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 to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements with photos may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Blane Maebo
Blane Akira Maebo, 66, of Hilo, died Feb. 26, 2023, at home. Born in Hilo, he was the owner of Maebo Noodle Factory, Inc. and Maebo International Supply, LLC and member of the Waiakea Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hilo. Friends may call at 3 p.m. April 14, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. He is survived by wife, Lehua Nani Maebo of Hilo; son, Jarek Aketo Keoni Maebo of Hilo and sister, Maxine Maebo of Hilo. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joann Ota
Joann Leiko Ota, 61, of Keaau, died Dec. 14, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she worked at Keaau High School. Friends may call at 9 a.m. April 8, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. Celebration of Life. Family requests casual attire be worn. She is survived by children, Farin (Royce) Oshiro, Blade Ota, Talon Ota; parents, Robert and Eleanor Kaya; brother, Robert (Kathleen) Kaya Jr.; one grandchild, Raiya Oshiro; one niece, one nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hideo Gushiken
Hideo Gushiken, 95, of Hilo, died March 7, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pepeekeo, he was retired from the United States Geological Survey, a U.S. Army Retired Reserve Captain, U.S. Army Korean War veteran and member of the Korean War Veterans Association Big Island Chapter, 442nd Veterans Association, Hui Okinawa, Big Island Amateur Radio Club, University Heights Kumiai, and faithful member of Kinoʻole Baptist Church. Private services held. The family requests no monetary gifts or flowers. He is survived by wife, Emi Gushiken; son, Eric Gushiken; daughter, Marian Gushiken; and granddaughter, Megan Tomas. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Terry Okuda
Terry Joyce Okuda, 60, of Hilo, died March 9, 2023, at home. Born in Hilo, she was an Accounts Payable Clerk for Hilo Medical Center. Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. April 18, 2023 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 9:30 a.m. Mass. Family requests casual attire be worn. She is survived by husband, Lloyd Okuda; daughter, Keana (Chris) Madden; son, Kerry (Erin) Okuda; mother, Frances Medeiros; sister, Roxanne (Abe) Kagawa; five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Johnnette Higuchi
Johnnette H.Y.L. Higuchi, 70, of Hilo, died Feb. 18 at home. She was born in Honolulu, and was retired from the Hilo Veterans Affairs Clinic. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary donations).She is survived by husband, Eric Y. Higuchi of Hilo; sons, Raphael “Keli’i” (Meilani) Kaupu, Jr. of Hilo and Kyle (Irina) Higuchi of Mexico City; sisters, Charlene (Abe) Bonoan of Honolulu and Janice (Harold) Leite of Hilo; brothers, Eddie Chow of Honolulu and Harold (Marilyn) Pakele of Hilo; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Geraldine Valdez
Geraldine “Geri” Anna Valdez, 63, of Waimea died March 25, 2023 at home. She was born in Hilo on February 20, 1960. A memorial service will be held at the Puka’ana Congregational Church, 85-421 Mamalahoa Hwy in Captain Cook, on April 22, 2023 at 10 a.m.. Condolences: www.HomelaniMemorialPark.com She is survived by her daughter, Mililani Alves; son, Ruben (Casie M. Cardoso) Kawieka Page Jr.; brother, Richard (Glenn Laughery) K. Tavares; sisters, Dorene Akao, Jennifer Voight, Juliet S Valdez, Maria Kaiawe, Tania (Loren) Miller; 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews , great-nieces and great-nephews. Artrngements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Vernen Delaries
Vernen Kewini Delaries, 68, of Holualoa, Hawaii died March 27, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in North Kona, Hawaii on February 10, 1955, he was a lead pest control operator for Hawaii Fumigation Pest Control. He is survived by his wife, Mollie Baculpo-Delaries of Holualoa; daughter, Cindy Delaries of Honokaa; son, Kyle (Jade) Delaries of Pahoa; stepson, Kelly Baculpo of Ocean View; brother, Harvey (Sue) Delaries of Keauhou Mauka; sisters, Ann (Clifford) Madawi of Keauhou Mauka, Marlene Stockwell of Madera, CA. and Anita Delaries of Keauhou Mauka; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.