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.
Chase Matsumoto
Chase Evan Akira Matsumoto, 23, of Keopu, Hawaii, died May 20, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 3, 1999, he was a graduate of Kealakehe High School and attended University of Hawaii at Manoa. He was employed as a valet at the Outrigger Hotel and an avid tennis player. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. August 12, 2023 at Daifukuji Soto Mission at 79-7241 Mamalahoa Hwy. in Honalo; celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire. He is survived by his companion, Jaymie Kunitomo of Kailua-Kona; mother, Cynthia Matsumoto; sister, Sydney Mau; maternal grandparents, Kumio and Patsy Matsumoto, all of Keopu; 2 nieces; aunts, an uncle, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jefferson Huihui
Jefferson Shawn Matthew Huihui, 57, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, died June 3, 2023 at Queen’s Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 1, 1965, he was a facility attendant for the County of Hawaii. He was a busboy at the former Keauhou Beach Hotel and an avid fisherman. Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the Maka’eo Main Event Pavilion in Kailua-Kona. Visitation at 10 a.m. service at 11 a.m. with luncheon to follow. The family requests casual attire. He is survived by his companion, Helen Luta of Kealakekua; sons, Lowen (Kristine) Luta of Kailua-Kona, Logan (Jennifer) Luta of Oahu, Jefferson (Ashley) Huihui, Jr., of Holualoa, and Jaron (Betty) Huihui of Kealakekua; mother, Jeanne Huihui; brother, Stanley (Lynette) Huihui, and sister, Cerise Huihui, all of Kailua-Kona; 11 grandchildren; several aunts and uncles; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Oahu Mortuary.
Mitsue Williams
Mitsue Osawa Williams, age 87, of Hilo, Hawaii, passed away on June 3, 2023 at her residence in Hilo. She was born in Yokohama, Japan on August 15, 1935 and was a homemaker. Private services. No Koden (monetary offerings). She is survived by son, Robert (Stacey) Williams of Hilo; sister, Sumie Saiki of Japan; one granddaughter; numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo, Hawaii.
Kazuko Mento
Kazuko Mento, 85, of Pepeekeo, died June 27, 2023 at home. Born in Pepeekeo, she was a retired field representative for HMSA and member of Honomu Hongwanji Mission. Private services held. She is survived by husband, Robert “Bob” Mento of Pepeekeo; sons, Quince (Joanne) Mento of Papaikou, Ron Mento of Pepeekeo; sister, Miyuki Downes of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Chiori Higa of Los Angeles; grandsons, Cullen Mento of Honolulu, Grayson Mento of Hilo; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gilbert Fujino
Gilbert Yukio Fujino, 87, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, passed away July 3, 2023 in Waipahu. He served ten years in the National Guard. He is survived by wife, Jean Tsugiko Fujino; sons, Daryl Fujino (wife Lili Fujino, son Dillon Fujino); Keith Fujino (wife Cheryl Fujino, daughter Cayla (Fujino) Magill , son in law Manuel Magill) and Brad Fujino (wife Julie Fujino, sons Colby Fujino and Caden Fujino. Private Service requested.
Craig Funada
Craig “Gabby” Fujio Funada, 67, of Hilo, HI passed away on July 7, 2023 at home. He owned his own general contracting business and was also retired from Hawaii County where he was a maintenance worker. Private services were held on July 26, 2023. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by his wife, Phyllis Funada; brother, Glenn Funada; brothers-in-law, Alan (Leanne) Liu of Kauai and Randal Liu of Kauai; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Andrew Aquino
Andrew “Andy” M. Aquino, 79, of Hilo, died July 9, 2023 at home. He was a lifelong IBEW member with Locals 1245 and 639, member of Hilo Elks No.759, Keaau Eagles No.3642 and Seniors Softball League and loved softball, surfing and driving his 1956 Pontiac Station Wagon. Celebration of Life Aug. 11, 2023, friends may call at 10 a.m. at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. He is survived by wife, Lynne Aquino of Hilo; sons, Brian (Mary) Aquino of San Diego, Aaron Aquino of Grover Beach, Calif.; and grandsons, Alex and Jake Aquino of San Diego. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Loreto Romualdo, Sr.
Loreto Pitpit Romualdo, Sr., 77, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, died July 17, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Banna, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on August 3, 1945, he was a landscaper at Club at Hokulia. Visitation will be held at 8 a.m. August 2, 2023 at Lifewater Church in Kealakekua; funeral service will begin at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome. He is survived by his wife, Margarita Romualdo of Kealakekua; sons, Carlito (Merlita) Romualdo and Eduardo Romuald, all of Kealakekua, Roel Romualdo of Philippines, Roming (Amber) Romualdo of CA., Edgar (Monica) Romualdo of TX., Loreto Romualdo, Jr., and Bobby Romualdo, both of Kealakekua; sisters, Filomina (Eleseo) Mangulaponan, Genopivi (Cesar, Sr.) Flores, Naie Milarging Romualdo, all of the Philippines; 15 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Amy Ka
Amy Kuupua (Hohu) Ka, 92 of Mana, passed away on Wednesday, July 19th. She was retired. Survived by her children, Edward Kalei (Cynthia) Ka of Kent, WA and Carol Paneohua (Owen) Aiona of Mana, grandchildren Noelani and James (Marissa) Ka and great grandchildren Anuhea and Mahina.A Celebration of Life will be held at Mana on August 19th at 11 am. Please contact Pane at carolka@aol.com for directions.
John Gouveia
John “Johnny Rambo” Eric Gouveia, 62, of Mt. View, HI passed away on July 20, 2023 at home. Born on Aug 9, 1960, he was a maile picker and a fisherman. A celebration of life will be held at Reeds Bayy on August 12, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. – Pau. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com He is survived by his son, John Anthony (Puanani) Furtado; five brothers, Albert Gouveia Jr., Michael (Diana Freeman) Gouveia, Peewee (Annie) Gouveia, Bobby Gouveia Sr., and Mark (Monica) Gouveia; one sister, Francine (Don) Gonsalves; two granddaughters; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
David Van Pelt
David Van Pelt, 68, of Volcano, formerly of Kauai, died July 20, 2023, at home. Born in Rapid City, S.D., he worked for Dallas Tessmer’s Construction Company. Friends may call at 9 a.m. August 31, 2023 at Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Mountain View for a 10 a.m. Mass.He is survived by mother, June Van Pelt; sister, Susan (John) Wagner; brothers, Dan Van Pelt and Jim (Nid Noy) Van Pelt; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kevin Deguchi
Kevin Masaji Deguchi, 74, of Hilo, formerly of Captain Cook, died July 24, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired supervisor for the Hawaii County Roads Department, U.S. Army Sergeant and Vietnam War veteran, radioman for The Wee Guys Fishing Club and member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Disabled American Veterans Kona Chapter 7. Friends may call for a graveside urn committal service at 11:30 a.m. August 9, 2023 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn. He is survived by wife, Bernie Deguchi of Hilo; stepchildren, Sheryl (George) Chiquita of Mountain View, Kevin (Lizanne) Caravalho of Kona; sister, Iris (Kiyoshi) Watanabe of Torrance, Calif.; three grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
