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.
Nobue Oba
Nobue Tashima Oba, age 102, of Hilo, Hawaii, formerly of Ninole, Hawaii, died February 23, 2023 at home in Hilo. She was born in Paauhau, Hawaii on February 3, 1921 and was a member of the Honohina Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Private services held. No flowers. No Koden (monetary offerings). On-line condolences at dodomortuary.com. She is survived by children, Harold (Elaine) Oba of Hilo, Ronald (Michi) Oba of Altadena, California and Vivian (Gordon) Lee of Hilo; sisters, Michiko (Herbert) Ota of Alabama, Lynn Yayo Tsuji of Kailua, Oahu and Ellen Callo of Washington State; brother-in-law, Shoichi Fukaura of Paauilo; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosemarie Muller
Rosemarie Muller, 74 of Keaau, Hawaii and previously Center Moriches, NY, died February 24, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on October 4, 1948, in Manhattan, NY, she was a retired Laboratory Technician Supervisor.
Donald Erway
Donald Mark Erway, 65, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii died March 1, 2023 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born in Pasadena, California on April 18, 1957, he was an electrical engineer for NDC systems and he was a member of Daifukuji Soto Mission. Services were held. Donation in his memory may be made to Daifukuji Soto Mission or Big Island Yoga Center. He is survived by his mother, Marjorie Erway of Kailua-Kona; hanai son, Kim (Rachel) Seeley of Hinckley, OH.; one hanai granddaughter and two hanai grandsons. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edwin Cobile
Edwin Moniz Cobile, 87, of Kurtistown, HI, died March 4, 2023 in Hilo, Hawaii. Born in Maasin, Southern Leyte in the Philippines, he worked for his family’s auto repair shop business. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 43 Kapiolani Street, Hilo, HI at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023. Condolences: HomelaniMemorialPark.com Survived by wife, Purita Cobile of Kurtistown; daughters, Eden (Douglas) Bennett of Honolulu, Edelyn (Prescott) Ellwood of Kurtistown, Edna Aguinza of Manila, Philippines;eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; cousins, nephews and nieces.
Asae Nakaoka
Asae “Nancy” Nakaoka, 92, of Hilo died Mar. 21 at her residence. Born in Naalehu, she was a retired waitress at the Hilo Yacht Club and a member of the Hilo Meishoin Mission and its Fujinkai. Private services held. Family requests no flower and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Clifford (Audrey) Nakaoka of Mililani; daughters, Sandra Hayashi of Hilo, Patti (Jon) Tsukamoto of Kaneohe, Shari (Sean Dowling) Nakaoka of Pearl City; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Soares, Jr.
Edward Pimental Soares, Jr., 93, of Keaau died March 21 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired mechanic for the Federal Government and a member of New Hope Hilo. A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday April 26, 2023 at Homelani Memorial Park (Ilima Section). Survived by two daughters; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jay Moriguchi
Jay Ryuzo Moriguchi, 63, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii died March 23, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hawaii on November 19, 1959, he was the fry cook for Kona Chips and lab technician for Akamai Photo. He is survived by his mother, Yooko Moriguchi of Kailua Kona; brother, Martin Moriguchi of Henderson, Nevada, and numerous cousins. Private services were held. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Flavia Westermann
G. Flavia C. Westermann, 66, of Hilo, died on Friday, March 24, 2023 at home. She was born on December 3, 1956 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a retired registered pediatric nurse. Private services were held. Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood plannedparenthood.org. Survived by, brothers, Sven (Linda) Westermann and Christian (Carolyn) Westermann; daughter, Emilie (Phil) Dobinson; 2 grandchildren; 2 nieces; 2 nephews; numerous cousins; hanai daughter, Haili Debus. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yaeko Koizumi
Yaeko T. Koizumi, 92, of Hilo died March 26 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired secretary for the Department of Education’s Instructional Materials Center, member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and its Fujinkai, volunteer at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and Hilo Union School. Private services. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Dr. Mark (Sue) Koizumi of Hilo, Nathan (Angela) Koizumi of Vacaville, California; sister, Fumiko (Gilbert) Tanaka of Kauai; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Danny Kalauli
Danny Kealohaokalani Kalauli, 75, of Pahoa, HI died April 2, 2023 at home. Born in 1948, he worked at S. McCabe Paving Company (also known as Big Island Paving Co.) for 40+ years and Conen’s Freight Transport in Hilo. A scattering of ashes will take place at Honolulu Landing in Hawaiian Beaches on April 29, 2023 at 9 a.m. with a potluck luncheon to follow at 12 p.m. at the Apolo Residence. Please contact daughter Pua at (808)339-2253 for address. Condolences: HomelaniMemorialPark.com Survived by daughter, Pua (Jon) Norris of Volcano; step-children, Ola (Kathy) Tripp of Volcano, Harley Tripp of Maui, Pamela (Mike) Murray of Georgia, Michael Renier of Arizona, Raymond Subia of Hilo, Patrice (Yaku Kotaki) David of Pa’auilo; sister, Nani Kaeha of Panaewa, brother, Randy Kalauli of Oahu; 17 grandkids; 24 great-grandkids; lots of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Terry Brooks
Terry David Brooks, 69, of Honaunau, Hawaii died April 4, 2023 Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born in Davenport, Iowa on March 11, 1954, he was a manager for former Wendy’s at Keauhou and Hawaiian Isles Water, and a U.S. Navy veteran. Celebration of life service will be held from noon to 6 p.m. May 6, 2023 at Honaunau Beach. He is survived by his wife, Kaliko Brooks of Honaunau; daughters, Spring Brooks of Kailua Kona, and Natasha Terazono of Capt. Cook; brother, Mike Brooks of Iowa; 4 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Wesley Sawada
Wesley Masami Sawada, 68, of Ainaloa died Apr. 6 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a delivery person for Love’s Bakery and a commercial fisherman. Private services. Survived by wife, Sandra Sawada of Ainaloa; daughter, Tory Sawada of Ainaloa; son, Troy Sawada of Ainaloa; mother, Itsuko Sawada of Hilo; sister, Rene (Dean Norwood) Nishimoto of Honolulu; three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jacqueline Botelho
Jacqueline Myra Botelho, 84, of Honokaa died Apr. 8 at her residence. Born in Haina, she was a retired payroll manager for the former Hamakua Sugar Company, member and volunteer of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Private services. Survived by daughter, Tracy Botelho of Honokaa; son, KC (Christine) Botelho of Honokaa; sister, Jennifer (Manuel) Souza of Honokaa; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Candido Castaneda
Candido Pescador Castaneda, 85, of Naalehu, Passed away on April 11, 2023 at Life Care Center of Hilo. He was born on February 2, 1938, in Taguiporo Bantay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines; he was a Planting Machine Crewmen, and he also was a member of the Naalehu Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Friends may call on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Naalehu Sacred Catholic Church, Visitation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Celebration of Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at the Naalehu County Cemetery He is survived by daughters, Charito McFadden of Waiohinu and Elena (Barry) Buyuan of Pahala; sons, Benito (Veronica) Castaneda of Waiohinu, Efren Castaneda and Robin Castaneda of Naalehu; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Anne Watts
Anne Elizabeth Watts, 67, of Hilo, died Apr. 18 at home. She was born in Manhattan, New York, and was a substitute teacher with the State of Hawaii, Dept. of Education. Survived by husband, Joseph Watts of Hilo; son, Thomas (Nicole) Matthews of Florida; daughter, Donna (Elijah) McCluer of Hilo; brother, Tim (Laura) Yeh of New Jersey; three grandsons. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.