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.
Laverne Sanchez
Laverne Paulette Mahealani Sanchez, 73, of Pahoa, died July 11, 2020 at her home. Born Oct. 5, 1946 in Honolulu, she was a retired accountant/bookkeeper for Easter Seals, and was a member of Puna Baptist Church, and ARC of Hilo.
Private service held.
She is survived by husband, William Sanchez of Oahu; sons, Bronson-Tsuka (Jadelin) Oili of Pahoa, Charles (Betmi) Sanchez of Pahoa, and Boyson (Yvette) Sanchez of Hilo; daughters, Nalani (Kamu) Kea of Oahu, Noe Sanchez of Pahoa, Anela-Re (Casey) Sanchez-Dela Rosa of Hilo, Verna-Mae (Bunzo) Sanchez-Rapez of Oahu; brother, Jerry (Lahaina) Akau of Hilo; sisters, Lei (Inez) Akau of Hilo, Berta Ramos of Makaha, and Nani Kupa of Nanakuli; 37 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Haruyoshi Iguchi
Haruyoshi Iguchi, 95, of Kealakekua, died July 10, 2020 at his residence. Born Feb. 23, 1925, in Honolulu, he was a commercial fisherman and a U.S. Army World War II veteran.
No services planned.
He is survived by wife, Lily Iguchi of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Jenny (Dain) Ushiroda and Patti (Mark) Aoki of Kealakekua; sisters, Miharu Iguchi and June (Harrison) Lee of Kaneohe, Oahu; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kenneth Kameoka
Kenneth “Ken” “Mr. K” Kazuto Kameoka, 84, of Hilo, died June 12, 2020 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 25, 1935, in Hilo, he was a retired senior instructor for Hawaii Community College electrical program, U.S. Army Korean War veteran, volunteer for various youth athletic organizations and member of Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. July 23 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by daughter, Keri Kameoka-Vincent of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Norma Tamako (Clarence) Miyamoto of Honolulu, Janice Tamiko Tatsuhara of Keaau, Hazel Mii Lin (Tommy) Bello of Hilo, Judy Ah Chin of Papaikou; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Blaze Bento
Blaze Kealoha Kaulana Bento, 24, of Mountain View, died July 10, 2020 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Jan. 18, 1996, in Hilo, he was self-employed.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by companion, Raquela Benevides of Mountain View; daughter, Kiara Martin of Mountain View; sons, Bronson Bento and Ansen Bento of Mountain View; mother, Bonnie (Rob Spradlin) Crivello of Mountain View; father, Russell Bento of Hakalau; sister, Crystal (Mino Kalima) Bento of Wahiawa, Oahu; brother, Cason Bento-Wheeless of Hilo; grandparents, Barbara and Jack Beck of Mountain View; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mary Kina
Mary Lurline Waipualani Sui Lan Kina, 71, of Keaau, died July 7, 2020 at home. She was born June 6, 1949 in Hawaii.
Private services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by husband, George Kina of Keaau; daughter, Denise Kina of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Mathew Kelepolo and Wilfred (Luanne) Kelepolo of Honolulu; sisters, Hilda Poe of Oregon, Hazel Juanich of Kailua-Kona, Gladiola Texeira-Hall of Ocean View; two grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Christopher Myers
Christopher Eric Myers, 61, of Kailua-Kona, died July 14, 2020, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Dec. 26, 1958 in North Hollywood, California, he was an electrician.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by brothers, John (Rose) Myers of California, Mark (Danette) Myers of Kailua-Kona; sister, Geneinne (Mike) Morgan of California; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Alfred Gima
Alfred “Al” Tadashi Gima, 87, of Hilo, died July 5, 2020 at home. Born Sept. 12, 1932, in Honolulu, he was retired from Bank of Hawaii, Kaiko’o Branch, U.S. Army veteran and member of Hilo Meishoin and Hui Okinawa.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by companion, Gale Takeya of Hilo; sons, Craig Gima of Honolulu, Clint (Lisa) Gima of Paia, Maui; daughter, Cindy (Scott) Werkmeister of Honolulu; sister, Adeline (Joe) Oandasan of Las Vegas; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Magdalena Ramos
Magdalena Talon Ramos, 94, of Keaau died May 28, 2020, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a retired tomato picker for Koi Farms, macadamia nut picker for Shintaku Macadamia Nut Farm and a homemaker.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. July 24 at Dodo Mortuary for a 6 p.m. service. An all-night vigil will follow at the family home in Keaau. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. July 25 at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Candido (Magdalena) Ramos, Fernandino (Carmen) Ramos, Virgilio Ramos and Fredie (Salivic) Ramos, all of Keaau, and Urbano Constancio (Francisca) Ramos of Ainaloa; daughters, Teresita (Reynaldo) Francisco of the Philippines, Beverly Ramos-Ganir of Kurtistown, and Carmelita (Willy) Cambia, Darlina (Wilfredo) Agngaray, Veronica (Marcelino) Badua, all of Keaau; brother, Daniel (Gregoria) Talon of the Philippines; sisters, Dolores Talon Bautista and Beatrice (Balbino) Aguto of the Philippines and Clarita Talon Maneja of Kurtistown; 35 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jenelle Bird
Jenelle Dawn Bird, 32, of Kurtistown, died July 2, 2020, on Oahu. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, she was a cashier at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co., J. Hara Store, Millie’s Deli and Snack Shop and formerly a dispatcher with the Neah Bay Police Department.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. July 25 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Casual attire.
She is survived by partner, Luzciano Ayap; son, Vincente Bird-Ayap; mother, Sarah Curtis; father, Marc Bird; brothers, Josh Bird, Grant (Loretta) Arnold; sisters, Shannon (Dann) Walker, Nicole Bird; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Janet Kurokawa
Janet Takako Kurokawa, 86, of Hilo, died July 8, 2020 at home. Born Jan. 13, 1934, in Honolulu, she was a retired Registered Nurse from Hilo Medical Center.
Private services were held.
She is survived by husband, Edward Kurokawa of Hilo; sons, Brad Kurokawa of Honomu, Joel (Lori) Kurokawa of Honolulu; daughter, Susan (Kevin) Ho of Waimea; sisters, Doris (Kenny) Kirihara of Westminster, Calif., Clara (Tom) Mato of Kailua, Oahu, June (Bernie) Oshima of Torrance, Calif.; five grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yukie Oye
Yukie Hinomoto “Bachan” Oye, 83, of Waimea died April 14, 2020, at home. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she was a farmer and a member of the Waimea Homgwanji Mission and Waimea Seniors Club.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. July 25 at Waimea Hongwanji Social Hall for visitation. Private service to follow. The family requests no flowers or koden (monetary donations).
She is survived by son, Alton (Brandie) Oye of Kawaihae; daughters, Georgianne (Jon) Lawson of Waikoloa and Marvis (Lane) Yanagisawa of Waimea; brothers, Toshiaki (Hiromi) Hinomoto of Nagoya, Japan and Haruo (Sanae) Hinomoto of Hiroshima, Japan; sisters, Fusae Yamamoto, Mitsue Fushida and Masae Hinomoto of Hiroshima, Japan; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Camelia Kaleohano
Camelia Leimona Kaleohano, 78, of Ocean View, died April 6, 2020 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Dec. 13, 1941, in Pahala, she was a custodian at Kahakai Elementary School and a member of Kona Christian Church.
Private services held.
She is survived by daughters, Camelia Kaleohano of Ocean View and Julia (Shane) Kaleohano-Jose of Kailua-Kona; sons, Alston (Geraldine) Kaleohano of Kealia, Richard Kaleohano of Opihihale, and Clayton (Maile) Kaleohano of Ocean View; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
