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.
Mary Ellen Kamakawiwoole
Mary Ellen Kamakawiwoole, 83, of Hilo, HI, died June 12, 2023. She was born in Honokaa, HI on October 27, 1939. An inurnment service will be held at Homelani Memorial Park in Hilo, HI on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by son, David; brothers, Charles, Todd, and Manuel; and sister, Joyce.
Eufrocina Nicolas
Eufrocina Sales Nicolas, 86, Keaau, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois; born on December 21, 1936, in Philippines Islands. She was a retired Factory Worker for the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company. She also was a member of the Puna United Covenant Church in Keaau. Friends may call on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wake service at 6 p.m. Friends may call on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the Puna United Covenant Church in Keaau, Visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Funeral Services at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park (Ilima Section) She is survived by children, Endrelina S. (Jason) Baldivino of Chicago, Ludivina B. (Lito) Compos of California and Emelynne S (Arnold) Fernando of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren; brothers, Primitivo (Lily) Sales of Philippines and Esteban (Benita) Sales of Keaau; sisters, Elena Quila, Cristina (Rogelio) Martinez and Consuelo Dugue of Keaau. numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mila Maes
Mila Kealani Makana’akua Maes, stillborn girl, of Hilo, died on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. No services. Survived by, parents, Jake Maes and Noelani Coughlin of Hilo; grandparents, Esket Padeken and Elaine Maes-Padeken of Kurtistown and Brandi Coughlin of Pahoa; great-grandmother, Angelina Maes-Garcia of Colorado. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Roark
James “Jim” Jefferson Roark, Jr., 84, of Marana, Arizona, died on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at his son’s residence in Pahoa. He was born on August 19, 1938 in Los Angeles, California. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1960 and in January 1971 started working for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. He was the owner and operator of James Roark Designs and was a former associate pastor for Glad Tidings Church in Hilo. An Urn Committal Service will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday (Aug. 25, 2023) at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2 Pavilion and urn burial to follow. Casual attire. Survived by, sons, Kirk (Marilyn) Roark of Pahoa and James William Roark of Tucson, Arizona; brother, Brady Roark of Ventura, California; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alan Delatorre
Alan David Delatorre, 72, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died July 21, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honokaa, Hawaii on September 1, 1950, he was a grocery clerk for Sack and Save. He was a landscaper for Hawaii Island Lawns, janitor for JW Cleaning Systems, and a cook at KTA Store in Kailua-Kona; and a member of the Church of Christ. Wake service and all-night vigil will be held at the family’s residence at 6 p.m. August 15, 2023 at 76-6165 Plumeria Rd., Kailua-Kona. Burial will be at 11 a.m. August 16th at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome. He is survived by his wife, Marina Delatorre; daughter, Alvina Sagun; daughter-in-law, Helen Delatorre; brother, Glenn Delatorre, all of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Laverne Acosta of Honolulu, Sandy (David) Rapoza and Valerie Elbow, all of Hilo; 3 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hatsuko Yamashita
Hatsuko Yamashita, 98, of Keaau, died July 26, 2023, at a private care home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired purchasing agent for Sure Save Super Market and member of Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Private services held. Family request no monetary gifts or flowers. 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, Cynthia Rios, and Lori (James) Moeller; and one grandson.
Tautala Ahinoma
Tautala Ki Mamana Tangi Ki Vahanoa Ahonima, 54, of Pahoa died Aug. 1 at his home. Born in Fatai, Tonga, he was a mason and member of Church of Tonga. An all-night visitation and service will begin at 6 p.m. Friday (August 18, 2023) at the Church of Tonga in Keaau; a graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday (August 19, 2023) at Alae Cemetery. Survived by wife, Louisa Feleunga-Ahonima; children, Ana (Lacey) Ahonima, Tala (Kawla) Ahonima, Lopeti Nisa, Sateki Nisa, Vasitai (Tapena) Tuitupou, Tevita (Jasmine) Nisa, Onika Nisa; 12 grandchildren, numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Miranda
John Gomes Miranda, 87, of Keaukaha, died on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at home. He was born on January 27, 1936 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was a retired roofer for Honolulu Roofing Company. No services. Survived by, children, Frances (Larry) Doaks of Tennessee, Leroy Miranda of Oahu, John (Delilah) Miranda of Oahu, Henry Allen Keone (Anne) Miranda of Hilo, Maureen Agnes Puanani (Harvey) Waipa of Hilo, Elena Marie Zych of Ocean View, Charlene Kapualani Manikis of Oregon, Joelyn Ann Momilani Miranda of Hilo, Emily Noelani (Guy) Astrande of Hilo and Vanessa Lei (Vernon) Quiocho of Hilo; 35 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Norman Williams
Norman “Nozz” George Kalinomaihi Rosa Williams, 45, of Keaau, died on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at home. He was born on January 4, 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Celebration of Life at a later date. Survived by, life partner, Kimberly Takamoto; daughter, Shyla Williams; mother: Kathleen Williams; brother, Chadd Williams; sister, Brandi (Willie) Burns; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Michael Cootey
Edward Michael Cootey, 78, of Waimea (Kamuela), HI, died at Hale Ho’ola Hamakua on Friday, August 4, 2023, He was born in Waimea (Kamuela), Hi on October 17, 1944. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a mass at 11:00 A.M. and private burial to follow. Family requests casual attire. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. He is survived sister, Del (Charmaine) Cootey of Kaneohe, HI; brothers, Joseph Cootey Jr. of Hawaiian Acres, HI and Timothy (Delores) Cootey of Waimea (Kamuela), HI; sister-in-law,Yvonne Cootey of Waimea (Kamuela), HI; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donald Yuen
Donald Namohala Bernard Ah Lop Yuen, 91, of Kehena died Aug. 4 in the Puna home he had shared with his partner of 50 years, Sylvia Mack, who pre-deceased him in March. Born in Hilo, he was an artist, paniolo, sailor, professional golfer, musician, teacher and a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Hawaii Army National Guard. Private services. He was preceded in death by his companion of Survived by daughter, Dana (Manu Josiah) Leilehua Yuen of Hilo; a granddaughter, two great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hatsue Okuyama
Hatsue Okuyama, 93, of Hilo, died Aug. 12. She was born in Tokyo, Japan and was a homemaker and was also a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Memorial service 1 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 19) at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by daughter, Yoshiko (David Weiss) Okuyama of Keaau; sisters, Chieko Azuma of Yokoyama, Japan and Katsue (Masahiko) Matsuyama of Hyogo, Japan; one grandson; several nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.