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.
Lynn Wallwork
Lynn Godwin Wallwork, Ph.D., 82, of Kailua Kona died October 1, 2019 at Straub Medical Center, on Oahu. Born in New Jersey, she held a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin and worked as a school psychologist in Sun Prairie, WI. Private services held. Survived by son, Robert La Follette of Madison, WI; daughter, Deborah Wills of Kailua Kona; grandson, Keola (Carlynn) Wills of Loyalton, CA; great-granddaughter, Haukea Wills and great-grandson, Kalapawai Wills of Loyalton, CA; daughter-in-law, Tania Schwartz of Madison, WI.; a niece; three nephews; and her beloved dog Solo. Arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary.
Charise Chai-Amaral
Charise “Kapena“ U’Ilani Chai-Amaral, 32, of Hilo died May 27, 2023 in Dickinson, N.D. She was born in Hilo and was a former employee of McDonald’s in Dickinson and also a former employee of Zippy’s and IHOP of Hilo. Celebration of life gathering, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 9) at Haili’s Tent in Panaewa. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by father, Darren Amaral of Hilo; mother, Clarissa Chai of Hilo; sister, Charell Chai-Amaral of Hilo; maternal grandmother, Leatrice Kamalii of Hilo; paternal grandfather, Henry Amaral of Hilo; paternal grandmother, Maize (Chris) Lievens of Hilo; numerous uncles, aunties and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosita Avenue
Rosita Avenue, 89, of Pahala, passed away on August 4, 2023. Born October 8, 1933 in Wailua, she was a retired teacher with the Hawaii Department of Education. She is survived by sons, Clayton “Sonny” (Debi) Avenue, Mel (Kathleen) Avenue, Leonard (Angie) Avenue; daughters, Teresita Akana, Nora Avenue; brother, Frank (Christa) Baliling; son in laws, Wayne Borden and Robert “Bobby” See; sister in law, Roberta Gacutan; in addition to 14 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Services will be held on Saturday, September 16th, at the Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church; Visitation 9 a.m. Service at 10 a.m. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Ronald Nishimura
Ronald Yukio Nishimura, 76 of Hilo died August 7, 2023 at Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu. Born in Hilo, he retired from Hilo Medical Center Laboratory Department. Private services held. No flowers or Koden (monetary offerings). Survived by wife, Grace Nishimura of Hilo; sons, Alan (Alyssa) Nishimura of Oahu, Reid Nishimura of Hilo and Gary Nishimura of Hilo; brothers, Richard (Carolyn) Nishimura of Hilo and Glenn (Katherine West) Nishimura of Arkansas; sisters, Jennie (Robert) Hashiro of Kahului, Maui and Edna Watanabe of Hawi, Kohala; grandson, Owen Nishimura of Oahu; aunts, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo, Hawaii.
Douglas Abran
Douglas Abran, 76, of Waimea, Kaua’i, formerly of Honoka’a, died August 8, 2023 at his residence. Born in Haina, Hawai’i. He worked as a Liliko tractor operator and factory mechanic at the former Hamakua Sugar Company and worked and retired from the Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Course. He was a Veteran of the Vietnam War serving with the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army receiving a Bronze Star Medal and an Army Commendation Medal for Heroism.A service to honor his life on Kaua’i will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Westside Christian Center Church in Kekaha. Visitation from 10-11:00 a.m. with service to follow. A celebration of life will be held on the Big Island of Hawai’i on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Honoka’a United Methodist Church. Visitation from 10:00- 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors and Service to follow. Survived by son Dasan (Leimomi Wright) Abran of Hilo, daughter Maelan (Bryant) Azevedo of Hilo; sisters Frances Alpiche of Honoka’a, Suzanne Tamashiro of Honoka’a, Virginia Kaneao of Waikoloa, Shirley Kirkwood of Illinois, Dolores Sharp of Washington, Attie (Randal) Millare of Kona and brother Ronald (Val) Abran of Kapulena; one grandson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Kaua’i Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Jaylene Pagtama
Jaylene Jacinto Pagtama, 32, of Keaau died on August 9, 2023, at Staub Hospital in Honolulu. Jaylene was born in Hilo and graduated from Keaau High School and UH Hilo with a BA in Psychology. She worked as a cashier at Office Max, as a teacher at Keaau High School, and at UH Hilo as a Student Clerk. She enjoyed volunteering at her auntie’s business at MDJ’s Hawaii. Celebration of Jay’s Life will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Service at 7 p.m. Final Visitation the next day at 9 a.m. at the same location followed by a burial at Homeland Memorial Park. Lunch will be served at The Vintero’s Residence at 4015 Hiluhilu Pl Hilo. Jaylene was survived by a long-time loving and caring partner boyfriend for 10 years, Kris Malson of Keaau, dad Nestor and mom Jeogy Pagtama of Keaau, hanai mother, Marlene Vintero of Hilo, sister Janes and partner Sheldon Onouye of Oregon; brother, Nick Pagtama of Nevada; nephew and niece Jaydin and Brooke Onouye. Numerous uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.