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.
Gwendolyn Matsui
Gwendolyn Harriett Matsui (Akana) died on Sept. 12 at home in Waimea. She was born in Honolulu. Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Hawi County Cemetery, located behind Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi. Survived by children M. Nalani Finsand of Kamuela, Marnett Quiroz of Kailua-Kona and Rey Matsui of Honolulu; 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Leinaala Drummond
Leinaala Teruya Drummond, 77, died on Sept. 18 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Puunene, she was a former Miss Hawaii (1964), the image of the iconic Hawaiian Airlines logo, one of Danny Keleikini’s famous three hula dancers, co-owner of Ian’s Restaurant and Deli in Pukalani, Maui, Maui County Council member, founding program director at Hawaii Family Forum, realtor and ordained pastor. A celebration of life will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Kamaole Beach III on Maui. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. She is survived by son, Kawika Drummond; daughter, Christina Drummond; brother, Asa Teruya; sisters Leona Asako (John) Medeiros, Iwalani (Benjamin) Bosque, Doreen (Lee) Yamashita, Darlyn Atay, Cindy Saffery; sister-in-law Gina Teruya and one granddaughter. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Henry Leslie
Henry “Sonny” Leslie, III, 90, of Napoopoo, died on Aug. 2 at his residence. Born in Kealakekua, he was a commercial fisherman, a construction supervisor at the Hokulia Golf Course and a veteran of the Hawaii National Guard. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 14) at Kahikolu Congregational Church at 82-5931 Napoopoo Rd., Napoopoo, Hawaii; Memorial Service at 10 a.m.; luncheon will follow at Yano Hall at 82-6145 Mamalahoa Hwy., Capt. Cook, Hawaii. Casul attire. Survived by, daughters, Arlene Kahananui of Kaawaloa, Valerie Kaeo of Kaawaloa and Jadelyn (Clifford) Medeiros of Honaunau; hanai daughters, Marilyn Mitchell of Waimea, Marlene (Lyle) Thomas of Santa Cruz, California and Henrilyn (Gordon) Grace of Opihihale; son, Randall Leslie of Kaawaloa; hanai son, Tete Mitchell of Opihihale; sister, Joanna Gaspar of Kealakekua; brothers, Henry Butchie (Nancy) Leslie of Oahu and Chuckie Leslie of Napoopoo; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Agnes Fukumoto
Agnes Sueko Fukumoto, 97, of Kailua-Kona, died June 24 at her residence. Born in Holualoa, she was a secretary for the State Department of Health, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church on Oahu. Service held Thursday (Oct. 12) at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery) at 2177 Puowaina Dr., Honolulu. She is survived by her son, Alan (Sandra) Fukumoto of Waianae, Oahu; daughters, Lynn Jenks of Nampa, ID., and Renee (Gerald) Fukumoto-Ben of Holualoa; 3 grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
James Dumaguin, Jr.
James Domingo Dumaguin, Jr., 36, of Kailua-Kona, died on Sept. 30 at Queen’s Medical Center. Born in Kealakekua, he was a physical education teacher at Kealakehe Intermediate School and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 13) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 75-230 Kalani St., Kailua-Kona. Visitation will continue from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 14) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 81-6493 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, Hawaii; Funeral Service at 11 a.m.; burial to follow at Saints Family Cemetery in Keei, Hawaii. Casual attire and flowers are welcomed. Survived by, wife, Leilani Dumaguin of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Joanna (Sam) Kekuaokalani of Utah, Kara Dumaguin of Kailua-Kona and Jaymie (Matt) Nield of Kailua-Kona; mother, Laurai Dumaguin of Kailua-Kona; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Thomas Couttie
Thomas Couttie, 87, of Kapaau died Aug. 30 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in North Kohala, he was a retired Engineman First Class with the U.S. Navy. Private services will take place at a later date. Survived by son, Jeffrey Smith of California; sister, Jeanette Richards of California; four grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marcus Kaya
Marcus Monroe Kaya, 76, of Hilo died Sept. 2 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in North Kona, he was a substitute teacher for the Department of Education in Hilo and Oahu, former executive director and administrator at Life Care Center of Hilo, executive assistant at KTA Super Stores and an adult program director for the County of Hawaii. Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sister, Naomi Morita of Hilo, brothers, Lloyd Fukuki of Waimea, Marshall Fukuki of Honolulu, Hudson Fukuki of Honolulu; two nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Zelma Aluague
Zelma Virginia Ray Aluague, 81, of Hilo, died June 6 at the Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Charleston, S.C., and was a Well Fleet Worker for the State of Massachusetts. Private services held. No koden (monetary donations) she is survived by companion, Russel Miyao of Hilo; sons, Alfred Kozik of Fayetteville, N.C. and Anthony Kozik of Michigan; four grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Karen Shafer
Karen Shafer, 80, of Kailua-Kona, died on Aug. 22 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Los Angeles, California, she was a luggage dispatcher for the former Hyatt Regency and Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, a cook for Capt. Bean’s Cruises and telephone operator for Lowe’s. Friends may call on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 75-230 Kalani St., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for a Memorial Service. Casual attire. Survived by, son, Lance (Sammie) Shafer of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Nanishell (Keahi) Robins of Kailua-Kona; hanai daughter, Teri (Ed Reimers) Ahlo of San Francisco, California; brother, Dennis Nielson of Laguna Nigel, California; sister, Jeanine (Gene) Koutz of San Jose, California; 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Faith Ayako Miyashiro
Faith Miyashiro, 82, of Hilo died Sept. 12 in Hilo. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired secretary for Nelson Fukuhara State Farm Insurance. Private services held. Survived by sons, Keith (Claire) Miyashiro of Hilo, Kent (Son hee Choi) Miyashiro of Hilo; brothers, Nelson (Hazel Hirata) Masamune of Honolulu, Russ Masamune of Honolulu; sister, Janice (James) Ritchie of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Michael Murashige of San Diego, California; sister-in-law, Patsy Man of Honolulu; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Mittler
John Joseph “Hans” Mittler, 63, of Kailua-Kona, passed away on Sept. 6 in Kealakekua. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was a caregiver. He is survived by sisters, Margaret Morra of Mesa, Arizona and JoAnn (Mike) McHale of Monticello, Illinois. Private services to be held. Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Miyome Tanaka
Mrs. Miyome Tanaka, age 94, of Hilo, died Sept. 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was retired as the manager of Ming’s Jewelry store and member of Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo. Private services held. No flowers. No Koden (monetary offerings). On-line condolences at www.dodomortuary.com. She is survived by son, Rodney (Pauline) Tanaka of Hilo; daughters, Christine Wakida of Hilo and Aileen Hayashi of Hilo; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. in Hilo.
Robert Yanagawa
Robert Tatsuo Yanagawa, 95, of Naalehu died Sept. 16 at Ka‘u Hospital. Born in Holualua, he was a retired mail carrier in Waikiki for the United States Postal Service, member of the Naalehu Hongwanji Mission and a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. Private services. Survived by daughter, Robin Kamakahi of Naalehu; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Madonna Richards
Madonna Lynne Nelson Richards, 79, died on Sept. 30 in Parowan, Utah. Born in Salt Lake City, she retired as the fabrics and crafts department manager at the Kailua Kona Walmart. Survived by children; Whitney Knight, Corydawn Bradley, Cody Richards, Beau Richards, Chandar Richards, Shiloh Richards, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Online condolences can be sent to www.HeartlightFS.com
Teruo Nagami
Teruo Nagami, 95, of Hilo, passed away on Aug. 28 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he retired from the National Weather Service as a meteorological technician, was a U.S. Army veteran and past member of the Hilo Orchid Society. Private services held. No flowers. No Koden (monetary offerings). Online condolences at www.dodomortuary.com. He is survived by a son, Lester Nagami of Hilo; daughters, Sandra (Robert) McCleery of Pacific Grove, California and Diann Nagami of Santa Clara, California; sister: Mikako Hamakawa of Hilo; granddaughter, Jennifer (Matt Batema) McCleery of Hayward, California; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
