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.
Helen Sulquiano
Helen Barayuga Sulquiano, 51, of Kapaau, Hawaii died March 30, 2023 at Kaiser Moanalua Hospital. Born in Laoag City, Philippines on August 13, 1971, she was a sales associate for Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory. She was a housekeeper at Hapuna Prince Hotel and a sales clerk at Whaler’s General Store and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at 8 a.m. April 22, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi; mass will begin at 10 a.m. followed by burial in the Hawi County Cemetery. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome. She is survived by her husband, Christopher Sulquiano of Kapaau; sister, Gemmalyn (Jeffrey) Baptista of Las Vegas, NV., brother. Joefrey (Donna) Barayuga of Kapaau; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rodolfo Cabatu
Rodolfo “Rudy” Cabatu, 85 of Laupahoehoe, died on March 17, 2023 at Life Care Center of Hilo, Born in Paauilo, he was a retired electrician from Dept. of Water and Hamakua Sugar Company. He also was a U.S Navy Veteran. Friends may call on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation starts at 9-10:30 a.m. Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. He is survived by sons, Dexter (Yvonne) Egdamin of Hilo, and Jason Lance Cabatu of Laupahoehoe; daughters, Deborah (Sonny) Avenue of Pahala, Dale Egdamin of Hilo, Diana “Tini” Matushita (Aaron) of Kealakekua and Kriste (Kevin Curry) Cabatu of Puna; sisters, Christine Salvador of Hilo and Mary Bona of Ewa Beach; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clyde Yafuso
Clyde Takashi Yafuso, 72, of Hilo, died March 15, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary &Intermediate School teacher and member of Hui Okinawa. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. April 30, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers. He is survived by brother, Glenn (Joycelyn) Yafuso of Hilo; sister-in-law, Margaret Yafuso of Hilo; nieces, Nadine “Didi” (Dallas) Nakashima of Honolulu, Allyson “Ally” (Bryce) Sager of Bradenton, Fla., Christine (Mark) Yamamoto of Hilo, Marlene (Benjamin) Bultman of Tucson, Ariz.; grandnieces, grandnephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Katherine Hanson
Katherine Marie “Taffy” Lindberg Schweitzer Hanson, 78, of Mountain View, passed away on March 27, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on January 4, 1945 in Honolulu, she was a Psychiatry Therapist (L.A.C.C. Psyc Degree) She is survived by spouse Charles W. Hanson of Mountain View; children, Jerome Kahuane (Sally) Schweitzer and Monique Schweitzer (John) Lunning of Hawaii; three grandchildren, sister, Lauren B. (Chooka) Rodrigues; brothers, Bernard “Barney” H. (Jeanie) Lindberg, Jr. and Erich Paul (Kitty) Lindberg; Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Cotter
James Richard Cotter, 74, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii died March 19, 2023. Born on April 19, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, he was a self-employed electrician. Services will be announced at a later date. He is survived by his wife, Robin Cotter of Kailua Kona, two nephews and one niece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William LaPish
William David “Kona Bill” LaPish, 80, of Captain Cook, Hawaii died January 27, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he was a salesman at Kona Orchid Isle Ford for 30 years. He was a draftsman with Sanders and Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Corine LaPish of Captain Cook, brother, Glenn LaPish of Louisiana; sons, Jeffrey (Dessica) LaPish of Pennsylvania, James (Shauna) LaPish of Kansas, stepson, Jordan Kainoa Lardizabal of Hawaii; daughters, Michelle (Dave) Breen and Denise (Shawn) Esterly, all of Pennsylvania and Alaena Fekete of Kansas; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc.
Nelson Kahele
Nelson Naeole Kahele, 78, of Ka’awaloa, Hawaii died March 22, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, on June 13, 1944, he was a construction laborer and member of Hawaii Laborers Local Union 368, and a member of the Ali’i’s of Hawaii Motorcycle Club. He is survived by his wife, Deena Kahele; sons, Sherman (Kamela) Kahele, Nelson Kahele, Jr., Rodney (Misty) Kahele, Randall (Alice) Kahele, Kealoha Kahele, Michael (Angela) Coleman; daughters, Geraldine (Patrick)Kahele, Sheila-ann (Hansel) Kamaka-Baniaga, Jamie-lyn (Kekai) Kamaka, Nalani (Eddie) Miller, Leahi Kahele, Judie Kahele, Salena (Cody) Kahele, Waipiolani (Austin) Kahele; hanai daughters, Josephine Bishop and Natasha (Loren) Machado; sisters, Daisy Chiartano and Jeanette Evans; 42 grandchildren; 72 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Celebration of life services will be held on April 29, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc.
Sheila Roy
Sheila Lou Meleana Roy, 70 of Waimea, died on March 16, 2023 at her home. Born in Kona on September 26, 1952. She was a retired Certified Nurse Assistant at the North Hawaii Community Hospital, a former member of the Kawaihae Canoe Club, and a rancher and farmer. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 6, 2023 at 64-710 Ainahua Alanui in Waimea. Condolences may be sent to Marilyn Mitchell at P.O. Box 2485, Kamuela, HI 96743. She is survived by her sisters Marilyn Mitchell of Waimea, Marlene (Lyle) Thomas of California, Henrilyn (Gordon) Grace of Kona and Clerilene Mitchell of Hilo; brothers, Stareyton (Nina) Mitchell of Kona and Clebertan Mitchell of Hilo; step-sons, Nick (Cyndi) Roy of Omaha, Nebraska and Clint Roy of Denver, Colorado; 1 granddaughter numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Delbert Snedeker
Delbert “Del” Johnson Snedeker, Sr., 92, of Pahoa, died on April 9, 2023 at home. He was born on May 29, 1930 in Hilo, Hawaii. He was a former crane operator for Canec Company and a U.S. Air Force WWII &Korean War veteran. He was also a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday Apr. 24, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Funeral Service 5 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by, wife, Hazel Snedeker; children, Donna Makekau, Delbert, Jr. (Roxanne) Snedeker, Albert (Ralna) Snedeker, Antone (Liana) Snedeker, Timothy Snedeker and Alice Snedeker; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patrick Crivello
Patrick Leonard Crivello, 67, of Papaikou, Hawaii, died April 2, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii on October 9, 1955 and retired from Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Services, LLC as a Journey Welder/Machinist. He was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, Hawaii, Hawaiian Iron Motorcycle Club and owner of Crivello’s Engineering. Visitation will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, on April 29, 2023 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Memorial mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Mauna Kea Memorial Park in Papaikou. Casual attire is requested. He is survived by wife, Renee Crivello of Papaikou; son, Thomas Crivello of Papaikou; daughter, Jamie Crivello of Papaikou; sister, AnnMarie (David) Pacyao of Hilo; one granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Lorna Vallente
Lorna Imperio Vallente, 54, of Paauilo, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at her residence. Born on March 6, 1969, in the Philippines, she was a Housekeeper for the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Friends may call on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Funeral Services at 10:30 a.m. She is survived by spouse, Bobby Vallente of Paauilo; daughters, Charisse (Kaimi Akau) Vallente, Chelsea (Roydan Fernandez) Vallente and Britney (Ike Shigematsu) Vallente of Hawaii; son, Jake Vallente of Hawaii; eight grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.