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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Michael Makekau
Michael Emmett Makekau, 60, of Keaau, died Sept. 23, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 2, 1960, in Hilo, he was a social worker for the State of Hawaii Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and East Hawaii Family Guidance Center, a service supervisor at Health Resources Inc., a scale attendant for Hawaii County and an assistant station manager at Aloha Airlines.
Friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 23 for a celebration of life walk-through service at New Hope Hilo; private family service to follow. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Lisa Makekau of Keaau; sons, Ryler Makekau of Mountain View and Isaiah (Ahlan Cox) Tao of Keaau; step-son, Tyler Tsunezumi of Las Vegas; sister, Audrey Meyers of Hilo; parents-in-law, Francis and Grace Tsunezumi of Hilo; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Fox
Dr. Robert Alan “Bob” Fox, 78, of Hilo, died Oct. 1, 2021, at his residence. Born in Portland, Oregon, he was a professor emeritus of physics and long-time chairperson of the physics and astronomy department at UH-Hilo; served as founding deputy director of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Studies; was a member of Rotary Club of Hilo, the Hilo Yacht Club, the National Education Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the Wine Connection; elected member of the Hawaii State Board of Education (1992-96); chairpersoin of the NEA Higher Education Caucus, vice chairperson of the American Association of University Professors Collective Bargaining Congress; president of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; commodore of the Hilo Yacht Club; board member of Hilo YMCA, the Hawaii Island United Way, the Rotary Club of Hilo, the Hilo Chapter of Sigma Xi, and the Aloha United Way; senior editor of the Journal of School Choice; chairperson of the International School Choice and Reform Conference; and an author.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Nina Buchanan; son, Jordan (Terry) Fox; and grandchildren, Devon Fox and Justin Fox.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Abel Awong
Abel Awong, 96, of Hilo, died Sept. 12, 2021, at his residence. Born July 29, 1925, in Laupahoehoe, he was retired from the state Department of Transportation Highways Division, a U.S. Army World War II veteran, and a member of Honomu Henjoji Mission and UPW Retirees.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by wife, Irene Awong of Hilo; sons, Kirk (Corinne) Awong of Hilo, Lance (Wendy) Awong of Kona; daughters, Shirley Ann (Charles) Shimizu, Irma Lee Murasaki and Lydia (Randy) Hart, all of Hilo; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ronald Iga
Ronald “Ron” Isamu Iga, 87, of Hilo and formerly of Ka’u, died Sept. 14, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the former Ka’u Sugar Co., a U.S. Marine Corps Korean War veteran, and a member of Pahala Hongwanji Mission, Puna Hongwanji Mission and Honomu Makule Softball Team.
Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a public visitation with a private service to follow. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by children, Noreen (Lloyd) Toriano of Hilo, Daryl (Eryn) Iga of Waikoloa, Cheryl (Vince) Hoiby of Washington, Guy (Dixie) Iga of Oregon, Jon Iga of Pahala; siblings, Richard (Reiko) Iga of California, Harrison (Rose) Iga of Honolulu, Doreen Okuda and Nelson Iga of Hilo; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harriet Chow
Harriet “Leina” Leinaala Chow, 84, of Pahoa, died Aug. 16, 2021, at her residence. Born in Hilo, she was a retired baker for Island Naturals in Pahoa and a member of the Puna Canoe Club.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16 for a drive-through visitation at Dodo Mortuary carport.
She is survived by sons, William Chow of Pahoa, and Leon (Ramona) Chow of Ka‘u; daughters, Yvonne (Calvin) Kehaulani Okamoto of Pahoa, and Deborah (Don) Noelani Golay of Texas; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leslie Tome
Leslie Kazufumi Tome, 63, of Hilo, died Sept. 18, 2021, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Feb. 11, 1958, in Okinawa, Japan, he was a retired buyer for Suisan Co. Ltd.
Private services held.
He is survived by daughter, Lindsey (Cody Fujimoto) Tome of Hilo; mother, Masae Tome of Okinawa, Japan; brother, Kazumasa Tome of Okinawa, Japan; sisters, Matsue Nishime, Matsuko Oshiro, Chiyono Yogi, all of Okinawa, Japan; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Renfred Beaumont
Renfred Reginald Beaumont, 69, of Volcano, died Sept. 14, 2021, at his residence. Born in Honolulu, he was a professional musician, was one of the founding members of the group Olomana, and was a retired Lt. Commander with the US Navy.
Private services held.
He is survived by son, Wren Evans; and daughter, Tiera-Lyn Kahapea-Zablan
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.