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.
Ramona Nordlof
Ramona Lee “Dearie” Nordlof, 66, of Kainaliu, died on Saturday, June 24th, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honoka’a and raised in Waipi’o and Kohala, Dearie was a former teachers aide in Special Education with the Department of Education in Kona. Dearie is survived by husband, Michael Nordlof of Kainaliu; daughters, Maeley (James) Nordlof of Kailua-Kona and Cayla (Ryan) Berry of Captain Cook; sisters, Sharrie (Melvin) Oskins of Pu’uanahulu, Shirley Ann Pasco of Kohala; Leah (Ken) Demaya of Hilo; brothers, Ray (Adele) Arraujo of Virginia, Bill (Kristen) Arraujo of California, and Abel (Yvonne) Amaral of Hawaiian Beaches; two granddaughters, one grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dearie’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 19th, at pavilion 3 at the Old Airport, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Bradford Moses
Bradford “Brad” Hinano Moses, 69, of Pahala, 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 on Saturday (Aug. 19, 2023) at the family home, 96-1269 Hinano Street, Pahala; scattering of his ashes at a later date. Casual attire. Donations may be sent to PO Box 432, Pahala, Hawaii 96777, please make checks payable to “Cash”. Survived by, wife, Jadelyn Kaapana-Moses of Pahala; 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; hanai sisters, Terry Saito of Pahala and Jaynell Jaynes of Milolii; hanai brothers, Michael McIntyre of Nantucket, Massachusetts, Kenneth (Jonette) Gaston of Pahala, Carl Young and Richard March of Pahala; 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 of Pahala, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson of Pahala and Rain Nihipali-Sesson of Pahala; hanai children, Krystal (Clifton) Noble of Hilo, Matt Ahsing of Hilo, Ralphielyn Gaston-Lovell of Pahala, Kennielee Gaston of Pahala and Maelene (Ray) Ducusin of Naalehu; 24 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosalina Gaspar
Rosalina Geronimo Gaspar, 91, of Paauilo, died July 3 at Hale Ho’ola Hamakua. She was born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines and was a retired housekeeper with the former Ritz Carlton resort hotel and was also a member of the St. Columba Episcopal Church in Paauilo. Due to the on-going renovations at St. Columba Episcopal Church, visitation will instead be from 8-10 a.m., Saturday (Aug. 19) at the St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the St. Columba Episcopal Cemetery in Paauilo. Lunch will follow at the St. Joseph Paauilo Church Hall. Casual attireSurvived by sons, Remy (Shirley) Gaspar, Jerry (Mila) Gaspar and Wilfred (Delia) Gaspar of Paauilo; daughter, Mary Jane (Boni) Castro of Paauilo; sister, Alfreda S. Geronimo of the Philippines; sister-in-law, Rosaria Tabucbuc of Paauilo; 11 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Darryl Vierra
Darryl James Vierra, 64, of Hilo, died July 8 at home. He was born in Hilo and was a retired Assistant Professor of carpentry with Hawaii Community College. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Friday (Aug. 18) at the Dodo Mortuary chapel. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Survived by wife, Maureen Vierra of Hilo; daughter, Dana (Kele) Fergerstrom of Hilo; son, Gordon (Kahula) Lacy of Hilo; brother, Arlan (Vicki) Vierra of Keaau; sisters, Sheryl Vierra of Volcano and Holly Vierra of the Big Island; five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Seifuku Nakayma
Seifuku “Lefty” Nakayama, 94, of Niulii, Kohala died July 12 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Hawi, Kohala, he was a retired co-owner and machinist for the former Kohala Heavy Equipment, worked at Kohala Sugar Company and Lalamilo Wind Farm, member of Kohala Jodo Mission, Kohala Kumiai, Kohala Okinawa Kenin Kai, Kohala National Guard Alumni Association and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Hawaii Army National Guard. Visitation from 9-10 a.m. Saturday (August 19, 2023) at Kohala Jodo Mission; memorial service at 10. Casual attire. Survived by son, Cooper (Mavis Lum Ho) Nakayama of Hilo; daughter, Karen (Carlton) Mau of Aiea; sisters, Ethel Arakaki of Hilo; Kay Matsuda of California, Yukiko (Eugene) Otake of California; four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Christian Hiro
Christian Noel Hiro, 52, of Kailua-Kona, died July 25 at the Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Hilo and was the Director of Food and Beverage with the Kohanaiki Resort. A Celebration of Life gathering will take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, (Aug. 20) at Kohanaiki’s Beach Club Event Lawn (73-2055 Ala Kohanaiki, Kailua, HI 96740). The family would like this to be a free-flowing event where family and friends can stop by to pay their respects anytime during the visitation. He is survived by wife, Cristina Hiro of Kailua-Kona; sons, Mason Hiro and Dane Hiro of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Kaia Hiro of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Ted “Bradda”(Deanne) Hiro of Oahu and Dominic (Janice Lee) Hiro of Hilo; sisters, Mona (Kiki) McKelvy of California, Lana (Hans) Haasenritter, Theodora “Theo” Hiro, Luana Gomes and Elena (Dean) Nagamine of Hilo; one granddaughter; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Pauline Hokomoto
Pauline “Paula” Toshimi Hokomoto, 80, of Hilo, died July 30, 2023, at her granddaughter’s home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired manager for the former Hilo Quality Washerette. Friends may call at 3 p.m. Aug. 26, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn. She is survived by son, Kevin Hokomoto of Hilo; son-in-law, Hilton Berido of Hilo; brother, Dr. Roy Matsumoto of Honolulu; sisters, Ellen Nakasone of Honolulu, Betty (Dr. Neil) Nunokawa of Maui, June (Ronald) Spain of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Edward Oshiro of Honolulu; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.