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.
Star Kauionalani Alameda
Star Kauionalani Alameda, 55, of Hilo died May 3 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a career educator and spiritual leader, taught reading at E.B. deSilva Elementary School and volunteered as a Sunday school teacher at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday (May 18) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. Funeral service at 11 am. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery, Mormon Section. Casual attire. Survived by husband, C. Kimo Alameda of Hilo; sons, Kekaulike Alameda, Kekaukahi Alameda, Kekaulana Alameda and C. Kimo Alameda Jr. of Hilo; daughters, Angel Alameda of San Diego, T. Seizen (Tevita) Ika and Kira Alameda of Hilo; mother, Mona Ishibashi of Hilo; brothers Pua (Gloria) Ishibashi Jr. of Hilo and Skylane (Tina) Ishibashi of Puna; sister Roxie Tubbs of Puna; a grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Chad “Chaddy Boy” Gilbert Keala Shimaoka Sr.
Chad “Chaddy Boy” Gilbert Keala Shimaoka Sr., 47, of Honomu died May 2 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he and was a former warehouseman and truck driver for HITCO, avid fisherman and opihi picker. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Friday (May 17) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 6 p.m. Private committal at a later date. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Chaden Shimaoka-Bello of Pepeekeo and Chad “CJ” Shimaoka Jr. of Keaau; daughter, Rylee Shimaoka of Honomu; parents, Roland and Pingo Shimaoka of Honomu; brother, Roland “Junah” (Missy) Shimaoka III of Pepeekeo; sister, Ronette Shimaoka of Hilo; a grandson; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gwendolynmae Keonaona Kamanu
Gwendolynmae Keonaona Kamanu, 70, of Kalapana died March 3 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a driver for the former Bragado Bus Service and worked for the former Kalapana Drive Inn. Celebration of life 2-3 p.m. Saturday (May 18) at Church of the Holy Cross, 440 W. Kawailani St. in Hilo. Memorial service at 3:30 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by brothers, Edward K. (Mary) Kamanu of Kalapana and Stanley A. (Jeanne) Kamanu of Hilo; hanai sister, Vivian Maunakea of Honolulu; cousins, nieces and nephews, grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Akinori Imai
Akinori Imai, 95, of Kealakekua died April 14 at home. Born in Olaa, he was a middle school teacher at Honaunau School, owner-operator of Aki’s Electrical Service, member of the SNI Truth of Life Center, Lions Club of Kona and Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Visitation 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, May 27, Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 27, at Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Celenration of life services at 11 a.m. Survived by daughter, Shari Ann (Gordon) Ogi of Kealakekua; hanai son, Clifford Tanouye of Kealakekua; sisters, Kimie Okamoto of Hilo, Kiyoe Adachi of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Kay Kuniko Kardack of Los Angeles; two grandsons; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Irma Lai
Irma Lai, 92, of Hawi died May 1 at Kohala Hospital. She was a former history teacher in Germany, operated Lai Farms in Kohala and member of Kohala Senior Citizens Club, Kohala Hospital Auxiliary and Tong Wo Society. Private services at a later date. Survived by daughter, Rita (Clayton Yamamoto) Lai; grandson, Haden Hoagland. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Carla “Momi” Jean Momilani Cheek
Carla “Momi” Jean Momilani Cheek, 68, of Ocean View died May 2 in Holualoa. Born in Honolulu, she was a private home care provider. Services at a later date. Survived by significant other, Kanani Fo of Ocean View; daughters, Kealai Cheek of Hilo and Noe (Glen) Fuller of Ewa Beach, Oahu; brothers, Kealii (Lori) Motta of Kailua, Oahu, and Kaleo (Debbie) Motta of Waimea; 13 grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Thomas James Norris
Thomas James Norris, 91, of Kailua-Kona died April 26 at a private care home. Born in Chicago, he was a retired detective for the Anchorage (Alaska) Police Department. Services held. Survived by daughters, Rose Glad of Ocean View and Cathy (Chris) Blackley of Kailua-Kona; son, James Norris of Pennsylvania; nine grandchildrenan seven great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yoshie Shimono
Yoshie Shimono, 90, of Kapaau died April 7 at Kohala Hospital. Born in Kohala, she was a homemaker and a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Private services. Survived by sons, Darryl (Iwalani) Shimono of Kohala and Mark (Bernadette) Shimono of Honolulu; sister, Minako Flores of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Mae Iwahori of Maui; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.