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.
Rev. Ann Yoshie Nagai
The Rev. Ann Yoshie Nagai, 94, of Hilo died Aug. 27 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Dairen, Manchuria, China, she was a retired minister of the Konko Mission of Hilo. Visitation 1-2 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 18) at Konko Mission of Hilo, 58 Huapala St. Funeral service at 2 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers; memorial donations to the Konko Mission of Hilo. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Botelho Rapozo III
John Botelho Rapozo III, 60, of Hilo died Sept. 2 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was a service station attendant.No services. Survived by son, Kainalu Games of Eleele, Kauai; daughter, Nona Rapozo of Waipahu, Oahu; brothers, Adam Rapozo and Eddie (Letitia) Rapozo of Kalaheo, Kauai; sisters Bernadette (Joseph) Gutierrez of Salem, Ore., Stephanie (Josh Benavides) Rockstron of Mountain View; five grandchildren. Arrangements by Dignity Memorial.
Katherine “Kathy” Souza Hirayama
Katherine “Kathy” Souza Hirayama, 89, of Hilo died Sept. 9 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Olaa, she was co-owner of Hirayama Brothers Electric, a member of CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, International Longshore and Warehouse Union chairperson, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co. floor supervisor, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association president and board member, Hilo Medical Center board member and member of Kiwanis Hilo, Red Hat Society, Hawaii Paroling Authority, and involved in Hawaii politics at all levels. Visitation 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Melva S. Hirayama of Hilo; children, Eugene Knaga Jr. of Florida, Cheryl Knaga of Georgia, Karlene (Rich) Hirayama-Kelsch of Colorado, Kelly Hirayama-Watkins of New York, James (Emily) Hirayama, Mel Brian (Sharla “Pua”) Hirayama and Blue Tammy (Jeremiah “Kekoa”) Hirayama-Augustine of Hilo; siblings, Eleanor Eggleston of Virginia and Shirley Acol of Keaau; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jung Hoon “John” Kim
Jung Hoon “John” Kim, 70, of Volcano died Sept. 8 at home. Born in South Korea, he was the owner of Lotus Garden Cottages, a former general director for Samsung Corp., also worked at IBM, Oracle and McDonnell Douglas, and was an engineer, mathematician and violinist. Private services. Survived by sister, Susan Bernal of Texas; two daughters and another sister. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sueno Saruwatari
Sueno Saruwatari, 92, of Pepeekeo died Aug. 19 in Hilo. Born in Olaa, she was a production worker for Tropical Hawaiian Products and member of Hakalau Jodo Mission, Hakalau Senior Citizens Club and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by son, Bert Saruwatari of Honolulu; daughters, Lynn (Glenn) Abe of Waipahu, Oahu, Faye (Gordon Liborio) Saruwatari of Hilo, Gail Saruwatari and Eva Saruwatari of Pepeekeo; brother-in-law, George Hirowatari of Ninole; sisters-in-law, Jane Hata and Valerie Saruwatari of Hilo, Asako Shitabata of Papaaloa; a grandson and two great-grandsons; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ann Miyoko Honda
Ann Miyoko Honda, 85, of Honokaa died July 13 at a private care home. Born in Tokyo, she was a homemaker and member of the Urasenke Hawaii Hilo Chapter. Private services; no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Orrin (Kelli) Honda of Honokaa and Ronald Honda of Kaimuki, Oahu; daughters, Hilda (Sam) Bannister and Marie (Michael Abran) Honda of Waimea; sisters, Sadako Tsuchihashi, Kimiyo Monjiyama, Hideko Hattori and Masayo Take of Tokyo; sisters-in-law, Hisae Watanabe of Hilo and Shigeko Mukai of Pearl City, Oahu; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces, and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard “Dick” Milford Watson
Richard “Dick” Milford Watson, 87, of Laupahoehoe died Sept. 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, he was a retired vice president for Hughes Aerospace and a cattle farmer. Private services. Survived by sister, Marilyn Cheetham of New York; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Steven Robert Rau
Steven Robert Rau, 68, of Orchidland died Sept. 8 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in New York, he was a retired greenhouse manager and member of Paddlers of Laka. Celebration of Life at a later date. Survived by wife, Carol Rau; daughters, Meggan (Elijah Dobrusin) Rau, Kendall (Jeremy Oakley) Rau; siblings, Mary (Joseph) Kearns, Edward Rau, Elizabeth (Phillip) Mitchell, Joyce (Jeffrey) Hirsh; granddaughter, Reese Oakley; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.