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.
Sylvia Braun
Sylvia Joyce Ingram Braun, 79, of Laupahoehoe, formerly of Bethlehem, Conn., died Nov. 26 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., she graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1962, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was a second grade teacher and office administrator, and later volunteered at her church in Torrington, Conn. Celebrations of life at a later date in Hawaii and the mainland. Survived by husband, Jim Braun of Laupahoehoe; daughter, Charlotte (Frank) Musonda of Ellicott City, Md.; brother, David (Jennifer) Ingram of Florida; sister, Alma (Edwin) Hubbell of Tennessee and Cape Cod, Mass.; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Place
George Abraham Place, Jr., 77, of Honaunau died Dec. 14 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he was an artist specializing in Hawaiian Pre-Contact Art, and a farmer. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. He is survived by his partner, Chantal Chung of Honaunau; sons, George Abraham Place (Sandra), III of Oak Harbor, Wash., Kona (Melissa) Place of Arlington, Wash., Nainoa Place of Kona, and Lyons Place; brother, Lindsey (Sue) Place of Kailua Kona; sisters, Wilma Place of Kealia, Maunahina (Rick) Conradt of Honaunau, Namahana Nozaki-Place of Kealakekua, Stephanie Place of Kailua Kona; 5 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. No services. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Raymond Matsumura
Raymond Yoshizo Matsumura, 88, of Hakalau, formerly of Fayetteville, N.C., died Nov. 20 at home. Born in Olaa, he was a carpenter, member of Soka Gakkai International-USA and Puna Hongwanji Mission, and retired U.S. Army veteran the Korean and Vietnam wars. Services held. Survived by children, Raye-Ann (Chuck Junkine) Dufer, Angie Domachowski, Ivan Matsumura, Dean (Stacey Thom) Matsumura and Carol (Lisa Rogers) Matsumura; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Debra Elaine Durning
Debra Elaine Durning, 68, of Holualoa died Dec. 9 in Holualoa. Born in Saugus, Mass., she was a warranty administrator for an automobile company. Private services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, Dylan (Lindsey Kennel) Durning of Kailua-Kona and Aaron Durning of Ipswich , Mass.; sister, Patricis (Tommy) Lamy of Otisfield, Maine. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Kenneth Maesato
Kenneth Yoshiharu Maesato, 79, of Hilo, died Dec. 11 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Hakalau, he was retired from the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy Mauna Kea Telescope, an electronics technician for the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope and Dynalectron Corp., U.S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran, president of Hilo Okinawan Cultural Club and member of Honohina-Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission and Hui Okinawa. Service at a later date. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Gail Tsuha-Maesato of Hilo; daughter, Samantha (Kazumichi Ohkane) Maesato of Okinawa, Japan; brothers, Gary Maesato and Glenn (Susan) Maesato of Hilo; sister, Loretta Bello of Hilo; brothers-in-law, Myron (Sandy) Tsuha of Ainaloa and Tracy Tsuha of Pepeekeo; two grandchildren; an aunt, uncles, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rodney Isabel
Rodney Santa Isabel, 68, of Keaukaha, died Dec. 22 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired power mower operator for county Department of Parks and Recreation. No services. Survived by wife, Paula Isabel of Keaukaha; daughter, Rena Isabel of Keaukaha; hanai son, Aikane Kahawai-Queen of Keaukaha; brother, Alan Isabel of Hilo; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kendall Hakkei
Kendall Kenichi Hakkei, 70, of Kealakekua died Dec. 28 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired bellman at the former Sheraton Waikoloa Beach Resort. Services at a later date. Survived by wife, Marella Hakkei of Kealakekua; son, David (Hygeia) Hakkei of Kaneohe, Oahu; daughter, Katrina Hakkei of Kailua-Kona; stepson, Tante (Bernadette) Urban Jr. of Kailua-Kona; stepdaughter, Bernadette (Kauhane) Smith of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Kelvin Hakkei and Norman Hakkei of Kaneohe; sister, Naomi (Bill) Matsuzaki of Kaneohe; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Blake Skye Naumu Rapoza
Blake Skye Naumu Rapoza, 43, of Hilo died Dec. 26 in Hilo. Born in Honolulu, he was a fisherman. Celebration of life at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Kaiminani Rapoza, Kihane Keanu Rapoza and Kanani Keanu Rapoza; son, Blake (Kiki) Rapoza; parents, Ralph Rapoza of Honolulu and Michele Forsyth Rapoza of Hilo; brothers, Brandon (Marchele) Rapoza of Hilo and Blayne Rapoza of Seattle; four grandchilden; nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
William Edward Ruddell
William Edward Ruddell, 79, of Holualoa died Dec. 10 at home. He was a drywaller and U.S. Navy veteran. Services at a later date. Survived by wife, Diana Ruddell of Holualoa; sons, Deke Ruddell of Nevada and Victor Ruddell of Kealakekua; daughters, Dana Ruddell and Kathy Coddington of Oregon, Russina Stromberg of Holualoa, Liz Woodworth of Washington; brother, Ernie (Lori) Ruddell; sister, Anna (Dennis) Arciero; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Larry Faustino Castillas
Larry Faustino Castillas, 81, of Pahoa died Dec. 18 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a delivery and warehouse worker for Hilo Rice Mill and timer for Hawaii Canoe Racing Association. Celebration of life at a later date. Condolences to: Shirley Castillas, 15-154 S. Punikahakai Lp., Pahoa, HI 96778. Survived by wife, Shirley Castillas; son, Jayson (Marla Makuakane) Castillas Sr. of Pahoa; daughter, Marcie (Patrick Crivello) Castillas of Keaau; goddaughter, Ron Mata of Hilo; brother, Ronald (Sheena Sunio) Castillas of Hilo; six grandchildrenand nine great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Conchita “Connie” Santos
Conchita “Connie” Santos, 94, of Hilo died Dec. 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hakalau, she was a retired waitress for the former Elsie’s Fountain. Private services held. Survived by companion, Kazu Kawasaki of Hilo; children, Michael (Yvonne) Sugioka of Texas, Gail Sugioka and Dennis Sugioka of Hilo, Desi Sugioka of Pepeekeo, Grace Cobb of Puna, Myra (Glenn Edwards) Love of Oregon; brother, Tony (Rose) Baldogo of Oahu; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lillian “Lily” Leinani Rosati
Lillian “Lily” Leinani Rosati, 76, of Captain Cook died Nov. 28 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in North Kona, she was a sprout grower for a vegetable growing service. No services. Survived by sons, Shannon (Chrissy) Palacio of Oahu and Vito Rosati of Kealakekua; daughter, Helena (Michael) Flanary of Honaunau; brothers, Alex (Michelle) Cacabelos, Lawrence (Vira) Cacabelos, Ronald (Cliff-Ann) Baniaga, Hansel (Sheila) Baniaga and Michael (Margaret) Baniaga; sisters, Rita (Earl) Carvalho, Valerie (Malco Magana) Winkler, Paulette (Steven Tanaka) Baniaga and Nancy-Anna (Lito) Bautista; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.