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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Darius Robertson
Darius Kalani Robertson, 51, of Hilo, died Aug. 11, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 12, 1971, in Honolulu, he worked for HPM Building Supply and had served in the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Private services were held.
He is survived by fiancée, Debbie Koizumi of Hilo; children, Christina (Jason) Robertson of Hilo, Maika (Ana Ray) Robertson of Mountain View, Rachel Robertson of Keaau, Kalani Robertson of Las Vegas, Shelyse Robertson and Jarryd-Paul Robertson of Waianae, Oahu; stepchildren, Ashley Enos, Kaylin Enos and Jordan Enos of Hilo; father, Scott (Stacie) Robertson of Pearl City, Oahu; mother, Edwina Robertson of Hilo; grandmother, Pilialoha Oliver of Kaneohe, Oahu; brothers, Kyle (Lisa) Robertson of Hilo, Scott (Jamie) Robertson of Boise, Idaho; mother-in-law, Amy Koizumi of Hilo; brother-in-law, Brian (Theresa) Koizumi of Hilo; six grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Kenneth Loa
Kenneth “Pops” Loa, 72, of Hilo, died July 3, 2022 in Kealakekua. Born Aug. 27, 1949, in Pago Pago, American Samoa, he was a retired Hawaiian Electric Co. lineman.
A memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kailua-Kona from 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 3 followed by a celebration of life at Kahalu’u Beach Park.
He is survived by wife, De Ette Stevens Loa of Kailua-Kona; sons, Kenneth Loa of Keopu Mauka, Jason Loa of Kailua-Kona, and David (Leinani) Loa of Honaunau; daughter, Kea Loa of Kailua-Kona; mother, Maria Sina Loa of Honolulu; sister, Doris McFadzen of Auckland, New Zealand; brother, John Loa Sr of Kaneohe, Oahu; sisters-in-law, Jerileah Loa and Willa Loa both of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Richard Stevens of Hilo; 28 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous hanai brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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John Creelman
John Charles Creelman, 80, of Honokaa, died Aug. 9, 2022 at his residence. Born April 15, 1942 in Silverdale, Washington, he was a U.S. Army veteran, and a truck delivery driver and parts orderer for Coca Cola in Washingto.
No services.
He is survived by wife, Nina Creelman; in-laws, James (Carol) Reddell and Carol Reddell; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Johnnie Fitts
Johnnie Aline Fitts, 86, of Kailua-Kona, died Aug. 11, 2022 at her residence. Born June 2, 1936, in Texas, she was a wedding coordinator, florist, cake decorator, seamstress and homemaker.
Private services.
She is survived by sons, Robert (Kathryn) Fitts Jr. of Kailua-Kona and David (Stacey) Fitts of San Juan Capistrano, CA.; daughters, Rebecca (Mark) Thomason of Jurupa, CA., Deborah (Darren) Friedl of Riverside, CA., Melanie (John) Thomason of Murietta, CA., Judith (David) Cunningham and Annie (Michael) Sundseth, all of Kailua-Kona; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Mutsue Okahara
Mutsue Okahara, 95, of Kailua-Kona, died July 16, 2022 at Lily’s Care Home. Born Sept. 26, 1926, in Hilo, she was a retired baker’s helper for Hatada Bakery and a member of Hilo Meishon.
Private services were held. Family requests no koden or flowers.
She is survived by sons, Calvin (Patty) Okahara of Kailua-Kona, Neal (Valerie) Okahara of Honolulu and Stan, (Ann) Okahara of Hilo; brother, Rodger (Margaret)Yamasaki of Honolulu; sister, Yoshie Aoki of Los Angeles; sister-in-law, Rose Yamasaki of Pepeekeo; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and caregivers, Lily and Milton Jacinto of Kailua-Kona.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Alice Larkspur
Alice Lyn Larkspur, 89, of Keaau, died Aug. 4, 2022, at her residence. Born in Wenatchee, Wash., she retired from bookkeeping and was a massage therapist, Reiki master and Quantum-Touch practitioner and long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi in Seattle and The Center for Spiritual Living in Keaau.
Celebration of life at a later date, contact Louona Larkspur for information, HC 1 Box 5438, Keaau, HI 96749.
She is survived by daughter, Louona Larkspur of Keaau, Julie Swaffield and Michelle Wright; son, Norman Swaffield; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Angelito Bustamante Sr.
Angelito Bustamante Sr., 76, of Keaau, died Aug. 19, 2022. Born in the Philippines, he worked in construction as a mason before retiring.
Private services held.
He is survived by fiancé, Allison Matos; sons, Angelito (Janelle) Bustamante Jr., Jason (Christina) Bustamante, Lito (Mara) Bustamante, Angelo Bustamante, and Lester (Lilinoe) Bustamante; daughters, Angela Maulupe, Rose (Harry) Burt, Stacey (Jesus) Hayes, Michelle Brooke, and Jamie (Josh) Prinkey; brothers, Antonio (Jeanie) Bustamante, Alfredo Bustamante, Arnaldo (Joyce) Bustamante, Angel Bustamante, and Adolfo Bustamante; sisters, Adelaida Aguilar, Arnida (Jonathan) Hansen, Angelyn (Phillip) Lewis, and Amelia (Abel Sr.) Garcia; 29 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Mitsue Akazawa
Mitsue Fukuzaki Akazawa, 96, of Kailua-Kona, died June 4, 2022 at Nakamaru Hale. Born June 29, 1925, in Honokohau, she was a secretary for West Hawaii Concrete.
Private services were held.
She is survived by daughter, Lei (Robert)Lash of Wailuku, Maui; sons, Michael (Ginger) Akazawa of Kailua-Kona, Alvin (Louise) Akazawa of Kihei, Maui and Paul (Tracey) Akazawa of Kailua-Kona; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Brian Ruegg
Brian Leroy Ruegg, 53, of Papaikou, died Aug. 21, 2022 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Facility in Hilo. Born Dec. 28, 1968, in Hayward, California, he worked as a laborer at a plant nursery.
No services.
He is survived by son, Bryce Ruegg of Hilo; brothers, Kelly Andres of San Leandro, California and Lawrence Andres of Dupont, Washington; sisters, Tanya Turner of Napa Valley, California and Marv Viramontes of Livermore, California; and one grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Lon Taniguchi
Lon Tatsumi Taniguchi, 73, of Hilo, died Aug. 7, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born July 11, 1949 in Hilo, he was the vice president of information systems and special projects at KTA Super Stores and a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and Hilo High School Class of 1967.
Visitation will be held at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (398 Kilauea Avenue) on Sept. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m.; memorial service will begin at 3. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Lisbeth Taniguchi of Hilo; sons, Derek (Amy) Taniguchi of Hilo and Jeffrey Taniguchi of Hilo; sister, Maryan (Stanley) Ahn-Taniguchi of Hilo; sister-in-law, Sandra Taniguchi of Hilo; two aunts; nephews, nieces and numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Maxine Kalani
Maxine Leimomi Kalani, 58, of Kailua-Kona, died Aug. 17, 2022 at her residence. Born May 13, 1964, in Hilo, she was a site manager for Hui Malama and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 16 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona; Mass will begin at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. The family requests casual attire.
She is survived by her husband, Gerard Kalani; daughter, Nohea (Afa Tualaulelei) Kalani and Napua (Branden) Rasay, all of Kailua-Kona; mother, Geraldine Aumua of Hilo; brothers, Max (Robin) Aiona of Waimea, Jarrett Aiona of Washington, Sam (Cherrie) Aiona of Honolulu, Scot (Kealoha) Aiona of Hilo; sister, Darnelle (Wil) Kahoonei of Washington; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Conrad Haleamau
Conrad Kaaumoana Haleamau, 47, of Kalaoa, died July 24, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 2, 1975, he in Kealakekua, he was a baseyard foreman for Alii Builders.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at the Old Airport Makaeo Pavilion in Kailua-Kona. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Naylene Haleamau of Kalaoa; parents, Karin and Patricia Haleamau of Kalaoa; brothers, Gary (Sheldeen) Haleamau of Las Vegas, Kevin (Star) Haleamau of Kalaoa; sister, Kalei Haleamau (Kenny) Kam of Kona; hanai daughter, Kaleonani Anakalea-Haleamau of Kalaoa; hanai sons, Kingztyn Pacatang of Hookena, Dereck Pacatang, Gunner Pacatang and Kamrin Kam, all of Kona, Kevin Shea Haleamau and Kaimi Barrera, both of Kalaoa; hanai brother, Michael (Helen) Lindsey of Keauhou Mauka; hanai sisters, Anna Villanueva of Kealakekua and Alice (Bobby) Gaddis of Ohio; parents-in-law, Querico and Laurie Pacatang; sister-in-law, Norene (Joe) Cabuag and brother-in-law, Joshua (Jen) Pacatang, all of Kailua-Kona.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
