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.
Kristofer Karl Hanneman
Kristofer Karl Hanneman, 73, of Pahoa died Dec. 5 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Oregon, he was an orchardist and arborist. No flowers. Memorial investment in your local and native food systems. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by son, Nathanael Hanneman; daughter, Josie Hanneman; sister, Julie Pettit; brother, Mark Hanneman. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
James “Kimo” Keaupuliwa Mahu Jr.
James “Kimo” Keaupuliwa Mahu Jr. 52, of Mountain View, formerly of Honolulu, died Nov. 26. Celebration of life 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, Waiuli (Leleiwi) Beach Park in Hilo. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by companion, Wendy-Lynn Medeiros of Mountain View; daughters, Jo-Anna Moniz and Sharvon Cruz; sons, James Mahu III Torres and Samson Mahu; sisters, Sharon (Chucky) Nunes, Jamelyn (Scotty) Orita and Janell (Bruce) Kuamo‘o of Hilo; brothers, Harold (Gwen) Mercado of Hilo and John (Jennifer) Mahu of Kunia, Oahu; nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Jean Viernes
Jean Viernes, 58, of Hilo died Dec. 12 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a human resources specialist for the Hawaii Fire Department and member of Immaculate Heart Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. Visitation 11 a.m.-noon Sunday, Jan. 5, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at noon. Cremation to follow. Survived by husband, Sherman Viernes of Hilo; daughter, Daysha Viernes of Hilo; sister, Mary (Alejandro) Abellera of Hilo; brother, Larry Suria of Pepeekeo; sisters-in-law, Lecia (Ed) Simer and Alia (DJ) Dick of Vermont; brothers-in-law, Allan (Jennifer) Viernes of Cornish, Maine, Sidney (Lynn) Viernes and Ethan (Brandi) Dick of Vermont; an uncle, cousins, nieces, nephews and a grandnephew. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Honor Ishida
Honor Ishida, 90, of Hilo died Oct. 25 at home. A retiree, she taught English at three universities, was an editor at an international law firm, an Episcopalian and enjoyed her family, walks, poetry, the New Yorker and newspapers. Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles, 1407 Kapiolani St. in Hilo. Survived by daughters, Catherine (Michael Connelley) Mie Ishida of Hilo and Yumiko (Eden Feuer) Anne Ishida of Phoenix. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Miguel K. Uu Jr.
Miguel K. Uu Jr., 82, of Waikane, Oahu, died Aug. 11 in Kailua-Kona. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday (Dec. 27) at Valley of the Temples Makai Chapel in Kaneohe, Oahu. Service at 10:30 a.m. Lunch to follow. Inurnment at later date at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Survived by sisters, Norma Kujiuji and Carol Campbell; son, Miguel K. Uu III; daughters, Rachael (Ashford) Alices and Ruth (Brandon) Nakasone; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Fujiko “Stella” Morita
Fujiko “Stella” Morita, 94, of Hilo, formerly of Honomu, died Nov. 17 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was state Department of Taxation office in Hilo. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by children, Dr. Aaron (Patricia) Morita, Dr. Naomi Morita and Russell (Clara) Morita; sisters-in-law, Michi Morita, Irene Morita, Candace Oyama and Amy Nakamura; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patricia Toshiko Matsuo
Patricia Toshiko Matsuo, 72, of Hilo died Nov. 25 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired teacher from Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School in Hilo, proprietress of the ABC Fun Preschool in Hilo and member of Hilo Meishoin Buddhist Temple, and Sons and Daughters of AJA Veterans. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Hilo Meishoin Buddhist Temple, 97 Olona St. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by son, Lealand Matsuo of Hilo; brother, Wayne (Carol) Tanaka of Kailua, Oahu; sister, Merle (Karl) Unoki of Hilo; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Janet) Matsuo and Harold (Karen) Matsuo of Hilo; a grandson; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Brenda Frances Wright
Brenda Frances Wright, 80, of Pahoa died Dec. 4 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Roanoke, Va., she was a homemaker, mother and member of the Church of Christ. No services at this time. Survived by husband, Gerald Wright of Pahoa; daughters, Stephanie (Peter) Ngirngotel of Pahoa and Melissa (Shawn) Ellison of Gatesville, Texas; sister, Patricia (Norman) Smith of Roanoke, Va.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a niece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Donald DeCosta
George Donald DeCosta, 87, of Volcano died Nov. 30 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a former Catholic priest at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha and U.S. Navy veteran. Celebration of life with music, entertainment and food noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Rd) in Volcano. call or email Joseph Camacho at (808) 756-0439 or joe.k.camacho@gmail.com by Jan. 12 to confirm your attendance. Condolences to: P.O. Box 706, Volcano, HI 96785. Survived by hanai sons, Samuel Yates of Bakersfield, Calif., and Joseph Camacho of Volcano; sister, Pamela Carter of Hilo; two nephews, two nieces, two grandnephews, a grandniece, and a great-grandniece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Diana Tolero Williams
Diana Tolero Williams, 81, of Keaau died Dec. 6 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a head school custodian in Indiana and member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by sons, Dennis (Julie) Williams of Texas, Todd (Angie) Williams of Arizona and Curt Williams of Louisiana; daughter, Dawn (Darrel) Goo of Hilo; brothers, Alexson (Theresa) Aurio, Clifford (Paula) Aurio and Marcie (Chris) Aurio of Honolulu; sister, Lynda (Richard) Kamai of Hilo; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.