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.
Eleanor De Aguiar
Eleanor Ellen De Aguiar, 92, of Kailua-Kona, died on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Regency at Hualalai. She was born on January 12, 1931 in Holualoa, Hawaii. She was a retired retail store manager and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Holualoa, Hawaii. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday (Aug. 25, 2023) at St. Michael Catholic Church, Kailua-Kona; Mass at 10 a.m.; inurnment to follow at Kona Memorial Park. Survived by, several nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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 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 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.
Gordon Buck
Gordon Gaylord Buck, 86, of Ka’u, died on July 10, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. He was born on August 18, 1936 in South Dakota. No services. Survived by, son, Gordon M. Buck of Ka’u; grandson, Gordon D. Buck of Ka’u; great-grandson, Gordon G. Buck, V of Ka’u. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Amy Tamura
Amy Yukie Tamura, 95, of Kamuela died July 15 at her home. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she was a Housekeeper, lei maker and member of the Kamuela Hongwanji Mission. Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by children, Joy Ota of Kamuela, James Tamura of Kamuela, Susan (William) Brennan of Mission Viejo, California; a sister and brother in Hiroshima, Japan; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Davis Mortensen
David Kaahanui Keawemauhili Mortensen, 56, of Hilo, died July 19 at home. He was born in Kailua, O’ahu, and was a structural ironworker, a member of Local 625 Iron Workers Union and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keaukaha Ward, was also an avid surfer, fisherman and a Veteran of the US Navy. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Friday (Aug. 25) at the Hilo Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Alae Cemetery. Aloha Attire. Survived by wife, Carrie Mortensen of Hilo; son, Charles “Pono” Mortensen of Hilo; daughters, Tiana (Brandon) Cain and Dayle (Chris O’Keefe) Mortensen of Hilo, Jessica (Jairek) Kahai of O’ahu; mother, Brenda (Richard) Midel of Hilo; brothers, Robin (Cheryl) Mortensen of Washington, Hans (LaRae) Mortensen of Hilo and Cameron Mortensen of O’ahu; sisters, Sophia Mortensen of O’ahu and Hansrenda Dutro of Hilo; nine grandchildren, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Kapuras
George Ben Hur Kapuras, Sr, 79, of Hilo died July 21 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Olaa, he was a cable splicer for Hawaiian Tel. Visitation from 9–10 a.m. Saturday (August 26, 2023) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; a celebration of his life will begin at 10. Casual attire. Family requests no wreaths, but other floral arrangements and leis are welcome. Survived by children, Sherilyn (Dean) Yoro, George (Boya) B.H. Kapuras, Jr., Russell (Aileen) Kapuras, Kasia (Royson Surgao) Kapuras, Kaylin (Bryan) Huihui; companion, Dolly Motta; brother, Robert Kapuras, Sr.; sisters, Priscilla Robia, June (Robert) Barr; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Douglas Arruda
Douglas Joseph (Jo Jo) Arruda, Sr., 78, of Keaau, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at residence. Born on July 8, 1945, in Hilo; he retired from the Hawaii Electric Light Company in Hilo as a Millwright, Supervisor. He also was a Veteran in the United States Air Force and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Friends may call on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wake service at 6 p.m. Friends may call on Friday, September 1, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo, Visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Celebration of Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park (Ilima Section) with Military Honors He is survived by wife, Annette Arruda of Keaau; daughter, Roxanne (Delbert) Snedeker of Pahoa; son, Tyson L. Arruda of Keaau; sisters, Nadine (John) Medeiros of Mt. View, and Rochelle (Mark Anderson) Waller-Arruda of Puna; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters in-law, Emily Ascino of Kona, Margaret Arruda and Jo Ann Arruda of Hilo; brothers in-law, Ed Kansana of Hilo and Robert Reed of Puna; Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hanako Yugawa
Hanako “Pat” Yugawa, 96, of Hilo, died July 31, 2023, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker, worked at the former Ben Franklin store and member of the Pepeekeo and Hakalau Senior Clubs. Friends may call at 4 p.m. Aug. 28, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn. She is survived by daughters, Corinne (Harold) Higa of Hawi, Joye (Marcus) Goo of Hilo; sons, Craig (Andrea) Yugawa of Mountain View, Clayton (Susan) Yugawa of Hilo, Glenn Yugawa of Keaau, Duane (Amy) Yugawa of Hilo; brothers, Tomoo Uyeno and Kenneth Uyeno of Honolulu; sisters, Amy Nelson of Hilo, Tatsue Walker of North Carolina, Jacqueline (Walter) Nakano of Las Vegas; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michael Correll
Michael Ray Correll, 80, of Pahoa, HI died at home on August 2, 2023. Born on June 9, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA, he was the retired owner of Polaris Insulation in Anchorage, Alaska, an Undersea Technician, Underwater Welder, Commercial Diver, and worked in the rehabilitation, rescue, and training of killer whales at the Seattle, WA waterfront. Private services will be held. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by son, Patrick Sean Correll of Soap Lake, WA; daughter, Debbie Dawn Hipp of Marysville, WA; brother, Bob Correll of Mill Creek, WA; sisters, Tisha Correll of Gig Harbor, WA and Kathy Correll of AZ; friend, Gail Buck of Volcano, HI; and grandchildren.
Edward 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 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Kamuela, HI 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.