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.
Mariana Ekipwich Tillipau
The Rev. Mariana Ekipwich Tillipau, 65, of Keaau died Jan. 19 at her son’s home in Oakland, Iowa. Born Sapore, Fefen, Federated States of Micronesia, she was an Apostolic Church of Micronesia Pastor, worked, among other places, at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co., and expert cook and crafter. Service 1 p.m. Friday (Feb. 23) at the family home, 15-1643 Koalii St. in Keaau. Graveside committal service 11 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 24) at Alae Cemetery. Online condolences: condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com. Survived by husband, The Rev. Leo M Dillipau; children, Merlisa, Apolonia and Jonathan. Arranements by Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, Iowa and Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis Paul Joaquin
Dennis Paul Joaquin, 75, of Kailua-Kona died Feb. 9 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Honokaa, he was a retired machine operator for the former Hamakua Sugar Co. and member of King’s Chapel Honokaa and Koa Puna Motorcycle Club Kohala Chapter. Celebration of life 9 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 24) at King’s Chapel Honokaa. A bike run and luncheon will follow at the ILWU Jack Wayne Hall Building in Honokaa. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Devin Joaquin, Chachi (Tracey Nacimento) Joaquin, Royce (Darlene) Joaquin and Dennison (Telsea Taketa) Joaquin; daughter, Summer (Xaryn Matsu) DelaRosa; brothers, Lazaro Dong (Daria) Joaquin and Robin (Momi) Lorenzo; sisters, Julie Ann (Myron) Kidani and Fidela (Thomas) Joaquin-Long; 12 grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harold “HK” Henry Kamekona
Harold “HK” Henry Kamekona, 63, of Hilo died Jan. 28 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a stone mason and member of the Ali‘is Motorcycle Club. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 25) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by daughters, Nicole (Armando) Juarez-Kamekona and Erin Kamekona of Washington, Ashley Kamekona and Lacy Kamekona of Hilo; sister, Leanne (Lydia) Kamekona of California; five grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Arnold “Ano” Kalakini Bannister
Arnold “Ano” Kalakini Bannister, 54, of Kealakekua died Feb. 7 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Wahiawa, Oahu, he was a former heavy equipment operator for E.M. Rivera. Services at a later date. Survived by significant other, Davolyn Pama of Kealakekua; daughter, Briana (Precious) Pama of Kealakekua; sons, Kolten (Ashley) Bannister of Hookena and Travis (Kapua) Pama of Kealakekua; mother, Elizabeth Bannister of Kealakekua; sisters, Leonora (Timothy) Walsh of Arizona and Karen (Wray) Ichishita of Kealakekua; brothers, Clinton (Roylynn) Bannister of Hilo, Moke (Tanya) Bannister of Honaunau and Aaron (Heather) Kaiawe of Kona; hanai sister, Tracey Kaiawe; godchildren, Lainie (Jordan) Alapai, Kassie (Michael) Alapai, Caylie Alapai and Tia (Dayton) Alapai; nine grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Merwyn Kaipolani Takaki
Merwyn Kaipolani Takaki, 73, of Kealakekua,died Feb 6. in Kealakekua. Born in Kealakekua, he was the Service Manager for Yamaguchi Bus Service, was a mechanic at heart and loved to fix anything and everything. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. March 9, with service to follow at 11 a.m. at the Takaki residence in Kainaliu. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann (Cho) Takaki; daughter, Heather Takaki and 1 grandson, all of Kealakekua, Hawaii; brothers, Kenneth Takaki of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, John (Cherie) Kiaha of Honalo, Hawaii, Elton Takaki of Ocean View, Hawaii, and Sylvester Takaki of Kawaihae, Hawaii; sisters, Bernice Mitchell of Puuanahulu, Hawaii and Winona Elarionoff of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc., Kona.
Morgan Francis “Poiman” Toledo
Morgan Francis “Poiman” Toledo, 61, of Waipi‘o Valley, died Jan. 15 at Hale O Kalo. He was a full-time kalo farmer, poi processor, founder of Waipi’o Valley Taro Products, husband, father, papa, uncle, friend, community leader, and lover of Jesus, the people, kalo farming and the Hawaiian Culture. Visitation 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 9 at Hawaiian Homes Hall Kuhio Hale, 64-756 Mamalahoa Hwy. in Waimea. Celebration of life to follow. Casual attire. In lieu of wreaths, the family requests lei. Survived by wife, Mary Toledo of Kukuihaele; daughters, Kawai (Aaron Choo) Toledo of Mililani, Oahu, and Mariah Morgan Hi‘ilei Toledo-Tavares; sister, Debra (Mike) Toledo-Ebreo of Honokaa; brother, Merrill Bennette Toledo of Honokaa; two grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fujie Taketa
Fujie Taketa, 96, of Honolulu, formerly of Hilo, died Jan. 4 in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, she was a retired secretary for the former Deloitte Haskins and Sells and member of Lower Kawailani Kumiai. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Ted Taketa of Honolulu, Arthur (Jennifer) Taketa of Roseville, Calif., Robin (Penny) Taketa of Westchester, Ohio, and Jon (Sheri) Taketa of Litchfield Park, Ariz.; brother, Richard Tanimoto of Hilo; sister, Akiko (George) Nakagawa of Honolulu; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Etsuko Yoshino
Etsuko Yoshino, 90, of Hilo died Dec. 17 at home. Born in Mountain View, she was a retired Hilo Union School teacher and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Alison (Phillip) Williams of Seaside, Calif., and Faye Beveridge of Pepeekeo; son, Andrew Yoshino of Hilo; sisters, Jane (Masa) Onuma of Hilo, Nancy Yamada of Mountain View and Joanne (Clyde) Yoshida of Hilo; brother-in-law, Robert (Irene) Yoshino of Aiea, Oahu; sisters-in-law, Ellen Inouchi and Harriet Yoshino of Honolulu; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles Sadao Ota
Charles Sadao Ota, 85, of Hilo died Jan. 2 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired county wastewater treatment operator and member of United Public Workers and the Piihonua Community Association. Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Gladys Ota of Hilo; son, Bryan (Lissa) Paresa of Hilo; sisters, Yukie “Yuki” Kunihiro, Yoshino “Ruth” Ouye, Lorraine (Gordon) Hashimoto of Hilo and Dorothy (James) Burton of Puna; sisters-in-law, Shizuho “Shizu” Ota, Mayumi Ota, Laura Ota, Ellen “Cuc” Okimura of Hilo and Junko Okamura of Hawthorne, Calif.; brothers-in-law, Walter (Elsie) Okamura of Montebello, Calif., George (Mildred) Okamura of Rosemead, Calif., and Richard (Linda) Okamura of Wahiawa, Oahu; five grandchildren and a great-grandson; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.