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. Questions 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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Suzanne Kekahuna
Suzanne Kekahuna, 71, of Hilo, died Jan. 6, 2023, in Hilo. She was born in 1951 in Tucson, Arizona. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. March 11 at Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo. For info contact: (808)443-4243. Survived by two sons, Christopher Arruda and Lionel (Lani) Arruda; two daughters, Lisa (Ben) Cabral and Christine Kekahuna; 5 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Rana Hopfe
Rana Germaine Mapuana Hopfe, 69, of Hilo, died Feb. 2, 2023 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a retired cook with Café 100 and a cook at K’s Drive Inn, Kandy’s Drive Inn, and Life Care Center. Celebration of life will be held at a later date. She is survived by sons, Melvin (Daisy) Kilaulani Jr. of Hilo and Melcolm (Tasi) Kilaulani of Oahu; daughters, Melanie Hopfe-Kilaulani and Rachel (Kaipo) Belisario of Oahu; brothers, William (Carol) Hopfe of Oahu and Jeffery Hopfe of Washington State; sisters, Joyce Hopfe of Las Vegas, Gwendolyn Collier of Virginia, Claudette Hopfe of Oahu, Leila (Jason) Ryusaki of Hilo and Brenda Dorsey of Florida; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Ryan Ka’awaloa
Ryan Ku’ualoha Ka’awaloa, 53, of Pahoa, died Dec. 30, 2022, in Hilo. He was born in Honolulu and had a former career as DJ Ryan K at various radio stations like KAHU, KBIG, and KWXX, was an adult corrections officer at the Maui and Hawaii Community Correctional Centers, and had hobbies that included playing ukulele, karaoke, and pro wrestling at Hawaii Championship Wrestling as the infamous “Shin Ku.” Visitation 3-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at Uncle Robert’s Hale in Kalapana. Celebration of life service at 4 p.m. He is survived by children, Alexis Yamamoto and Alyzandra Ka’awaloa (Slater) of Hilo; companion, Slydene Heiret of Orchidland Estates; mother, Laureta Young Ka’awaloa of Pahoa; siblings, Nani Pinon-Ka’awaloa (Joel) of Oregon, Razinha Ka’awaloa (David) of Kane’ohe and Rashanti Ka’awaloa (Kalele) of Hawai’i Kai; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Leigh Bento
Leigh Ann “Dooley” Bento, 66, of Kona, died Nov. 13, 2022, at the Kaiser Moanalua Hospital on Oahu. She was born in Honolulu and was a graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawaii at Hilo and worked as a bartendress at the Shark Shack and the Mask in Kona. Celebration of life, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Onekahakaha Beach Park large pavilion. Casual attire; no flowers. She is survived by companion, Michael Ault of Kona; mother, Carol Bento of Hakalau; sisters, Barnette Seffens of Las Vegas and Michael Demotta of Hilo; brother, Stanley Bento of Hakalau; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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David Bush Sr.
David Caesar Kanuha Bush Sr., 81, of Pearl City, Oahu, died Dec. 2, 2022 at his residence. Born in Kealakekua on July 24, 1941, he was a retired heavy equipment operator. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m.to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at Victory Outreach Hawaiian Islands located at 94-061 Leokane St., Waipahu, Oahu 96797. Scattering of ashes will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19at Hookena Beach in Kona. For information call or text David at (808) 371-5481. Condolences to the family may be sent to David Bush Jr., P.O. Box 1801, Pearl City, HI 96782.