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.
Ronald Nolan Makaula Dela Cruz
The Rev. Ronald Nolan Makaula Dela Cruz, 79, of Waimea died Sept. 20 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Honolulu, he was the retired founder and operator of Security Solutions of Hawaii, a security manager for Parker Ranch, spiritual leader and licensed kahu who performed many weddings and blessings, actor and Screen Actors Guild member who appeared in films including “Hawaii,” “The Hawaiians” and “King Kong,” the original “Hawaii 5-0” television program, high chief of the Royal Order of Kamehameha and founder of the Order’s North Hawaii chapter, and graduate of Farrington High School and Junior All-American in football. Private services held. Celebration of life at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Mary L. Andrews of Waimea; stepchildren, Ginger (Rick) Gelke of New York and Scott (Aya) Andrews of Panama; sisters, Lorraine Daley of Waimea, Elizabeth (Rick) Ahina of Oahu and Bernadette (Sterling) Nii of Oahu; brother, Anthony (Malia) Koko of Oahu; three step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Amy M. Saiki
Amy M. Saiki, 93, of Kealakekua died Sept. 23 at home. Born in Manoa, Oahu, she was a retired salesclerk for Kona Coast Macadamia Nut and Candy Co. and member of Lifewater Church, Akitsu Kumiai and Fukuoka Kenjin Kai. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Lifewater Church in Kealakekua. Service at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow. Casual attire. Interment on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. Survived by daughter, Jann (Gene Morimoto) Saiki-Morimoto of Kealakekua; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Rise Saiki of Honolulu and Kathy Saiki of Denver; a granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Estelle Marie Uluwehi Francisco
Estelle Marie Uluwehi Francisco, 78, of Hawi died Oct. 3 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in Honolulu, she worked in the hospitality industry for many years and was owner and operator of E.M.F. Express. Private family service on Nov 9. Survived by children, Rocklyn (James) Ku of Kohala, Tracey (Anthony Granito) Cazimero of Las Vegas, Lance (Tessa) Cazimero of Kohala and Shelby K. (Brad) Fernandez of Waikoloa; brother, Jeffery (Sally) Pacheco of Honolulu; sisters, Gayle Moore of Makakilo, Oahu, and California, Raina Wilson of Honolulu and Tanya (Jeff) Powell of California; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Raphael “Fro” Keli‘iheleho‘okahi Kaupu Jr.
Raphael “Fro” Keli‘iheleho‘okahi Kaupu Jr., 50, of Keaau died Oct. 6 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a truck driver for Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii, coach for New Hope-Hilo baseball team and Keaau High School softball Team, and a paddler with Hui Wa‘a o Waiakea Canoe Club. Celebration of life 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Kaupu residence, 273 Baker Ave. in Hilo. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Meilani Kaupu of Keaau; father Raphael (Sandy Cox) Keli‘iheleho‘okahi Kaupu Sr.; mother, Johnette (Eric Higuchi) Haunani Yuk Lun Pakele; son, Landon Pestano of Keaau; daughters, Leila (Kaynen) Tolentino, Lilia Kaupu, Tiani Kaupu, Mya Kaupu and Kiara Kaupu of Keaau; brother, Kyle Higuchi of Las Vegas; hanai sisters Christina (Liz) Marcinkowski and Jessica (Jimmy) De Reis of Mountain View; two granddaughters; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Stanley Masato Kohashi
Stanley Masato Kohashi, 78, of Kailua-Kona, died Sept. 25 at the Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hilo, he was a bookkeeper for Waikoloa Land Co. and Suisan Co. Ltd. Private services held. Survived by daughter, Leslie (Michael) Sumitani of Hilo; sister, Susan (Jon) O’Rourke of Virginia; two grandchildren; nephews and a niece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Calvin Katushi Hayashi
Calvin Katushi Hayashi, 73, of Pahoa died Sept. 12 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired anthurium breeder, owner of Midori Farms and U.S. Army veteran. Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Cary Hayashi of Hilo; daughter, Sara (Tyler Yee) Hayashi of Lihue, Kauai; brother, Norman Hayashi of Hilo; sisters, Hazel (Owen) Nakano of Hilo and Joy (Rodney) Akiyama of Kaneohe, Oahu; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Carmena Otomo
Carmena Otomo, 80, of Hilo died Aug. 7 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Mountain View, she was a retired public elementary school teacher, substitute teacher for St. Joseph Elementary, private tutor and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private services held. Survived by husband, Walter “Wally” Otomo; children: Russell (Julie-Ann Hanapi-Daog) Daog, Jeffrey (Sheryl) Daog, Michele (Trey) Hanson and Peter Daog; brother, Fernando (Lani) Castro; sister, Margareta DeCurtis; brother-in-law, Ralph Atkins; sisters-in-law, Shirley Castro and Doris Castro; three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Atheny Navalta
Atheny Navalta, 66, of Laupahoehoe died Sept. 25 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in La Union, Philippines, he was a landscaping supervisor at the Hilton Waikoloa Village and dedicated family man. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Laupahoehoe. Mass/memorial service at 6 p.m. Survived by wife, Cecilia Patiño Navalta; daughter, Rose Anne Navalta; son, Neil Philip Navalta; mother, Felismina Navalta; brother, Alex Navalta; sisters, Perlita Agus, Estella Navalta, Jean Go, Armi Navalta and Nancy Lopez. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Helen DeLuz Figuera
Helen DeLuz Figuera, 96, of Paauilo died Sept. 23 at the Villas at St. Franci in Honolulu. She was a homemaker known for her sweetbread. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Mass at 10 a.m. Graveside service 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Burial to follow. Survived by son, Jeffery (Diana) Souza Dias of Paauilo; daughters, Susan (Roger Sr.) Wood of Kalopa, Gail Dias of Papaaloa, Sheila Souza Dias and Karen Heidenfeldt of Paauilo; brothers, Antone DeLuz Jr. and Rogers (Donna) DeLuz of Paauilo; sisters, Geraldine (George) Tavares of Papaaloa and Bernadette (William) Ferreira of Kalopa; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; hanai sons and daughters; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.