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.
Perfecto Albert “Ping” Raniada
Perfecto Albert “Ping” Raniada, 79, of Hilo died Aug. 23 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in the Philippines, he was a car salesman for Orchid Isle Auto Center and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 26) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by son, Cameron Raniada of Hilo; daughter, Darcel (John) Naki of Hilo; sister, Lottie Hospe of Hilo; sister-in-law, Sharon Raniada of Hilo; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Florine Dolores Ku‘upualani
Florine Dolores Ku‘upualani (Santos) Elarco, 72, of Hawi died Aug. 17. A 1970 graduate of Honokaa High School, she founded tax preparation and bookkeeping business, Flo &Company, was known as the “Tax Lady of Kohala, worked for companies including Honokaa Chevron, Mauna Kea Resort, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, and MG Distributors and sang in local groups. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 28) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi. Mass at 10 a.m. Survived by children, Danusia Elarco and Teresa (Jason) Vega; stepchildren Linda (Ika) Vea, Randall Elarco Jr. and Tammy Elarco; brother; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Robert Kaiama Naihe III
Robert Kaiama Naihe III, 54, of Captain Cook died Aug. 1. Born in Kealakekua, he was a construction foreman for Isemoto Contracting Co., Jas W. Glover Ltd. and KKCC. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Pukaana Congregational Church. Service at 11 a.m. Lunch to follow. Survived by parents, Robert Jr. and Mililani Naihe of Captain Cook; brothers, Rogers Naihe and Randall (SherrieAnn) Naihe of Captain Cook; sister, Robyn “Teenie” (Darrell Cho) Naihe of Captain Cook; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jamie Kahela Kaniho
Jamie Kahela Kaniho, 42, of Kailua-Kona died Sept. 9 at home. Born in Kealakekua, she was previously employed at Four Season Resort Hualalai and a Konawaena High School 2000 graduate. Visitation noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Hawaiian Homes Hall in Waimea. Service at 1:30 p.m. with celebration of life to follow. Survived by daughter, Lona Kaniho-Langi; parents, Guy and Sheryll Kaniho of Kailua-Kona; sister, Bree (Jaime) Flores of Las Vegas; brother, Aikapamaikalani Kaniho of Kailua-Kona; a nephew, three nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Tadato “Ta” Shimooka
Tadato “Ta” Shimooka, 103, of Hilo died Aug. 25 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a factory mechanic for the former Hilo Sugar and Hilo Coast Processing companies, member of Taishoji Soto Mission and the former Wainaku Meisho Jodo Mission, and was active in youth sports programs, boys baseball and girls softball. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Caren (Stanley) Sato of Honolulu and Janice (Roddy) Nagata of Hilo; son, Clyde Shimooka of Hilo; brother, Yorio Shimooka of Hilo; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Abbie “Miss Abbie” Leilani Ako
Abbie “Miss Abbie” Leilani Ako, 87, of Kailua-Kona died Sept. 15 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and member of Lanakila Congregational Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Lanakila Congregational Church in Kainaliu. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow in church cemetery. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by sons, Daniel (Leslie) Ako of Kealakekua, Alexander (Candace) Ako of California and Eric Ako of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Lisa (Ronnie) Aukai of Kailua-Kona; sister, Patricia Onaga of Hilo; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mark Masashi Nakashima
Mark Masashi Nakashima, 61, of Honokaa died July 11. Born in Hilo, he was the representative of Hawaii State House District 1 since 2008, a staff assistant to the late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, teacher at Honokaa High and Intermediate School, his alma mater, legislative specialist and UniServ director for the Hawaii State Teachers Association, member of Hilo Medical Center Foundation, U.S.-Japan Council, Hamakua Lions, Hawaii State Jaycees and graduate of University of Hawaii at Manoa. Hilo visitation 9-11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Sangha Hall. Buddhist service at 11 a.m. Honolulu visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Signing of memorial book available until 2 p.m. both days. Survived by wife, Yvette Lee Nakashima; stepchildren, Royce and Loryn Hirai; mother, Betty Nakashima; sister Sandra (Greg) Jakob; nephew, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Laida Kaliiokalani Piko-Kalili
Laida Kaliiokalani Piko-Kalili, 70, of Honolulu, formerly of Kona and Maui, died June 16. She was a retired head housekeeper at Kula Hospital, worked as a server at the former Sizzler in Kona and at state and county offices in Honolulu and helped coach high school and college age group volleyball who enjoyed, dancing hula, gardening and bowling. Memorial 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Kahaluu Beach Park in Keauhou. Survived by sister, Diedra Furtado of Oahu; sons, Kawika Piko-Kalili of Oregon and Kimo Piko of Oahu; daughter, Kalei Kalili of Hilo; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Angeles “Angie” Cecil Omaya
Angeles “Angie” Cecil Omaya, 79, of Las Vegas, formerly of Kalaoa, Kona and Pepeekeo, died June 11. Born in Pepeekeo, she graduated from St Joseph School and the former Hilo Commercial College, worked at Kona Inn and retired from Creative Day Care Center. Funeral mass at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona and Celebration of Life at the Old Kona Airport Beach Park Pavilion on Saturday, Oct. 5. Visitation at 9-10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church. Mass 10-11 a.m. at St Michael’s Church. After mass, celebration of life at 12:30 p.m. with scattering of ashes at 1:05 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Beach Park. Luncheon to follow at the last beach pavilion. Wear casual or aloha attire with Angie’s favorite color, green. Survived by children, Clyde (Amy) Omaya of Pepeekeo, Francine Omaya and Mark Omaya of Las Vegas; siblings, Jane (Clifford) Tam of Kona, Arthur (Beryl) Sampaga Sr. and Paquito Clyde (Martha) Sampaga of Hilo, Veronica Ronnie (Oren) Kitayama of Pepeekeo, Petrona Petty (Derek) Valentino of Las Vegas and Nedeen (Danford) Calica of Hilo; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.