Obituaries: November 14, 2021
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 via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
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 via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Patricia Haleamau
Patricia Leilani Matsumoto Haleamau, 78, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 24, 2021, at her residence. Born Feb. 3, 1943, in Hilo, she worked at Kona Village Resort, Hilo Hattie’s Kona, was co-founder of Mama’s Cleaning Service and retired from Department of Transportation maintenance at Keahole Airport.
Private services will be held.
She is survived by husband, Solomon Haleamau of Kalaoa; daughters, Penny (Robert) Matsumoto Uyetake of Waimea, Korena (Mike) Pratt-Matsumoto of Las Vegas, and Bernadette (Kaleo) Haleamau; son, Solly (Ashley) Haleamau, all of Kalaoa; hanai sons, Kiwini (Yumiko) Uyetake, Kolomona Uyetake, Kaivin (Rhondalyn) Haleamau, Loa Haleamau, Timoteo Haleamau, Mataio Haleamau, and Wela Haleamau; hanai daughters, Heavenly Haleamau, Solynna Haleamau, Shylynn Haleamau, and Serenity Haleamau, all of Kalaoa; sister, Mona Kanakamaikai of Ocean View; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kevin Furuli
Kevin Furuli, 57, of Hilo, died Oct. 15, 2021 at his resident. Born May 27, 1964, in Shakopee, Minnesota, he was the self-proprietor of Kevin Furuli Diesel Mechanic and formerly employed as a diesel mechanic at local commercial quarry operations and trucking companies, a volunteer youth baseball coach for New Hope Angels, and youth girl’s softball coach for Hilo Cometsl,sevin served in the Imi Ola Cancer Support Ministry and was a member of New Hope Hilo Church and Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou.
Friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 for a celebration fo life walk-thru at New Hope Hilo; private service to follow. Livestream available at: https://boxcast.tv/view/celebration-of-life—kevin-furuli-e6u9s20zdwd3vo1jkkls.
He is survived by wife, Andrea Furuli of Hilo; daughter, Phoebe Furuli; sons, Ian Furuli and Jonah Furuli of Hilo; sisters, Paula (David) Thompson of Montrose, Minnesota, Cindy Furuli of Honolulu, Jennifer (Sean) Doyle of Bothell, Washington, and Hali (Bill) Costello of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; brother, Wayne Furuli, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; nephew, Jared Furuli (Chelsy) of Hilo; step-mother, Marlene Furuli, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kamren Flores
Kamren Anthony Seiji Flores, 19, of Hilo, died Oct. 17, 2021, in Virginia. Born JAN. 31, 2002, in Hilo, he was an active member of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Hilo Aquatics Swim Club, Young Life, New Hope Hilo, New Hope East Hawaii and Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Nov. 21 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by parents, Kirk and Colette Flores of Hilo; brothers, Kirk Flores-Oishi Jr. of Korea, and Keo Flores, Kye Flores and Kroy Flores, all of Hilo; sisters, Kirstie (Codey Tua’au) Flores-Oishi and Kambrie Flores, all of Hilo, and Kyra Flores-Reavis of Waikoloa; paternal grandmothers, Isabella Flores of Hilo and Lorraine Powell of Ainaloa; a niece, nephew and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Margarita Hopkins
Margarita “Dayday” Leyson Hopkins, 71, of Hilo, died Nov. 6, 2021. Born in Maasin, the Philippines, she was an economist and former director of the Department of Research and Development with the County of Hawaii, a lecturer in economics and agribusiness at UH-Hilo, champion for local farmers and entrepreneurs, leader in the state and local Visayan community, and an active member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Nov. 19 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for 9:30 a.m. Mass. Cremation will follow. Casual attire; no flowers.
She is survived by husband, Kevin Hopkins of Hilo; son, Shanon (Elenita) Hopkins of California; daughters, Leyson (David) Sakai of Hilo and Alyxandra (Daniel) Croft of Texas; sister, Magdalena (Gene) Rio of the Philippines; 11 grandchildren; and a niece and a nephew.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis Poai
Dennis “Mana” Michael Kaimana Poai, 43, of Hilo, died Oct. 28, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a landscaper.
Friends may call from 11:30 a.m to 2 p.m. Nov. 20 for a drive-thru service at 4 miles, Keaukaha.
He is survived by wife, Geiselle Poai of Hilo; sons, Issac (Shevelle Sakado) Perreira, Dennis Michael Kaimana Poai and Denzel Poai of Hilo; daughter, Breana Rae (Leelen Santos) Perreira of Hilo; parents, Lawrence and Susan Poai of Hilo; brothers, Casey Poai of Hilo, Ahoi Mayberry and Kanoe Mayberry of Honolulu; sister, Sharon Poai of Hilo; three grandsons; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rachel Kikumoto
Rachel Lahela Kikumoto, 84, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 30, 2021, at her residence. Born Jan. 30, 1937, in South Kona, she was a PBX operator for the former Kona Hilton Hotel and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was also a temple worker who served in the Kona, Hawaii Temple.
Private services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by sons, Lance (Leona Ponce) Kikumoto and Wesley (Susan) Kikumoto, all of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Winona Elarionoff of Kailua-Kona and Bernice Mitchell of Puuanahulu; brothers, Henry (Doris Matias) Takaki of Ocean View, Kenneth (Loretta Naboa) Takaki of Kailua-Kona, Johnny (Sherie) Kiaha of Honalo, Mervin (Carole) Takaki of Kainaliu, Elton (Brandy Acol) of Ocean View and Sylvester (Zena Beall) Takaki of Kawaihae; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Warren Pai
Warren Dale Makahi Pai, 62, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 23, 2021 at Kona Community Hospital. Born April 24, 1959, in Hilo, he worked for Cyanotech Corporation, was a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha Moku O Kona and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by companion, Kaui Kanuha of Kailua-Kona; sons, Makahi (Keisha) Pai of Papaikou, Walena (Meghan) Pai and Kahakui (Giani) Pai, all of Kailua-Kona; step-son, Nathan Oliva of Oahu; daughters, Simone Sester of Tucson, Arizona, and Ku’ulei (Lilly) Pai of Kailua-Kona; step-daughter, Monica Oliva of Florida; mother, Mabel Pai; brothers, Mahealani (Diana) Pai, Bradley (Kathleen) Pai, Brian (Marie) Pai, and Bruce (Suerte) Pai; great-grand-aunt, Annie Bailado, all of Kailua-Kona; 10 grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Antone Moiha
Antone Kanui Moiha, 83, of Hawi, died Sept. 25, 2021, at his residence. Born July 29, 1938, in Hana, Maui, he was a ditch tender for the Kohala Ditch Cooperative (Agricultural Water Services) in North Kohala, and a member of the Gospel of Salvation Church in Kohala.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Gospel of Salvation Church in Kohala for an 11 a.m. service. Burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery.
He is survived by wife, Lyanne Ako Moiha of Hawi; daughters, Antonette (John) Ganir of Pahoa, Lydia Moiha of Kohala and Leoni Moiha of Kohala; sister, Priscilla (Albert) Matsuoka of Waimea; 15 grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Casimero Baruela
Casimero “Ray” Bose Baruela, 96, of Hilo, died Sept. 17, 2021, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in San Juan, Abra, Philippines, he retired from Hamakua Sugar Co., was the proprietor of Ray’s Diner and a member of Haili Congregational Church.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Lehua Section. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Lourdes Bufil Baruela of Hilo; sons, Richard Baruela of Hilo and Bricen (Terri) Baruela of Paradise Park; daughters, Charlene (Freddy) Fiesta of Pepeekeo, Lorna Bufil of Hilo and Ida (Glenn) De Ponte of Paradise Park; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Katsuko Oyama
Katsuko “Kay” Oyama, 97, of Hilo died Oct. 17, 2020, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker, floral packer, seamstress and member of Taishoji Soto Mission, Kaumana Upper Kumiai and Kamana Senior Center.
Private services held.
She is survived by sons, Blaine Oyama of Hilo, Lance (Hyon Chang) Oyama of Honolulu; daughter, Rowena Oyama of Hilo; brothers, Tomo Uyeno and Kenneth Uyeno, both of Honolulu; sister, Hanako Yugawa of Hilo, Tatsue Walker of Vacaville, California, Amy Nelson of Hilo, and Jackie (Walter) Nakano of Las Vegas; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Emma-Jay Frias
Emma-Jay Anela Frias, 70, of Hilo and formerly of Kahalu’u, Oahu died Nov. 2, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kailua, Oahu, she was a retired community program director.
Services will be held at a later date on Oahu.
She is survived by daughters, Natalie (Leonard) Calvo of Maite, Guam, and Nikki Frias of Kahalu’u; sons, Thomas (Joalena) Frias of Kahalu’u, and Andrew (Chanel) Frias of Hakalau; 13 granchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Na’aupaka Leong-Bates
Na’aupaka Shilo Pali O’ Kawailoa Manu Chung Leong-Bates, 11 months, of Hilo, died Oct. 8, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. He was born Oct. 12, 2020, in Honolulu.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Nov. 19 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service; cremation to follow. Casual attire.
He is survived by mother, Yolanda Leong; father, Roger Bates; sisters, Millie Almony-Leong, Destiny Bates, Kiana Leong-Lloyd and Mokihana Leong-Lloyd; brother, Kaimana Almony-Leong; and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edric Money
Edric Jason Money, 56, of Pahoa, died Oct. 14, 2021, at his residence. Born in Campbell, California, he was a property manager, drummer and motorcycle enthusiast.
Private services.
He is survived by mother, Barbara (Bill Rogers) Lindquest of Albion, California; siblings, Steve Thiesen of Fort Bragg, California, Lia MacDonald of San Diego, Mona Mohr of Sonora, California, Lara Silva of Franklin, Tennessee, Constance Moss of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Adria Moss of Berkeley, California; former wife, Erika Money of Pahoa; seven step-brothers and step-sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.