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.
Joanne De Leon
Joanne “Jojo” (Samson) De Leon passed asay on June 28, 2023 at the age of 69. She was born on August 1, 1954 at Queens Hospital Honolulu, Oahu to mother Caroline K. Samson, and father Bengermin T. Samson. Joanne spent her younger years on School Street in Kalihi Honolulu and later moved to Hawaii Island where she would spend the rest of her life, leaving her mark on a small town in Papaikou, HI. Joanne was a devout Christian and a member of New Hope church in Hilo, where she was loved by all that encountered her. Joanne was an outgoing, courageous, will-full soul who was not afraid to “tell it like it is”. She spent 30 years in the tourism industry as a housekeeper, but worked the longest at Kona Bay Resort. Joanne remarried John De Leon on November 8, 2003 and joined their two families. Joanne is remembered by her husband John De Leon, brother JR. Samson, Grandaughter Ti’ade Samson who cared for Joanne in her last days, children Davlynn Samson, Daisy Tilton, Troy Samson, Step-Children Deanna De Leon (Tampos), Jonnise De Leon (Lui), Keone De Leon, Kaulana DeLeon and Uilani De Leon (Kailiwai). Joanna also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Celebration of Her Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 12, 2023) at Mohouli Park. Casual attire is requested. Condolences may be sent to: PO Box 1013, Mt. View, Hawaii 96771. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Bradford Moses
Bradford “Brad” Hinano Moses, 69, of Pahala, Hawaii Died on Sunday, July 2, 2023 at home.He was born on January 22, 1954 in Hilo, Hawaii. He worked for Slim Holt; Budget Rent a Car; and Avis Car Rental and retired in 2020. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pahala. A Celebration of his life will be held at 12 noon at the family home, 96-1269 Hinano Street, Pahala. A scattering of his ashes will occur at a later date. Casual attire is requested. Donations may be sent to PO Box 432, Pahala, Hawaii 96777, please make checks payable to “Cash”. He is survived by his wife, Jadelyn Kaapana-Moses of Pahala, Hawaii, mother Rosemary Moses of Pepeekeo, sister Suzanne Finch of Pepeekeo, brothers: Wendall Kuamo’o of Oahu, Earl (Joy) Moses of Ohio, and Gary Moses of Hilo, children Desha Lynn Pagan of Hilo, Tiana (Elgon) Villanueva of Pahala, Brad (Chandra “Mai” Santos) Moses of Hilo, Helena Nihipali-Sesson of Milolii, Asia Nihipali-Sesson, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson, and Rain Nihipali-Sesson of Pahala, 24 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous Hanai siblings and children.
Hitoshi Kinoshita
Hitoshi “Uncle Paul” Kinoshita, 104, of Hilo, died July 5, 2023 at home. Born in Honomu, he was retired from the former Hilo Coast Processing Company/Pepeekeo Sugar Company and a member of Honomu Hongwanji Mission. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Aug. 24, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Urn committal service follows at Homelani Memorial Park Columbarium-Japanese Garden. Family requests casual attire be worn and no monetary gifts or flowers. He is survived by son, Wayne (Judy) Kinoshita of San Diego; daughter, Ruth Kinoshita of Hilo; sisters, Betty Goya, Eileen Yaeko Taguma and Sueko Lee of Oahu; sister-in-law, Chiyono Kinoshita of Oahu; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kathleen McConnell
Kathleen Ann McConnell, 70, of Pahoa died July 28 at the Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and co-owner of a flower nursery. Private services. Survived by children, Kathleen (Scot) Lasconia of Stanton, California, Robert (Cindy) Vierra, Jr. of Pahoa, Daniel (Alanna) Vierra, Sr. of Keaau; sister, Pamela Mancilla of Pahoa; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Reno Rios
Reno Rios, 67, of Kalopa, HI, died July 28, 2023. Born in Hilo, HI on August 22, 1955, he was a work supervisor with the County of Hawaii Parks and Recreation Department. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Kalopa Park Pavillion. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com Survived by wife, Lokelani M. Rios; sons, Israel A. Rios, Dustin Rios, Jason Manalo, Rudolfo W.P. Lopez, and Alden “Pono” Pauline; daughters, Aprillee (Richard) Funaki, Lavina Hanohano, and Vanessa Manalo; brother, Jesse Rios; sisters, Kathleen DeRego and Lori (James) Moeller; and one grandson.
Tony Jose
Tony John Jose, 95, of Kapaa, Kauai died on Monday, July 31, 2023 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital He was born on August 31, 1927 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Tony married the love of his life Dorothy. They had 2 children Dennis and Dorothy Ann. They enjoyed 69 years of marriage. Tony was raised in Holualoa, Kona. At an early age he learned the basic skills of roping, branding, horse shoeing, stone wall making and the herding of animals by working and gaining experience from his father’s ranch. At the age of 18 he served in the U.S. army where he was stationed in Korea. After serving his country, he came back and started working as a ranch hand at the W.H. Greenwell Ranch. Then he was employed by Palani Ranch. After 26 years he dedicated his life to his own ranch in Kona. Tony was an avid roper and competed in rodeos. In 2014, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Paniolo Preservation Society. Visitation will be held from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Kailua-Kona; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park. He is survived by son Dennis (Sharon) Jose, Sr., daughter Dorothy A. (Michael) Yeaman; Grandchildre Shane (Julia) Jose, Dustin (Valerie) Nosler, Dennis Jose, Jr., Darrin Nosler, Robin (Kendall) Maqlinti, Clay, Keith , and Calden Jose; sister Gladys Jose, and 6 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sky Mullins
Sky K. Mullins, 63, of Mountain View, died Aug. 1, 2023, at home. Born in Renton, Wash., he worked for The Volcano School of Arts &Sciences and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Private services have been arranged. He is survived by wife, Rachael Roditti of Mountain View; children, Ira Mullins and Max Mullins of Mountain View; sisters, Star (Greg) Carlin of Mountain View, Linnea Mullins of Middletown, Calif., Suzanne Olson of Seattle; brother, Butch (Laurie) Wade of Randle, Wash.; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Pedro Enitan
Pedro Enitan, 92, of Pahala, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on August 29, 1930 in Hawaii; he was a US Army Veteran and a retired Truck Driver for a Macadamia Nut Processing Company. Private Memorial Services were held. He is survived by his wife, Elenita Villa Enitan of Pahala; son, Kenneth (Nadia Keohuloa) Enitan of Hawaii; step-sons, Jun (Susan) Castro of Hilo and Eugene Castro of Meridian, Idaho; Three grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sachi Tomota
Sachi Tomota, 91, of Hilo, died Aug. 2, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in California, she was retired from Union Bank of California. Private services will take place in California. He is survived by son, Alan (Ellen) Tomota of Hilo; daughter, Debbie (Dennis) Lew of Westminster, Calif.; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.