Daemerson K. Awong Jr.
Daemerson K. Awong Jr., 40, of Volcano died Jan. 30 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a biological science technician for Research Co-op University of Hawaii and worked at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday (March 22) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Survived by son, Anuenuekaupo K. Awong; partner, Kodie Costa; parents, Daemerson “Pooch” K. and Keola Awong; brothers, Dana (Katie) Pila and Ki‘eki‘e (Nicole) Awong; sister, Desiree (Mailani Davis) Awong; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sumiko “Mats” Bento
Sumiko “Mats” Bento, 97, of Hilo died Feb. 20 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired registered nurse. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Eulogy and tribute at 9:30 a.m. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Urn burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Online condolences: dodomortuary.com. Survived by daughters, Jeanette Bento and Laura-Lee (Raymond) Rodrigues of Hilo; sister-in-law, Janet Araujo of Keaau; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews and grandnieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Raymond “Joji” Kamei
Raymond “Joji” Kamei, 88, of Pahala died Jan. 20. Born in Hilo, he was the manager of Kamei Garage and a member of Pahala Hongwanji. Services 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, at Ballard Family Mortuary in Hilo. Survived by brother, Clifford Kamei Sr. of Pahala; daughter-in-law, Tricia Kamei of Honolulu; sisters-in-law, Edith Kamei of Honolulu, Judy (Bob) Koyanagi of Hil and Veronice Dameg of Pahoa; a granddaughter and grandson; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Marcelino “Celino”
Acain Ganancial
Marcelino “Celino” Acain Ganancial, 95, of Hilo died March 9 at home. Born in Tabuyoc, Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines, he was retired from macadamia nut sanitation at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co. and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the San Lorenzo Choir. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Tuesday (March 18) Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Wake service at 6 p.m. Visitation again 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday (March 19) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Survived by wife, Jovita Ganancial; daughters, Linda (Dani Sr.) Villena, Myrna (Joseph) Caro, Elflida (Jose) Luis, Josephine Ganancial, Ligaya (Eduard) Fernandez and Filipina (Robert) Andres of Hilo, Mary Ann (Gary) Whiseant of Colorado; sons, Anthony (Jeffreda) Ganancial of Hilo and Rene Jun (Ariane) Ganancial of California; brother, Daniel Acain Ganancial of Philippines; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fusae Nakamura Maruyama
Fusae Nakamura Maruyama, 99, of Volcano died March 5 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired truck farmer and member of Hilo Farm Bureau. Private services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Hawaii Care Choices. Survived by children, Warren Maruyama of Volcano, Lorna Festa of Kailua, Oahu, Wendell Maruyama of New York City; hanai daughter, Karen Nogami of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Victoria Nakamura of Orinda, Calif., and Gail Maruyama of Honolulu; a hanai granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Doris Mitsuye Miyashiro
Doris Mitsuye Miyashiro, 91, of Kailua-Kona died March 12 in Kailua-Kona. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired waitress at Hotel Honokaa Club, where she also baked pies for the hotel restaurant, and member of Aloha Baptist Church, where she assisted with Sunday School and served as the church secretary, photographer and hospitality committee member. Private services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by son, Dayton (Robin) Miyashiro of Connecticut; daughters, Faith (David) Yamakawa of Kailua-Kona, Debra (Takahiko) Tanaka of Honolulu and Pamela (Dan) Ohigashi of Kailua-Kona; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a niece, a grandniece and a great-grandnephew and three great-grandnieces. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Denyse Lynn Temple
Denyse Lynn Temple, 81, of Pahoa died March 5 at home. Born in Aurora, Ill., she was an office manager and the owner, editor and publisher of the former Puna News. Private services. Survived by son, Kenneth Temple of Pahoa; brothers, Don (Dee) Beasley of Chicago and Kim (Robin) Beasley of Honolulu; a grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
