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.
Linda Beer
Linda Hyung Yik Beer, 83, of Hilo died July 8 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Seoul, Korea, she was a seamstress and owner of Sew Wonderful, worked at the former Smart Wear, member of the Hilo United Methodist Church, Hilo Korean Methodist Church and Kamana Senior Center. Visitation from 9–10:30 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 28) at the Hilo United Methodist Church; celebration of her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by daughter, Judy Junko Beer of Hilo; sisters, Hyung-cheon of Seoul, Korea, Hyung-ye Kim of Incheon, Korea, Hyung-soon Kim of Incheon, Korea; brother, Jeong-jo Kim of Incheon, Korea; She is also survived by relatives in Inchon and Seoul Korea, and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Melicia Carreira
Melicia H. Carreira, 77, of Pepeekeo, died Oct. 19 in Hilo. Born in Wahiawa, Oahu, she was a homemaker and a member of the Good Shepherd Church in Honomu. Friends may call at Dodo Mortuary Chapel on Oct. 30; visitation to be held from 10 – 11:30 a.m., with funeral service at 11:30 a.m. and burial at Homelani Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m. Survived by companion Richard Ruthiewicz of Wahiawa; sons Florencio “Rancy” (Rhonda) Carreira and Steven Carreira of Pepeekeo; daughter Ronell (Rocky) Carreira-Wong of Pepeekeo; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Louise Christian
Louise Jessie Christian, 74, of Kailua-Kona, died on Oct. 10 in Kealakekua. Born in Algiers, Algeria, she worked as a waitress. She is survived by husband Barry; and daughter Nicole (Joseph) Frediani of San Francisco, California. Private services will be held. Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Joseph Ah Fu Chong
Joseph Kumauna Ah Fu Chong, 81, of Waimea, died Aug. 18 at home. Born in Kalamaula, he was a carpenter. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Honoka‘a SDA Church located at 45-3348 Mamane Street. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., celebration at 11 a.m. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com Survived by wife, Trenda (Hall) Chong; children Melia Paleka, Ikaika (Rhoda) Chong, and Anuhea (Francis) Chong-Sriwongtong; two grandchildren; and many 4-legged grandchildren.
William Chong
William Ong Yet Chong, 74, of Hilo, died Aug. 26 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Waiakea High School teacher and had also taught at Hilo High School. Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers. He is survived by wife, Cherlyn Chong of Hilo; sons, Richard (Melissa) Chong of Kihei, Maui, Patrick (Tanya) Chong and Michael Chong of Hilo; mother, Helen Chong of Mililani, Oahu; sisters, Helen (Dr. Tadao) Nagashima of Hilo, Darlene (Gary) Hamakawa of Waipio Gentry, Oahu, Jerrilyn (Ronald) Doi of Mililani, Oahu; eight grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mark Kanakaole
Mark Lono Kanakaole, 65, of Hilo, died on Sept. 1 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on Oahu, he was a musician at Sugar Shack bar in Haleiwa and Hale Inu Sports Bar in Hilo, played with groups such as Nanea and Kanakaole Trio, and he also played regularly at the Hilo Farmers Market Kitchen and in front of the One Gallery store. A celebration of will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at The Salvation Army Hilo Corp, 219 Ponahawai St., Hilo. Another celebration of Life will be held on a later date on Oahu. For more information, please contact: Veronica Tarleton, PO. Box 10851, Hilo, HI 96721 or Dwyane Asperilla, 251 Kapiolani St, Hilo, HI 96720. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com Survived by sons, Emaile (Marni) Quintal, Wayne “Bozo” (Kalena) Campbell, and Tyrone (Joane) Campbell; daughters, Wendy Opiopio, Shana Torres, and Shantel (Gabby) Acasio; 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
James Kauahikaua
James “Jim” Kauahikaua, 72, of Hilo, died on Oct. 8 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a United States Geological Survey (USGS) geophysicist, and former Scientist-In-Charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Survived by wife, Jeri Gertz; daughter, Lilinoe Kauahikaua; brother, David (Malia) Kauahikaua; brother-in-law, Mike Gertz; nieces, Ruthie and Sarah Gertz; nephews, Liko and Kai Kauahikaua; in addition to numerous cousins, loving friends and collegues. Services to be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Daisy Kawelo
Daisy Mahealani Kawelo, 42, of Pahoa, died on Aug. 20 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a former office administrative assistant at Ainaloa Longhouse and worked as kitchen help and wait staff at Pele’s Kitchen. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center. Casual attire and flowers are welcomed before 2:30 p.m. Survived by, son, Chandsome Kawelo-Lewi; daughter, Chevelyn Kawelo-Lewi; parents, Lance and Christine Kawelo; brother, Gerard Kawelo; sisters, Ewalina Kawelo and Joanna Kawelo; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Mataichi Kosora
Mataichi ”Danny” “Pitot” Kosora, 90, of Hilo died Sept. 26 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Olaa, he was a retired nurseryman, U.S. Marine Corps Korean War veteran, University of Hawaii alumnus, Peace Corps volunteer, Peace Corps Training Center staff, Job Corps staff, Agency for International Development staff and RSVP volunteer. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 28) at Dodo Mortuary chapel. Celebration of Life with military honors at 4 p.m. Urn committal service 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 pavilion. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Catherine “Katie” Kosora of Hilo; son, John Shintaro Kosora of Las Vegas; brother, Jerry (Betty) Kosora of Keaau; cousins, and a niece and nephew. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ronald Silva
Ronald “Butch” Richard Silva, 73, of Hilo died Sept. 28 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired marine machinist for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Visitation 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 27) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Cremation to follow. Oahu service in November. Inurnment at a later date. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Rowena Silva of Hilo; children, Shellie (Moku) Paiva and Julie (Jinky) Silva of Oahu, Dallas (Kehau) Silva of Henderson, Nev.; stepchildren, Glenn “Tookey” (Chantee) Shiroma Jr., Grant Shiroma Sr., Glen “Sonny” (Elke) Manikis and Tracie (Dane) Salas of Hilo; mother, Shirley-Mae Silva of Oahu; sister, Bernadette Bellevou of Oahu; brother, Douglas Silva of Oahu; brothers-in-law, Michael Hulama Sr. of Ewa Beach, Oahu, Jesse (Debbie) Hulama Sr. of Pepeekeo and Stanford “Puggy” (Linda) Hulama Sr. of Kaiwiki; sisters-in-law, Joanne “Joey” Hulama and Faye Williams of Hilo, Barbara Hulama of Waikoloa, Nova Garcia of Kauai; nine grandchildren; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alicia Francesca Widmer
Alicia Francesca Widmer, 80, died on Aug. 24 at home in Kailua-Kona. Though she was born and raised in California, she lived in Kona for 50 years. She is survived by daughter, Honoree Pellerin from California, son, Joshua Goodwin (Jenny Sue); daughters, Nani Widmer (Kauiki Cook), Kuuipo Kainoa (Jingles) all of the Big Island; sister, Honoree Broderson (George) 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A private family memorial will be observed. Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary.