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.
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Tyson Kapahu
Tyson Moses Punahele Manalani “Puna” “Bumbuyulearn” Kapahu, 33, of Hilo, died Nov. 28, 2021. Born in Honolulu, he was a security guard and member of the New Apostolic Church of Hilo.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 21 for public visitation at Dodo Mortuary chapel. Private funeral services at 11 a.m. Public graveside committal services will follow at noon at the Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Taira Kapahu of Hilo; daughter, Kamalani Nenio-Kapahu of Hilo; son, Kupono Nenio-Kapahu of Hilo; parents, Dexter and Lily Kapahu Sr.; sisters, Mahea Kapahu and Chevelle (Jeremy) Coyaso of Hilo; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Jerry Flinchbaugh
Jerry Flinchbaugh, 67, of Honaunau, died Nov. 30, 2021 at Kona Community Hospital. He was a retired landscaper, coffee farmer, horse trainer and U.S. Navy veteran.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Jan. 9, 2022, at Honokohau Beach for a celebration of life. For further information, contact Ray Huff at (808) 936-5294.
He is survived by mother and step father, Jackie and Earl Jacobs of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania; sisters, Cindy Grim of New Salem, Pennsylvania, Lisa (Keven) Lint of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, Vicki Thompson of Tagwell, Tennessee, and Wendy (Jamie) Innerest of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Velda Yamanaka
Velda “Maile” Yamanaka, 71, of Hilo, died Nov. 18, 2021 at her residence. Born in Hilo, she she was classically trained in Hawaiian chant and dance under Auntie Maiki Aiu Lake of Halau Hula O Maiki, master of oriental medicine and Taoist acupuncture, substitute resource teacher in Hawaiian studies, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park volunteer, and U.S. Air Force veteran.
Friends may call at noon Dec. 28 at Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo for a celebration life. Casual attire; no flowers or koden.
She is survived by sister, Maxine (Marcos) Eisenberg of Castro Valley, California; sister-in law Rae Yamanaka of Hilo; and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Elena Cobile
Elena Olarte Cobile, 85, of Hilo died Dec. 5, 2021, at her residence. Born in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, Philippines, she was a retired accounts clerk at the Hilo Medical Center and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Hilo Visayan Club.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Dec. 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for 9:30 a.m. Mass. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Eric (Tracy) Cobile of Vancouver, Washington, and Douglas (Leisley) Cobile, Chuck (Robyn) Cobile and Raymond Cobile, all of Hilo; six grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Jane Osako
Jane Yaeno Osako, 96, of Honokaa, died Oct. 26, 2021, at her residence. Born in Paauhau, she was a retired field hand with the former Theo H. Davies in Haina, Maui, and a member of the Hamakua Jodo Mission in Paauhau and the Paauilo Kongoji Mission (Odaisan).
Private services held.
She is survived by sons, Gene (Lynne) Osako of Ewa Beach, Oahu, and Tim Osako of Honokaa; daughter, Gail (Craig) Yamasaka of Pearl City, Oahu; brother, Donald Matsumoto of Maui; sisters, Yoshie Okada of Waimea, and Hideko Miyashiro, Alice Nakahodo and Arline Matsumoto, all of Honolulu; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Dean Otani
Dean Genchi Otani, 65, of Hilo, died Dec. 6, 2021 at Hawaii Care Choices. Born in Hilo, he was formerly employed at Farmers Exchange, Sunida’s, Pacific Air, HPA as security, was a school custodian, and he operated a pawn shop.
Private services held. No koden.
He is survived by companion, Merle Kukona; father, George (Lei) Otani; sister, Lori (Sam) Martin; brother, Chris Otani; and nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, and cousins.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Sidney Lee
Sidney Lee, 77, of Hilo, died Dec. 12, 2021 at his residence. Born April 19, 1944, in Honolulu, he was president and owner of Hawaii Island Glass Inc. in Hilo and a member of the Boogie Man and Born Losers Golf Clubs.
No services. No flowers. No Koden (monetary offerings).
He is survived by wife, Dorothy Lee of Hilo; daughters, Kristine (Chris) Lee Sleeper of Massachusetts and Jennifer Lee of Hilo; step-son, Troy (Celeste) Hall of Keaau; step-daughter, Marcy Hall of Hilo; brother, Leonard Lee of Rancho Mirage, California; sister, Maxine (Roger) Song of Vancouver, Washington; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Sadako Okunami
Sadako Okunami, 92, of Ahualoa, died Dec. 14, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Hilo. Born in Kapoho, she was the retired proprietress of Okunami Enterprises, Inc.
Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
She is survived by sons, Larry (Laurie) Okunami of Oahu, Ronald (Cathy Davis-Okunami) Okunami of Hilo, and Michael (Loretta Cacoulidis) Okunami of Ahualoa; daughters, Janice (Harlan) Asano of Hilo, and Lynne (Wayne) Daimaru of Kailua-Kona; sister, Sumiko Higa of Oahu; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.