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.
Thomas Jefferson Ito
Thomas Jefferson Ito, 89, of Kailua-Kona, passed away on September 8th, 2024 at home. He was born on August 25, 1935 in Honolulu, Oahu. He was a terminal manager for Chevron, member of Waikoloa Men’s Golf Club and West Hawaii Hawaiian Men’s Golf Club, and U.S. Army veteran. Inurnment 11 a.m. Monday. Nov. 25, at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Survived by wife, Sara Ito of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Sonya (Matthew) Rickard of Anchorage, Alaska; sons, Rodney Ito of Honolulu and Michael “Kalii” (Lisa) Ito of Nevada; stepsons, Chad Frazier of Oregon and Sean Frazier of Alaska; siblings, Barbara Sur and Burt (Joyce) Ito of Oahu; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gavin Kihapiilani Kaimana
Gavin Kihapiilani Kaimana, 85, of Kawaihae died Sept. 24, at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Kapaau, he was a rebar ironworker for Associated Steel Co., member of Iron Workers Union Local 625 and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Services at a later date. Survived by wife, Delilah Kaimana of Kawaihae; daughter, Kolene (James) Ball of Honolulu; sons, Kolen (Laurie) Kaimana of Kahului, Maui and Gabriel Keliikuli of Kawaihae; brother-in-law, Archie Keliikuli of Kawaihae; brothers, David (Dynece) Fonner of Minnesota and Mike (Anita) Fonner of Missouri; sisters, Lani (Huey) Higgins, Lei Ragsdale, Kapua Fonner, and Holla (Bob) Bingham of Missouri; daughter-in-law, Kim Kaimana of Oahu; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stanley Ronald Szerlip Jr.
Stanley Ronald Szerlip Jr., 49, of Kailua-Kona died Sept. 23 at home. He was a commercial carpenter. Private services. Survived by mother, Mary Szerlip of Kailua-Kona; sister, Tanya (Eric Fleming) Szerlip of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Harrison “Jim” Ziegler
Dr. James Harrison “Jim” Ziegler, MD, 82, of Kailua-Kona died July 21 in Kailua-Kona. Born in Lawrence, Kan., he was a retired Kaiser Permanente family physician and partner in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, U.S. Navy Reserve medical officer, graduate of Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University Medical School, clarinetist in the West Hawaii County Band and Chamber Orchestra of Kona, and tenor in the Kona Community Chorus. Celebration of life Wednesday, Dec. 11 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. No flowers; memorial donations to the West Hawaii County Band. Survived by wife, Janet DeLong; children, Katherine Rhynard, Shira Ziegler and James C. Ziegler; two granddaughters. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Kinuyo “Kay” Sumi
Kinuyo “Kay” Sumi, 96, of Hilo died Oct. 5 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was previously employed by Ono Pac. Private services. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Karen (Harold) Matsuo and Anne (Henry) Miranda of Hilo; son-in-law, Delbert Cambra; 10 grandchildren; great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Ronald Yasuo Takamoto
Ronald Yasuo Takamoto, 79, of Captain Cook died Sept. 20 at home. Born in South Kona, he was a retired mason and U.S. Army veteran. Private services. Survived by brothers, Kenneth Takamoto of Pearl City, Oahu, and Jerry (Charlotte) Takamoto of Hilo; sisters, Mildred Yamashiro of Hilo and Dora Fukumoto of Kailua-Kona. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Steven Dudley Vega
Steven Dudley Vega, 58, of Hawi died Aug. 22 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Born in Kohala, he was a musician. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Keokea Beach Park. Survived by mother, Christine Vega; companion, Mark Pasco; brothers, Brian (Marlene) Vega of Hilo, Raymond (Cathy) Vega of Maui and Jason (Teresa) Vega of Kohala; nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Noreen Nobu Toriano
Noreen Nobu Toriano, 72, of Hilo died Oct. 13 at home. Born in Hilo, she was retired from Bank of Hawaii. Private services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Lloyd Toriano of Hilo; children, Jon Iga of Pahala, Kris Toriano and Travis (Kelsi) Toriano of Hilo; siblings, Daryl (Eryn) Iga of Waikoloa, Cheryl (Vince) Hoiby of Washington and Guy (Toni) Iga of Oregon; sister-in-law, Pearl Nakagawa of Honomu; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marjorie Mary Kelly
Marjorie Mary Kelly, 92, of Hilo died Oct. 11 died peacefully at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in Massachusetts, she was a retired teacher for Guam schools with a Master’s degree from Boston University. Services 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Homelani Memorial Park. . Casual attire. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Hilo United Community Church or Hospice of Kona. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, David and Kent S.; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Byers; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Dolores Malinao Cainglit
Dolores Malinao Cainglit, 88, of Hilo died Oct. 4 at home. Born in Honaunau, she was a retired waitress, cashier and hostess at Ken’s House of Pancakes, formerly worked at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, the former Hilo Hotel, the former Standard Drugs and the former Sky Chef, a lector at St. Joseph Catholic Church and a member of its choir. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 24) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorial Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by children, Ralph “Augie” (Joyce) Taroma of Hilo, Lolita “Lita” (Steven) Kubojiri of Hilo, Gloria (Frank) Maynard of Oxford, N.Y., Priscilla (Joseph) Schweiger of Bremerton, Wash., and Brenda (Jerry) Bidal of Olympia, Wash.; sister, Rosita Padayao of Mililani, Oahu; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.