Pat) Puakea of Oahu; sisters, Momi Shoemaker of Waimea, Mokie (Ronald) Lee of Keaukaha, and Roselyn Kimura of Kauai; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Joanne Cuison
Joanne M. Cuison, 76, of Hilo, died on Jan. 11, 2020 at Pohai Malam Care Center. Born in Naalehu, she was special education assistant at Valor Middle School in Oregon, and a home goods assistant at the local Walmart.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. March 7 at Connect Point Church for a service.
She is survived by daughter, Salena Andrade of Hilo; sons, Robert (Allison) Cuison of Hilo and Mathias (Tracy) Cuison of Naalehu; brother, Fred Hoohuli of Puna; sisters, Janice Sears of Oahu, Collette Paglinawan of Hilo, Sandi McLuckie of Colorado, and Edith Kalua’u of Kailua-Kona; hanai sister, Patricia Louise of Oahu; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Mary Wall
Mary “Tommye” Thomasine Wall, 87, of Kailua-Kona, and formerly of Evergreen, Colorado, died Jan. 8, 2020, at her residence. Born Oct. 1, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, she was a homemaker.
Private service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Kona or Hawaii Island Humane Society.
She is survived by children, Tommye (Andrew) Lane of Kailua-Kona, Scott Wall of Colorado, Steve (Kirsten) Wall of New Mexico, Mark Wall Jr. of Wisconsin, Linda (Neil Salemink) Wall of Minnesota, Yvonne (Kevin) Cox of Arizona; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Caroline Hada
Caroline Lokelani Hada, 81, of Hilo died Jan. 29, 2020, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ka‘u, she was a retired cook at the former Hukilau Restaurant.
She is survived by sons, Thomas (Grace) Hada and Glenn (Kay) Hada, all of Mililani Mauka, Oahu, Gordon (Jeanette) Hada of Omaha, Nebraska; hanai daughter, Pearl Naito of Honolulu; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Louise Teixeira
Louise Molloy Teixeira, 68, of Keaau and formerly of Newport Beach, California, died Feb. 17, 2020, at her residence. Born in Stockton, California, she was a retired director of purchasing for Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and member of Sure Foundation Church in Keaau.
Private services to be held in Keaau and California at a later date.
She is survived by husband, Adriano Teixeira of Keaau; son, Jonas Molloy of Keaau; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elaine Hauanio
Elaine Kawehi Hauanio, 78, of Pahoa, died Feb. 9, 2020 at home. Born June 8, 1941 in Olaa, she was a retired cafeteria worker for Pahoa High and Elementary School and a member of The Gospel of The Alpha and The Omega Church Inc.
Friends may call 4-6 p.m. March 6 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Friends may also call 8-10 a.m. March 7 at the mortuary for a 10 a.m. service; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Aloha attire.
She is survived by, sons, Dana Hauanio of Seaside, California and Les (Denise) Hauanio of Pahoa; daughters, Rae Hauanio, Kris Kanoe Quihano, Shawn Aiona, Michelle Tokelau and Maya Papaya, all of Pahoa, Dorothy Hauanio Fernandez of Hilo, Charlotte Paez-Varges of Volcano; brother, Samson (Lynn) Kaawaloa of Pahoa; sisters, Queenie Dikito Ebinger and Leila Akana, all of Honolulu, Jewel Ka’apana of Pahoa, Noelani (Floyd) Quihano of Pahoa and Stella Kahele of Hilo; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clyde Yano
Clyde Yasuo Yano, age 71, of Honokaa, died Feb. 15, 2020 at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 22, 1948, in Honokaa, he was a retired beekeeper and United States Army veteran.
Friends may call 9-10 a.m. March 6 at Hamakua Jodo Mission for a 10 a.m. service. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Ida Yano of Honokaa; daughters, Beth (Rob See Jr.) Yano and Leatha Yano, all of Honokaa; sister, Veronica Inouye of Kapolei; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Huellyn Whitford
Huellyn Kahalelaukoa Whitford, 67, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 15, 2020 at her home. Born April 8, 1952, in Honolulu, she was a social worker for Family Support Services and Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center.
Friends may call noon to 5 p.m. March 21 at Waimea Town Hall for a service. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
She is survived by daughters, Lauren (C.J.) Leanio of Kona, Kealia (Likana) Prince of Hilo; son, Keoni (Andrea) DeGuair of Kona; brothers, Hugh (Rosa) Whitford III of Honolulu, Saichi (Connie) Oba of Alaska, Josh (Jenn) Oba of Honolulu; sisters, Dayna Mora of Kealakekua, Dilla (Jeff Sayles) Oba of Keaau; five grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kenneth Kaniho
Kenneth Keala Kaniho, 73, of Laupahoehoe, died Jan. 31, 2020 at his residence. Born Sept. 25, 1946, in Honolulu, he worked with various construction companies and retired as a harvesting superintendent with the former Hamakua Sugar Co., served in the Hawaii Army National Guard, was the owner/manager of the Triple K Ranch in Waimea and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honomu Branch.
Friends may call 8-10:45 a.m. March 14 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for an 11 a.m. servioce. Casual attire (wear blue); flowers and leis are welcome.
He is survived by wife, LaVerne Kaniho of Laupahoehoe; daughters, Tammylyn (Myles Miyasato) Kaniho and Ku’ulei (Cyerra Mendonca) Kaniho of Laupahoehoe; brothers, Klem (Janice) Kaniho of Waimea, Hawaii and Seymour Lindsey Kaniho of Garden Grove, California; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Geraldine Carvalho
Geraldine “Gerri” M. Carvalho, 83, of Kalopa, died Feb. 15, 2020 at home. Born April 1, 1936, in Honokaa, she was retired from the Hilo Post Office and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Portuguese Cultural Club, AARP and The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. March 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at Kalopa Catholic Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, George Dean (Connie Kuge) Carvalho of Waimea, Gregory (Robyn) Carvalho of Ahualoa; daughter, Greta (Richard) Pung of Hilo; three granddaughters, one great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William Yamamoto
William “Yama” Yamamoto, 84, of Hilo died Feb. 21, 2020, at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Niulii, Kohala, he was a retired heavy equipment mechanic for the former Pacific Machinery and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Friends may call 4-6 p.m. March 8 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Burial will take place at noon March 9 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Mildred Yamamoto of Hilo; son, Bradford (Ann) Yamamoto Sr. of Hilo; daughters, Liyo Yamamoto-Mancia of Long Beach, California, Nyla Yamamoto of Hilo; brother, Manuel (June) Yamamoto of Kohala; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Campbell Smith, 57, of Kurtistown died Dec. 19, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Lihue, Kauai, he was a macadamia nut farmer.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. March 7 at the Church of Holy Apostles in Hilo for a service. Casual attire.
He is survived by sisters, Judy Rowan of Martinez, California, Sandy (Bill) Malish of Austin, Texas; brothers, Bob (Cea) Smith of Honaunau, Gary (Bebe) Smith of Kilauea, Kauai, Keith (Gail) Smith of Omao, Kauai; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patrick Smith
Patrick “Pat” Alan Smith, 52, of Pahoa, died Jan. 18, 2020 at Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu.
Private services.
He is survived by sisters, Carol Smith of Juneau, Alaska, Theresa Manuzak of Hilo, Delrene (Vincent) DeLille of Stockbridge, GA, and Rita (Makani) Miller of Keaau; brothers, Walter Smith of Kalapana, Tony (Geni) Provencio of Stockbridge, GA, Henry Huff of Glenwood, WA, and Carlos (Sheila) Huff of Valdez, Alaska; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Ninaalexand Gebhardt
Ninaalexand Gebhardt, 82, of Ka’u, died Dec. 24, 2019, at Ka’u Hospital.
No services.
Any survivors, should contact Ballard Family Mortuary at (808)935-8445.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Francine Aguiar
Francine “Fran” “Frankie” Tomoe Fukuhara Aguiar, 64 of Hilo died Jan. 29, 2020, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was an educational assistant for Hilo Union School and a member of Hawaii Government Employees Association.
Friends may call 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7 at Papaikou Hongwanji Multi-Purpose Hall for a service. Aloha attire.
She is survived by daughters, Colette (Albert Perreira III) Aguiar of Hawaiian Beaches; Mauri (Raymond) Velez of Ainaloa; sons, Sheldon (Kaleihoku) Aguiar, George (Ursula Resurreccion) Aguiar both of Hilo; sisters, Kathleen (Raymond) Oda and Merle Silva of Hilo, Jackie (Tim) Buffett of South Carolina, Alberta (Kevin) Fukuhara-Urubio of Ainaloa and Garilyn (Eric Loyola) Fukuhara of Kona; brothers, Calvin (Celeste) Fukuhara and Leslie (Charmaine) Fukuhara both of Hilo; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.