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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Susan Poai
Susan Jean Poai, 72, of Hilo, died Jan. 17, 2023, at home. She was born in San Francisco and was a retired registered nurse with Hilo Medical Center and was also a member of St. Roberts Catholic Church. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, memorial service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. She is survived by husband, Lawrence Poai of Hilo; sons, Ahoi (Lani) Mayberry of Honolulu and Casey . Poai of Hilo; hanai son, Kupili Poai of Hilo; daughter, Kapua Poai of Hilo; daughter-in-law, Geiselle Poai of Hilo; brother, Ernest Crueger of San Bruno, Calif.; six grandchildren; one great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Leslie Capilla
Leslie (Dodo) Capilla, 94, died Feb. 5, 2023 in Honoka’a. He was born on Jan. 29, 1929, in California, raised in Kailua, Oahu, and worked on his grandfather’s dairy, the Campus Dairy for many years before moving to San Jose, California. He retired as a transporter at Los Gatos Community Hospital. He is survived by sons Allen Capilla of Kamuela; Douglas Capilla of San Jose, California; daughters Laverne Wills of Arlington, Texas; Valerie (Wally) Lono of Honolulu; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Leslie’s Life will be held March 4, 2023 at 11:00 am at Kailua Beach Park on Oahu. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Emilio Pacheco Jr.
Emilio “Rocky” Pacheco Jr., 72, died February 10, 2023 in Kailua Kona. Born on March 4, 1950, in Honolulu, he served in the U.S. Navy and worked as an Aloha Airlines Agent. He is survived by wife Miriam; sons Kawika (Anela) Pacheco of Laguna Beach, California; Keoni Pacheco of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; daughters Rondi Pacheco of Tracy, California; Naomi (Molly) Pacheco of Lake Forest, Washington; brothers Byron Pacheco of Tennessee; Richard (Cherry) Bartlett of Idaho; sisters Renee Kuuipo Pacheco of Antioch, Tennessee; Novena (Jim) Dewald of Oregon; Joselyn Elima (Willie) Keala of Kekaha; Angeline Mapuana (Willie) Wilson of Colorado; and four grandchildren. Private services will be held. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Peter Nelson
Peter “Peet” Louw Nelson, 92, of Keaau, died Feb. 14, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Denver, he was a retired artist and U.S. Navy veteran. Friends may call at 3 p.m. March 2 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. Celebration of Life. Family request casual attire be worn and face masks and social distancing required. He is survived by wife, Helen Nelson of Keaau; daughters, Duana Salcedo of Honolulu, Sunday (Mark Macanas) Nelson of Keaau; four grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Clarence Cabral
Clarence Cabral, 71, of Hilo, died Jan. 27, 2023, at home. Born in Hilo, he worked for the former Puna Sugar Plantation as a harvesting supervisor and retired from the County of Hawaii Department of Public Works as a power mower operator, and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Friends may call at 4 p.m. March 3, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 6 p.m. service with cremation to follow. Family requests casual attire be worn and face masks required. He is survived by wife, Winifred Cabral of Hilo; sons, Charlton Cabral, and Casey (Charlotte) Cabral of Mountain View; daughter, Crystallynn (Daniel Ah Sing) Cabral of Hilo; brothers, Charles (Sharon) Cabral and Melvin Cabral of Hilo; sisters, Blanche (Patrick) Pestana of Honolulu, Diane (Joseph Naikidi) Andreas of Hilo, Susan (Donald) Kendrick of Chicago; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Lily Inada
Lily Inada, 92, died on Feb. 8, 2023. No services. Survived by son, Carlton Inada of Hilo; sister, Tokimi Miyatake of Pahoa, and Sumako Abbley of San Francisco; brother, George Muraoka of Mililani; various nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Richard West
Rick Nelson West, 84, passed away at his home in Medford, Oregon on Feb. 19, 2023. Born Dec. 21, 1938 at Hilo Memorial Hospital, he worked his entire career for Bank of Hawaii, retiring as vice president and regional manager for the Big Island, Executive Director of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; President of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce; President of the Vulcan Booster Club; and Chairman of the Natural Energy Lab. He is survived by wife Linda of Medford, his children David (and wife Sharon) of Sammamish, Washington, Catherine (and husband Jeff) of Hilo, Alissa (and husband Johnny) of Eugene, Oregon and Meghan (and wife Carrie) of Long Beach, California, as well as nine grandchildren. A celebration of Rick’s life will be held in Waimea at later a date to be arranged. Remembrances can be sent to 723 Cherrywood Drive, Medford OR 97504.