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.
Dennis Kazuo Shigeoka
Dennis Kazuo Shigeoka, 78, of Hilo died Aug. 22. Born in Hilo, he was a civil engineer and certified floodplains manager, graduated from Hilo High School and University of Hawaii at Manoa and was a U.S. Army veteran. Inurnment with military honors 11:30 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 12) at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Karen Pereira-Shigeoka; sons, Reid, Neil and Dean (Ariana) Shigeoka; stepson, Randall Fontes; stepdaughter April Feliciano; sisters, Edna (Walter) Murasaki and Dianne (Gen. Gary) Hara; sisters-in-law, Blanche Shigeoka, Sue Shigeoka and Sandra Todd; brothers-in-law, David Perreiraand Darrel Pereira; two grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Kenneth “Neke” Ku‘uipo Reed Kapeliela Jr.
Kenneth “Neke” Ku‘uipo Reed Kapeliela Jr., 63, of Hilo died July 21 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was groundskeeper for Grand Naniloa Hotel, worked for Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, former roofer for Honolulu Roofing Co. and former security and flagger for Jan Guard. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by wife, Patricia Kapeliela of Hilo; children, Kerilynn (Thomas) Perez of Waianae, Oahu, Kyle (Reena Irvine) Kapeliela of Pahoa, Kristine Kapeliela and Klint Kapeliela of Hilo, Keith (Regina) Kapeliela of Kapolei, Oahu, Kalvin (Harley) Kapeliela of Pahoa, Kimberly Kapeliela of Hilo; sister, Corrina (Jeffrey) Gowan of Kapolei; brother, Michael (Stacey) Kapeliela of Hilo; sister, Carabeth (Austin) Kyle of Kona; sister-in-law, Antoinette Jine of Honolulu, Oahu; 16 grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shelsa “Chacha” Gale
Pili Aloha Bush
Shelsa “Chacha” Gale Pili Aloha Bush, 41, of Hilo died July 23 at home. She was born in Honolulu. Celebration of life 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Onekahakaha Beach Park, Pavilions 2 and 3. Service at 11 a.m. Lunch at noon. Casual or beach attire. Survived by husband, Taylor Tahara of Hilo; daughter, Dhallys Nahoku of Hilo; mother, Althea “Gummy” Bush of Keaau; brother, Clint (Grace) Bush of Keaau; hanai parents, Paul “Pop Pop” and Donna Moffett of Hilo; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Thomas Eugene Robertson
Thomas Eugene Robertson, 83, of Waimea, died June 27 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in McLoud, Okla., he worked for United Airlines, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a private security company, was a journalist, owner of a real estate company and a U.S. Navy Vietnam War-era veteran. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 14) at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea. Fellowship to follow. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Michael Scott Robertson of San Francisco, Micheal Sean Robertson of Taft, Texas, and Casey Robertson of Holly Springs, Miss.; daughter, LeAnn (Stephen) Atwood of Humble, Texas; half-sister, Stacey Smedick of Texas; 10 grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Susan Ann Piilani
Cabral-Kendrick
Susan Ann Piilani Cabral-Kendrick, 62, of Kankakee, Ill., died July 1. She was born in Hilo. Private celebration of life at a later date. Survived by husband, Donald Kendrick of Kankakee; son, Keanu Kendrick of Kankakee; sisters, Blanche (Patrick) Pestana of Honolulu and Diana (Josevata Naikidi) Andreas of Hilo; brothers, Charles (Sharon) Cabral and Melvin Cabral of Hilo; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by LAX Mortuary of Kankakee, Ill., and Dodo Mortuary.
John Valentine
Hauola Roback
John Valentine Hauola Roback, 74, of Kailua-Kona, died on Aug. 20 at home. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the Hilton Of Waikoloa Village as a convention services headhouseman. A celebration of life will be held from noon- 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Honokohau Clubhouse. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Lila Roback of Kailua-Kona; sons, Keone (Hokunani) Roback of Papaikou, Luke (Willow) Roback of Oceanview and William Roback of Kona; daughters, Lindsay Asa (Manuia) Roback Of Kona and Sudye Hansen of Arizona; sister, Geraldine Silva of Las Vegas, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Rosemary June Rodrigues
Rosemary June Rodrigues, 87, of Hilo died Aug. 25 at home. Born in El Reno, Okla., she was a homemaker and member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Graveside committal service to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No.2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Raymond S. Rodrigues Jr. of Hilo; sons, Raymond “Roddy” (Laura-Lee) Rodrigues III and Gregory (Lynn) Rodrigues of Hilo, Ryan (Danette) Rodrigues of Lanai; sister, Kathleen Morse of Wyoming; 11 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Glenn Ervin Laughery Jr.
Glenn Ervin Laughery Jr., 80 of Kailua-Kona died Aug. 23 at home. Born in Jacksonville, Fla., he worked at several hospitals and as corporate security. Private services held. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by partner, Richard Tavares; sisters, Janice Spencer of Florida; Irene (Frank) Hoch of Culver City, Calif.; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Kevin Valentine Kuikanoa “Noa” Ka‘akimaka
Kevin Valentine Kuikanoa “Noa” Ka‘akimaka, 76, of Honokaa died Aug. 27 in Hilo. Born in Honolulu, he was a federal firefighter and engineer on Oahu, Aiea High School graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran. Visitation and celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Waimea Hawaiian Homes Hall (Kuhio Hale DHHL). Inurnment with military honors 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Kathleen “Kipi” Barker Ka‘akimaka; children, Kalvin Keola Ka‘akimaka, Kaeleen Kalaniku (Manuel “Junior”) Martinez, Kananimaeole Ka‘akimaka, Kevin V. K. “Kui” Ka‘akimaka II, and Kevinette Ka‘ila (Steven) Paris; sisters, Melveen (Mike Reyes) Leed, Nalani O’Brien, Monette Ka‘akimaka, and Phyllis Kuamo‘o; sisters-in-law, Barbara Barker Johnson and Denise “Denny” Barker Emmes; 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and hanai great-granddaughters. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
