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.
Ellen Haruko Nagao
Ellen Haruko Nagao, 91, of Hilo died Aug. 17 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was the retired secretary for the former S. Nagao Electrical, Inc. and a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Central Komohana Kumiai and Fukuoka Kenjinkai. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Neal (Jill) Nagao of Hilo; daughters, Linda (Derek) Sakado and Elena Kawazoe of Hilo; brother, Edwin (Sharon) Kugisaki of Pearl City, Oahu; sister-in-law, Irene Nagao of Hilo; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Joseph Hughes
Robert Joseph Hughes, 73, of Volcano died Sept. 2. Born in Cumberland, Md., he was a bed-and-breakfast proprietor. Celebration of life potluck 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Namakanipaio Campgrounds in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Please text his wife, Susan if you’re attending. Survived by wife, Susan Hughes of Volcano; sisters, Marylou Hughes of Florida and Candance Seidl of North Carolina; stepsons, Chris Kraus of Hilo, Elliott Kraus of New York, Peter Kraus of Waianae, Oahu, and Dan Kraus of Washington. Arrangements by Dignity Memorial.
Hisato “Randy” Kaneshiro
Hisato “Randy” Kaneshiro, 85, of Hilo died Sept. 3 at home. Born in Hilo, he was an employee of Hilo Products, Inc., Nani Mau Gardens and Kona Transportation, and member of Hilo Hooganji Mission. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by brothers, Takeyasu (Violet) Kaneshiro and James Hidemi (Linda Kuo) Kaneshiro of Honolulu, Ronald (Iris) Kaneshiro of Hilo; sister, Harue Tamura of Honolulu; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Andrea Nohealani Avenue
Andrea Nohealani Avenue, 58, of Kailua-Kona died May 9 in Kealakekua. She was the county Parks and Recreation maintenance supervisor for North and South Kona. Celebration of life 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua, 95-5462 Mamalahoa Hwy. in Naalehu. Survived by husband, Leonard Avenue of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Torie (Kamaki) Merola of Ocean View; son, Bronson Avenue of Kailua-Kona; brother, Demetrius Oliveira of Ka‘u; sisters, Norma (Paul Book) Oliveira of Ocean View and Lovelyn (Patrick) Alapai of Kailua-Kona; eight grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shinsuke “Shin” Tamamoto
Shinsuke “Shin” Tamamoto, 88, of Hilo, died Sept. 12, at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Waipahu, Oahu, he was a retired crane operator for the former Hawaiian Western Steel and U.S. Army veteran. Private services at a later date. Survived by sons, Jason (Yvette) Tamamoto, William Mathewson and Raymond Mathewson; daughters, Yvonne Mathewson and Verna Napoleon; brother, Jenshin Tamamoto; sisters, Shirley Tamamoto and Joyce Tamamoto; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Timothy James McGirr
Timothy James McGirr, 71, of Milolii, formerly of Hilo and Grants Pass, Ore., died Sept. 5 at home. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., he was a retired registered nurse for Hawaii Island Interventional Pain Management, U.S. Army Vietnam War-era veteran who served as an Operating Room Specialist in Korea and Walnut High School graduate. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Kay McGirr of Milolii; son, Saul (Michelle) McGirr of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; daughter, Raina (Rob) Spooner of Marana, Ariz.; stepson Alexander (Mikayla) Boche of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; stepdaughter, Sophia (Eric) Kjar of Milnor, N.D; brothers, Paul, Michael and David; sisters, Susan, Deborah and June; three stepgrandchildren; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial. Park.