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.
Ernest Henry Gilmour
Ernest Henry Gilmour, 88, of Cheney, Wash., died Dec. 14 in Kealakekua. Born in Adin, Calif., he was a professor emeritus of geology at Eastern Washington University. Services will be held in Cheney, Wash. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by daughters, Nadine (Mike) Madrazo of Boulder City, Nev., and Laura (Chris) Siegmund of Federal Way, Wash. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Madeline Gladys Jose
Madeline Gladys Jose, 88, of Holualoa Nov. 27 at Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua. Born in North Kona, she was a retired teacher at Holualoa Elementary. Visitation 9:30-10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Immaculate Conception in Holualoa. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial 11:30 a.m. at Kona Memorial Park. Survived by niece, Debbie (Chris) Anderson of Woodenville, Wash.; grandniece, Janelle Haslett of Holualoa; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Colleen “Zelda” Ann Nash
Colleen “Zelda” Ann Nash, 62, of Papaikou died Dec. 12 at home. Born in Parris Island, S.C., she was a civil engineer and co-owner of Atlas Engineering, former writer for Air Force Magazine and “Jeopardy!” champion in 2007. Private services. Survived by husband, Paul Nash of Papaikou. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Niki Naomi Tamashiro
Niki Naomi Tamashiro, 52, of Pahoa died Dec. 8 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. She was born in Hilo. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by mother, Ann Tamashiro and father, Larry Tamashiro; boyfriend, James Hopkins; daughters, Casey (Donovan Oliveira) McCandless, Shanice Amador and Haley (Lucas) Molit-McCandless; son, Caleb Tamashiro; brothers, Grayson (Lynniee) Tamashiro and Garrick Tamashiro; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Pauline Nora Amarino
Pauline Nora Amarino, 98, of Kailua-Kona died Oct. 17 at home. Born in Honolulu, she retired as postmaster of the Kailua-Kona Post Office and also served as postmaster of the Holualoa and Kealakekua post offices, was a member of the Kona Orchid Society, Daughters of Hawaii and Kona Historical Society. Private memorial service held, followed by burial at Kona Memorial Park. Survived by daughters, Linda Jean Meylink of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Paulette (Tim) Mulligan of Cameron Park, Calif.; son, James Michael Amarino of Kailua-Kona; sister, JoAnn Zembiec of Albuquerque, N.M.; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sukeji (Yama) Yamagata
Sukeji (Yama) Yamagata, 94, of Kealakekua died Nov. 28 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, he was a long time farmer, U.S. Army veteran, avid gardener, beverage truck driver, manager of the Coca-Cola Company, was a member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Mission, Asahi Kumiai, Makule softball team and loved playing softball and telling his stories. Private services at a later date. No koden. Survived by wife, Betty Toshiko Yamagata of Kealakekua; daughter, Adele Harrington of Kealakekua; sister, Kiyoko Kamimura of Honolulu; grandchildren, John Harrington of Kealakekua, Connor Harrington of Kealakekua; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Mildred Kotomi Hasegawa
Mildred Kotomi Hasegawa, 93, of Kapulena died Dec. 8 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honokohua, Maui, she was a homemaker and member of the Honokaa Hongwanji Mission and its Buddhist Women Association and Honokaa RSVP. Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Carol (Frank Kealoha) Hasegawa of Kapulena, Doreen (Eric) Takahashi of Waimea; two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Toshie Nishida
Toshie Nishida, 98, of Hilo died Oct. 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was retired from the former F.W. Woolworth in Hilo and a member of Kinoole Baptist Church. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Jean (Wayne) Souza of Hanapepe, Kauai, Lois (Mel Matsunaga) Nishida of Hilo; son-in-law, James Yoshida of Hilo; sister-in-law, Dorothy Horita of Hilo; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Octayvia Meiling Momilani Gager
Octayvia Meiling Momilani Gager, 54, of Volcano died Oct. 7 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker. Private services held. Survived by husband, Samuel Gager, Sr. of Volcano; sons, Manu Afong of Honolulu, Samuel Gager, Jr. of Volcano and Thomas Gager-Wellman of Glenwood; daughters, Ida May Gager of Mountain View and Lorraine Gager-Wellman of Hilo; brothers, Charles (Dannell) Afong and Kimo Mc Conkey of Arizona, Hartwell (Kathy) Afong of Waianae and Jeremiah (Bernadine Estrada) Afong of Kahaluu; sisters, Ahlin (Wade) Mansfield of Maile, Norene Afong, Dember (David) Lopes and Avis (Melvin) Pontes of Nanakuli; Shelly Evinger of Kalihi and Kira Akiona of Kapolei; sister-in-law, Sharon Afong of Nanakuli; seven grandchildren; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary of Hilo.
Dennis Pavao
Dennis Pavao, 83, of Keaau died Dec. 5 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired heavy equipment operator with the former Hilo Coast Processing Co. and later worked as a lot attendant at Wal-Mart, was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Respect for Life, East Hawaii Coalition for the Homeless, was a baseball and T-ball coach with HIPAL, and a former member of the ILWU Local 142. Visitation 10 a.m. to noon Friday (Dec. 27) at Dodo Mortuary chapel. Prayer service at noon. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Angelita V. Pavao of Keaau; daughters, Melissa Ann P. Macion of Waikoloa and Tanya Elizabeth (Jerred) Kua of Keaau; brother, Patrick (Eileen) Pavao of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Emma (Sakae) Omelau and Bernice Haa of Keaau; brother-in-law, Edward (Ruth) Sison of Hilo; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary of Hilo.