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.
Kahu Leifi Leolani “Puna” Keonaona‘oku‘uipo Pratt-Hao
Kahu Leifi Leolani “Puna” Keonaona‘oku‘uipo Pratt-Hao, 84, of Hilo died April 8 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Kapaahu, Kalapana, she was kahu of Ka Hoku Ao Malamalama in Keaukaha a Hawaiiana teacher in Honolulu, a kumu hula for Hula Halau ‘O Leolani Pratt; taught Hawaiian culture, hula and ukulele to children and adults for Honolulu Parks and Recreation, Waldorf School and other organizations. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Additional services on Oahu. Survived by husband, Louis Hao; children, Steven (Ilsé) Pratt, Vernalani “Sister” (Paul) Keb, Vernal-John (Ve’roni’ca) Pratt and Tiana-Elizabeth (Kamalu) Kong; stepson, Vernal (Jocelyn) Pratt Jr.; son-in-law, William “Baba” Haole IV; caregivers, granddaughter and spouse, Shyana (Poata) Pratt-Faitu; 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; hanai children; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elsie Drake
Elsie Drake, 95, of Honokaa died March 31 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Haina, she was a homemaker and member of Honokaa Seventh-day Adventist Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Sunday (April 28) at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Honokaa. Service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Honokaa Seventh-day Adventist Church Cemetery Survived by daughter, Yvonne (Gary) DeRego of Kalopa; son, Lewis (Tina) Drake of Honokaa; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Emiliana Villa Joaquin
Emiliana Villa Joaquin, 93, of Paauilo died March 20. Born in the Philippines, she was a homemaker. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Service at 10 a.m. Burial noon at Kalopa Cemetery. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by daughters, Gloria (Randall) Carreira of Paauilo and Irene Joaquin of Philippines; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Abel Simeona Lui
Abel Simeona Lui, 80, died March 5 at home in Kealakekua. Born in Honolulu, he was the Konohiki O Kawa’a, care keeper of the land. Graveside service and burial to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Naalehu Cemetary, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at Whittington (Honuapo) park pavilions. Survived by longtime partner/significant other Kittrena Morgan of Kealakekua; sons Alii Nui Kawaa “Kanaka” Simeona Lui of Canada, and Ikeole “Keawe” Kamakani Kalua Simeona Lui; daughter Kuulei Leeane Simeona Lui of Canada;sisters Brenda Garrigan of Oahu, April Haunani Lui of Oceanview; brother Bernard Lui of Oahu, and countless nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Benny Shigeru Akamine
Benny Shigeru Akamine, 70, of Hilo died March 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was the retired owner of Orchid Isle Welding, a Hawaii Army National Guard veteran and member of Hawaii Classic Cruizers. Visitation 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Celebration of life from noon Saturday, May 4, at Wailoa State Park Large Pavilion. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Gwen Akamine of Hilo; children, Darlene “Didi” Akamine, Ian Akamine, Chadd (Ronalyn Duldulao) Akamine and Cyrus (Keshia) Akamine of Hilo; siblings, Jimmy Akamine of Las Vegas, Sharon (Ron) Hoo, Diane (Harris) Yoneoka, Ruth (Ronald) Nakamura and Ethel (Leslie) Toguchi of California, Lena Muramoto and Jean (Dennis) Punzal of Hilo, Maureen Michelsen of Texas; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joseph “Joe” Joaquin DiMartino Sr.
Joseph “Joe” Joaquin DiMartino Sr., 86, of Pahoa died April 9 in Hilo. Born in Providence, R.I., he was a carpenter, ran a deli, was in the vending business, U.S. Army veteran, member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and the Shriners organization, enjoyed cooking for family and friends and also being a proud grandfather. Private memorial services. Survived by spouse, Janis DiMartino of Pahoa; sons, Jeffrey DiMartino of San Francisco and Joseph Joaquin DiMartino Jr. of Maricopa, Ariz.; sisters, Christine Brown of Simi Valley, Calif., and Barbara Butmarc of Cranston, R.I.; a granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Larry Castaneda
Larry Castaneda, 74, of Honokaa died March 12 at home. Born in Honokaa, he was a steward at Hilton Waikoloa Village, courtesy driver for Meridian HRT and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Private scattering of ashes at a later date. Survived by brother, Michael (Karen) Castaneda of Wilburton, Okla.; father-in-law, Bernard (Patsy Sabarre) Labasan of Kealakekua; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harriet Like Crumb
Harriet Like Crumb, 71, of Waikoloa died March 15 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua. Born in Hilo, she and was an educational assistant for the state Department of Education and member of Haili Congregational Church. Private services held. Survived by husband, Wyatt Crumb of Waikoloa; daughter, Danielle Kanoelehua (John) McCarroll of Waimea; son, Charles Crumb of Waikoloa; sisters, Tina Lyman Whitmarsh and Pearl Lyman of Hilo; brother, Newton Smith Lyman Jr. of Kona; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Katherine Miyako Sanbei
Katherine Miyako Sanbei, 97, of Hilo died March 29 at Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Haleiwa, Oahu, she was a retired director for the Kinoole Baptist Church Preschool and member of Kaumana Drive Baptist Church. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by, son, Arthur (Debra) Sanbei of Hilo; daughters, Marilyn (Isaac) Gusukuma of Waco, Texas, Phyllis (Howard) Kuwahara of Vienna, Va., and Jewelle (Derrik) Imai of Hilo; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Scott “Hudge” Hudgins
Scott “Hudge” Hudgins, 72, of Puukapu, Waimea, died March 23. He was a retired Hawaii County Fire Department firefighter, farmer and fisherman. Private services to be held. Survived by wife, Laenette Hudgins; children Kai (Kailin) Hudgins, Zack (Misty) Hudgins, Malia (Kaluka) Maiava, Jesse Hudgins and nine grandchildren. Arrangements by Cremation Services Of West Hawaii.
