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.
Gary Wayne Velles
Gary Wayne Velles, 70, of Hilo died May 3. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired warehouse worker. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday (May 24) at Ballard Family Mortuary. Service 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Burial 2 p.m. at Homelani Memorial Park. Aloha attire. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by companion, Phyllis Pitoy of Hilo; son, Kawika Velles of Honolulu, daughters, Donna (Pete) Holloway of North Carolina, Dawn Lumoya of Honolulu, Gabrielle Velles-Pitoy of San Francisco Bay Area and Nicole Pitoy of Hilo; sisters, Carol Ulep of California, Marvis (Alfred) Correa of Wahiawa, Oahu, Linda Velles of Honolulu, Joan Velles and Sharon Sanchez of Wahiawa; 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Asayo Takaki
Asayo Takaki, 101, of Hilo died March 29 at home. Born in Olaa, she was a garment cutter for Mark Yamanaka and member of Kinoole Baptist Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday (May 24) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by son, Thomas (Karen) Takaki of Hilo; daughters, Ruth Tanihara of California, Nora (Garrett) Zane of Hilo and Merle (Randall) Morita of Honolulu; daughter-in-law, Emiko Takaki of Oahu; sister-in-law, Edith Ihori of Honolulu; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Carolyn Takiko Mizuno
Carolyn Takiko Mizuno, 75, of Hilo died April 5 at home. Born in Kapaa, Kauai, she was a retired Hawaii public schoolteacher and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Visitation 10:30-11 a.m. Sunday (May 26) at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Sheri (Ricky) Ching of Waipahu, Oahu, and Holly (Taylor) Sumida of Hilo; brothers, Michael (Carol) Saiki of Kapaa and Richard (Mei) Saiki of Waipahu; sister, Eloise (Yoshiharu) Asai of Hanapepe, Kauai; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Winona Kaiminaauao Kaelemakule Wong
Winona Kaiminaauao Kaelemakule Wong, 93, of Holualoa died April 29 in Kealakekua. Born in South Kona, she was lead coordinator docent at Hulihe‘e Palace and a dispatcher for the Honolulu Police Department. Services at a later date. Survived by sons, Sam (Pamela) Akuna of Holualoa, Collins (Pauahi) Akuna of Honolulu and George Akuna of Holualoa; sister, Ernesta Masagatani of Honolulu; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kaikuahine “Uncle Boy” William Waialee Jr.
Kaikuahine “Uncle Boy” William Waialee Jr., 74, of Hilo died May 13 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and member of The Way The Truth The Life Fellowship. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Tuesday (May 28) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by children, Keith Lloyd (Tina) Graciidis of Kona, Claudine U. Waialee of Virginia and Kaikuahine W. Waialee III of Georgia; sister, Lillian P. Kaaumoana of Hilo; a granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.