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.
Leihuanani “Penny” Kepa‘a Luhiau
Leihuanani “Penny” Kepa‘a Luhiau, 64, of Hilo died Dec. 23 at Legacy Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was born in Hilo. No services. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Kuuipo “Ipo” Luhiau (Christopher “Junya” Subica Jr.) Subica of Washington and Leeann (Jhauntae Peahi) Ogata of Oahu; son, Riley (Leilani Wilson) Ogata of Hilo; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
William Pelekane Konanui Sr.
William Pelekane Konanui Sr., 75, of Pahoa died Dec. 4 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Papaikou, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Jas. W. Glover, self-employed mechanic and a U.S. Army Vietnam War era veteran. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by children, Carrie (Lloyd Tagalicod) Konanui, Wendal (Ronnie) Konanui and Helena (Levi) Waiwaiole) Konanui of Pahoa; sister, Myra Auna of Honokaa; nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fujie “Jean” Watanabe Fujimoto
Fujie “Jean” Watanabe Fujimoto, 94, of Honokaa died Dec. 9 at home. Born in Holualoa, she was a deli cook at KTA Super Stores in Waimea, worked at Hawaiian Holiday Macadamia Nut Factory and the former Harris Sanitary Laundry in Honokaa, member of ILWU Pension Club and former member of Honokaa Hongwanji Mission. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Scott (Ilima) Fujimoto and Wesley (Audrey) Fujimoto of Honokaa; sister, Harumi DeMello of Makakilo; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Charlie) Kitamura of Oregon; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marcelino Gano Lactaoen
Marcelino Gano Lactaoen, 84, of Keaau died Dec. 2 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Camilig, Tarlac, Philippines, he was a Laborer for Puna Certified Nursery. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Survived by wife, Juliana Lactaoen of Keaau; children, Pascual (Julie) Lactaoen, Lorna (Chris) Mateo, Joel (Michie Gay) Lactaoen and Roberto Lactaoen; nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shikimi Hayama
Shikimi Hayama, 96, of Honaunau died Dec. 6 at home. Born in Captain Cook, she was a coffee farmer and member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Honaunau Kumi. Private service. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sisters, Gail Maruyama of Honolulu and Jane Iha of Captain Cook; daughter-in-law, Claire Hayama of Honaunau; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mathea Annabelle Doyle
Mathea Annabelle Doyle, 95, of Pahala died Dec. 11 at home. Formerly of Anchorage, Alaska, she was a Piper Super Cub pilot and instrument flight instructor, and member of the Lions Club, Rotary and Toastmasters. Celebration of life at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by sons, Chuck, Bob (Karen) and Mike (Nancy); daughter, Mathea Lynne (Jonathan Zimmerman); three grandsons and four great-grandsons. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Timothy Frank Garcia
Timothy Frank Garcia, 62, of Ninole died Dec. 13 at Hakalau on his job site while working for Island Grown LLC. Born in Oakland, Calif., he was a superintendent for BCCI Construction in California and attended Christ Lutheran Church in Hilo. Private services. Survived by wife, Yang Darling; children, Chris Garcia, Kimberly Gundy, Adeve Cha, Christina Solis, Vincent Solis, Janaveve Solis and Kaitlynne Darling; siblings, Francesca Johnson, Delia Fairwell, Augustine Garcia and Rebecca Ayala; five grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gwen Genevieve Leinaala Hoopai
Gwen Genevieve Leinaala Hoopai, of Hawi died Dec. 20 at home. Born in North Kohala, she was a retired farm hand. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Puu O Kumao Ranch, 54-1596 Kohala Mountain Rd. in Hawi. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by sons, James “Kimo” (Lehua) Hoopai Jr. of Waimea and Bernard (Chona) Hoopai of Kohala; sisters, Eleanor Kapiolani Kahuli of Nanakuli, Oahu, and Yolanda Ululani (Greg) Schafnitz of Washington; seven grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Colleen Marie Gold
Colleen Marie Gold, 76, of Honokaa died Dec. 17 at home. Born in Michigan, she was a homemaker. Survived by husband, Larry Vidlak of Honokaa; brothers, Tad Sadilek of Lansing, Mich.; sister, Chris Dixon of Suttons Bay, Mich. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
John P Stanley III
John P Stanley III, 76 of Keaau died Dec. 20 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in New Haven, Conn., he worked in quality control at U.S. Surgical and he was a retired firefighter. Survived by wife, Helen E Stanley of Keauu; son, John (Amber) P. Stanley IV of Honolulu; daughter, Susan (Andrew) Stanley-Martinelli of Southington, Conn.; sisters, Linda Stanley and Jean Stanley-Dessureau of East Haven, Conn.; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Barbara Jean Aguinaldo Bidal
Barbara Jean Aguinaldo Bidal, 79 of Kurtistown died Nov. 21 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Pahala, she was a 1964 graduate of Ka‘u High School, former employee of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co. and member of Hilo Church of God. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery, New Section. Aloha attire. Survived by daughters, Donna (Thomas Soares) Gushiken and Audrey (David Luiz) Bidal; sons, Don Bidal, Jerry (Brenda) Bidal and Melvin Bidal; sisters, Linda (Terry) Roberts, Rose Camero, Julie Fujioka, Christine (Tony) Page and Juanita Valeros; brothers, Adriano (Ida) Aguinaldo, Melvin Aguinaldo, Francis (Lani) Aguinaldo and Joseph Aguinaldo; sisters-in-law, Felisa Hanohano of Pahoa, Francine Bidal of Oahu and Feliciana Carbonero of Kurtistown; brother-in-law, Leonardo Bidal of Oahu; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Emiko Mori Watanabe
Emiko Mori Watanabe, 93, of Hilo died Nov. 1 at home. Born in Port Allen, Kauai, she was a homemaker and member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by children, Cora (Richard) Nitta of Pearl City, Oahu, Brian (Janice) Watanabe of Hilo and Ann (Andrew) Kikuta of Hilo; sister, May (Spencer) Chun of Los Angeles; brother, Stanley Mori of St. Joseph, Mo.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard “Kalani” Coito
Howard “Kalani” Coito, 77, of Waikoloa died Dec. 21 at home. Born in Honolulu, he worked in Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian as a beach boy then finished his career as the head beach concierge at the Fairmont Orchid in Mauna Lani, served in the U.S. Navy, and was known as “Tutu Man” to all his furry friends. Services at noon with lunch to follow on Sunday (Jan. 5) at Mana Christian Ohana, 67-1182 Lindsey Road, Waimea. Survived by wife, Diann Keliikoa of Waikoloa; sister, Donna (Larry) Beckham of Washington; brother, Calvin Coito of Waikoloa; nieces, Heather Fanara and Melanie Beckham; nephew, Isaiah Beckham and grand nieces and nephew and and many friends. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Ray Jackson
Ray Jackson, 81, of Kona died at home on Dec. 13. Born in Oakland, Calif., he was a U.S. Army veteran. Survived by wife, Joan; daughter Gina (Eric) Nelson of Bremerton, Wash.; brother, Douglas Jackson of California; nephews, James (Michele) Jackson of California and Randy (Hannah) Lara of Florida; and niece, Wendee Marsh of Florida. Donations may be made to North Hawaii Hospice. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
