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.
Madeline “Aunty Madie” Kanaina Greene
Madeline “Aunty Madie” Kanaina Greene, 85, of Pahoa died Jan. 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Koloa, Kauai, she owned Pahoa Puna Buy and Sell, worked for Island of Hawaii YMCA, was newly elected as president of Nanawale Association and Men of Pa‘a, board member of Pahoa Main Street and its Pahoa Christmas Parade chair, and was affiliated with Malama ‘O Puna, Kanaka Ha‘aheo and Pahoa Neighborhood and other community organizations and events. Visitation and memorial service 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 10) at William (Billy) Kenoi Park (aka Pahoa District Park). Committal service noon Monday, Feb. 12, at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by son, Brian (Monalisa) Hyatt of Hilo; daughters, Terri-Ann (William) Quinn of Keaau, Carla Hyatt Davis and Stephanie Hyatt of Kaaawa, Oahu, and Renee (Vaughn) Arnold of Waianae, Oahu; brothers, William Hoopai of Alaska, Kendall Hoopai of Kona and Roland Hoopai of Kaneohe, Oahu; sisters, Charlene Goeas and Wilma (Joseph) Sparacio of Kaneohe, Lorilei Hoopai of Arizona and Babette Hoopai of Salt Lake, Oahu; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Norman James Santiago Sr.
Norman James Santiago Sr., 72, of Mountain View died April 13, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a truck driver for the former Hamakua Sugar Co., Abregana Self-Defense instructor and member of the Red Legion Motorcycle Club. Celebration of life 11-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Wailoa State Park Pavilion No. 3. Urn burial 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Tina-Louise Santiago of Hilo; sons, Norman (Nikki) Santiago Jr. of Ocean View, Myles Jones of Mainland; daughters, Lynn (Gracin) Tamashiro of Mountain View, Nechelle (Donny) Ferreira of Waikoloa, Nicole (Lee) Segawa of Mountain View, Shansie (Scotty) Leopoldino of Kona, Jolie Salas and Jaime Salas of Hilo; hanai children, Justen (Kristen) Bachiller of Hilo and Nicole (Justin) Santa-Isabel of Mountain View; sister, Marylou Abgegana of Hilo; brother, Robert Santiago Sr. of Hilo; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Samuel “Sam” “Sammy Boy” Sabino Mwarey
Samuel “Sam” “Sammy Boy” Sabino Mwarey, 16, of Hilo Jan. 8 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a student at Hilo High School, member of Hilo High and PAC Hawaii football teams at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he was an altar server. Service at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at the family home, 15-1670 14th Ave., Keaau. All-night vigil to follow. Visitation 8:30-9:25 a.m. Friday (Feb. 16, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial noon at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire. Survived by, parents, Wilfred “Waion” Prens and Achunsion Mwarey; brothers, Stan S. (Kaitlin Beatty) Mwarey, Kerman Mwarey Prens, Samson Mwarey Prens and Darel Prens; grandmothers, Merly Semens Prens and Ursula Mwarey; uncle, Sabino (Mercy Mualia) Mwarey Jr.; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Kunio “Bob” Yanabu
Robert Kunio “Bob” Yanabu, 81, of Hilo died Jan. 16 at Hale Ho Aloha in Pacific Heights, Honolulu. Born in Pahala, he was a retired county Department of Public Works licensed civil and structural engineer. Visitation 2-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 3 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire; no flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Jane Yanabu of Hilo; daughter, Leanne Yanabu; sister, Mitzi (Albert) Kushida; two nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Travis Nakoa
Travis Nakoa, 46, of Kahaluu, Oahu, died Jan. 29. Born in Hawaii, he was a carpenter. Public viewing and fellowship 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo Chapel. Remembrance service at the Key Project in Kahaluu, Oahu. Time to be announced at a later date. Survived by wife, Tishya Nakoa; sons, Thayne W.M. Nakoa. Thayvn M.K. Nakoa and Talyn J.K. Nakoa; hanai son, Jeremy Brown; daughters, Iesha (Jhordan) Buyat and Desire (Bryson) Lum; stepmother, Brenda Kivalu; mother-in-law, Charleen Cadiente; brothers, Jason (Gem) Nakoa, James (Tara) Nakoa Jr., Pancho (Hitomi) Cowell, Bill (Diana) Kivalu and Brandon Witt; sisters, Doreen (Richard) Brown, Desiree Nakoa, Darcy Kamaka and Napela (Craig) Miyahira; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Roy R. Gomes Sr.
Roy R. Gomes Sr., 79, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 28. Born in Kealakekua, he was a small business owner, rancher and pastor. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Calvary Community Church, 76-4295 Leilani St. in Kailua-Kona. Service at 10 a.m. Survived by wife, Marcialee Gomes of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Nahua (Jeff) Guilloz and Kehau Gomes; sons, Roy (Nicole) Gomes Jr., Jonathan (Sherina) Gomes and James (Anjulie) Gomes; brothers, Harry Gomes and Thomas Gomes; sister, Eleanor Bodine; 13 grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clayton Koji Yugawa
Clayton Koji Yugawa, 71, of Hilo died Jan. 10 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a former director of Data Systems for the County of Hawaii, worked at the former GTE Hawaiian Tel, U.S. Army veteran and was involved with Big Island Junior Achievement. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 4 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Susan Yugawa of Hilo; son, Kyle (Anthea) Yugawa of Walnut Creek, Calif.; daughter, Iris (Dustin) Higa of Hilo; brothers, Craig (Andrea) Yugawa of Mountain View, Glenn Yugawa and Duane (Amy) Yugawa of Hilo; sisters, Corinne (Harold) Higa of Kohala and Joye (Marcus) Goo of Hilo; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alan Kiyoto Shiraishi
Alan Kiyoto Shiraishi, 82, of Hilo died Dec. 30 at home. Born in Olaa, he was a retired meat cutter for Hilo Medical Center and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Hilo Medical Center Retiree Golf Club, HGEA Golf Club, Fairway Subdivision Kumiai and East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 10. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Gail Shiraishi of Hilo; daughters, Mela Alisa (Terence) Yamasaki of Mountain View and Marlo (Gary) Nakata of Honolulu; brothers-in-law, Jerry Itamura of Torrance, Calif., Owen (Hazel) Nakano and Lanny (Deidra) Nakano of Hilo; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elsie Fujiko Colon
Elsie Fujiko Colon, 88, of Kealakekua, died Jan. 22 at home. Born in Kealakekua, she was a retired dietitian for Kona Hospital. Private services to be held. Survived by sons Dennis (Sheila) Colon of Kailua-Kona, David Colon of Hilo and Matthew Colon of Kealakekua; daughters Natalie Colon of Captain Cook and Debbie Loeffler of Kealakekua; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Denise Marie Clavette
Denise Marie Clavette, 65, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 25 at home. Born in Bristol, Conn., she was a U.S. Navy veteran. Private services to be held Survived by daughters Darcelle (Eric) Dubois of Georgia and Beth (Tonya) Morin of Hawi, brothers John (Barbara) Clavette and Ronald (Danelle) Clavette, and three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Reed Yasunoru Ichishita
Reed Yasunoru Ichishita, 74, of Kealakekua, died Jan. 12 at home. Born in Kealakekua, was a U.S. Army veteran, owned Jupiter Cleaners and was a retired technician at Keahole Kona Airport. Private services held. No koden (monetary donations). Survived by wife Gloria Ichishita; sons Tod (Lianne) Ichishita and Wray (Karen) Ichishita; daughter Suzette (Jerry) Ichishita; brothers Shayne (Joyce) Ichishita, Kevin Ichishita, Wynn Ichishita and Jeffrey Ichishita; sister Marie (Alan) Nakata; and seven grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rodney Clark Kaleikaulana Kaeka
Rodney Clark Kaleikaulana Kaeka, 82, of Pahoa, died Jan. 18 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired quilt operator for Simmons Mattress Company. Private services to be held. Survived by brothers Dennis of Oahu and Hinano of Mohave Valley, Ariz.; sister Katherine of Oahu; and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.