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.
Yoshiko “Betty” Kawashima
Yoshiko “Betty” Kawashima, 95, of Honokaa died March 9 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Kukuihaele, she was retired from the former Honokaa Hospital, worked for the Department of Education and was a member of Hamakua Jodo Mission, University Extension and Honokaa Senior Citizens. Private services held. Survived by husband, Sueichi Kawashima of Honokaa; sons, Irving Kawashima and Nathan (Ellen) Kawashima; daughter, Lynette (Sheldon) Takajo; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Tamotsu Nagamoto
Edward Tamotsu Nagamoto, 84, of Papaikou died April 7 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Olaa, he was a retired assistant plant manager for Floral Resources Hawaii, worked for the former Hawaiian Heart, member of Kaumana Drive Baptist Church and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Private services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Betsy Nagamoto of Papaikou; son, Todd Nagamoto of Papaikou; sister, May Yaeger of Hilo; sister-in-law, Patsyann Kunishi of Papaikou; brother-in-law, Kenneth Kuroiwa of Honolulu; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis William Swain Sr.
Dennis William Swain Sr., 73, of Hilo died Feb. 8. Born in Hilo, he was a machinist and U.S. Army National Guard Reserves veteran. No services. Survived by wife, Michaelene L. Swain; sons, Brandon (Jaelene) Ka‘a‘a-Swain of Oahu and Dennis W (Brenda) Swain Jr. of Maui; daughter, Chelcee J (Milton) Subica of Alaska; stepchildren, Jeremy M. (Isabella) Hammons of Maryland, Mark A. (Mandy) Hammons and Wendy L. Hammons of Washington; stepsister, Laverne (Pete) Costa; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Kiyoshi Mason Miyatake
Kiyoshi Mason Miyatake, 60, of Pahoa died April 13 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Kealakekua, he was a man of many talents. No services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by mother, Tokimi Miyatake of Pahoa; brother, K. Mitchell Miyatake of Pahoa; uncles, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Darrell Lee Lehmann
Darrell Lee Lehmann, 72, of Kailua-Kona died April 21 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Idaho, he was a metal fabrication business owner, farmer and president of Wehilani Estates. Private services. Survived by his wife, Kathleen Lehmann of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Amanda Nemitz of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Dolly Goolsby of Sacramento, Calif., and Kay Lehmann of Idaho; brother, Lee Lehmann of Washington; a grandson; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elaine Leiko Higashi
Elaine Leiko Higashi, 87, of Pahala died March 22 at home. Born in Pahala, she was retired from Volcano House and a member of River of Life Assembly of God-Pahala. Private services held. Survived by husband, Akira Higashi of Pahala; children, Kerwin (Lisa) Buyuan and Lynnette (Ross) Aki of Hilo, Shane (Melanie) Higashi of Kona, Chuck Higashi of Pahala; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jane Johnston
Jane Johnston, 75, of Holualoa, died April 29 at home. She lived in the Kailua-Kona area over 40 years and owned several businesses including a restaurant supply company, Crazy Mary’s and Pupuli Pizza Parlor in Captain Cook and retired as a manager at Costco where she worked 25 years. Survived by brother, James (Terri) Johnston of Kona, and niece, Rosemarie, of Kona, along with close friends. Private scattering of ashes at a later date. No flowers. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Kona. Arrangements by Cremation Services Of West Hawaii.
Abel Kahele Abrojina Sr.
Abel Kahele Abrojina Sr., 60, of Ocean View died April 15 at home. He was born in Kealakekua. Services at a later date. Survived by daughter, Lynelle (Kaweka Cho) Abrojina; son, Abel (Sheela) Abrojina Jr.; companion, Julie Newcomb; siblings, Gary (Linda) Abrojena, Daniel (Lydia) Abrojena, Mario Abrojena, Irene (Olin) Caban, Danford Abrojena and Ernest (Darling) Abrojena; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandson; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lillian “Lilly” Miki
Lillian “Lilly” Miki, 95, of Hilo, formerly of Pahala, died March 16 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired clerk typist for Ka‘u Hospital and member of Pahala Hongwanji Mission. Private services held. Survived by brother, Tadashi (Ruth) Nakashima of Hilo; sister, Hatsue Kamimura of Hilo; brother-in-law, Ernest (Kay) Miki of Honolulu; sisters-in-law, Tsukimi (Mitsuo) Murashige of Honolulu, Michie Kuwaye of Hilo and Carol (Donald) Fujii of Wailuku, Maui; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jerry Malulani Magoon
Jerry Malulani Magoon, 91, of Kailua-Kona died April 20 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in San Francisco, he was a financial customer service representative, supporter of HI-PAL, advocate for the suicide hotline and member of Hospice of Kona Board of Directors. Services at a later date. survived by daughters, Wendy Magoon of Hilo, Juliette (Paul) Magoon-Costa and Stephanie (William) Magoon-Dwyer of Kailua-Kona; nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Muriel “Grandma Max” Maxine Jenkins
Muriel “Grandma Max” Maxine Jenkins, 101, of Hawaiian Paradise Park died April 21 at home. Born in St. Louis, she was a retired bookkeeper, member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Seniors of Paradise and Rosie The Riveter. Private services held April 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa. Survived by grandchildren, Patrick (Jade) Jenkins, Marie (Tim) Rogers, Jesse Jenkins, Meriel Ramirez and Yvonne Jenkins Valdovinos; nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mary Jong Wan Noh
Mary Jong Wan Noh, 87, of Pepeekeo, died April 15 at home. Born in Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, she was an elementary school teacher in South Korea and retired as a bougainvillea nursery owner and farmer in East Honolulu’s Kamilonui Valley. Celebration of Life 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Hawaii Kai Golf Course, 8902 Kalanianaole Hwy. in Honolulu. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by son, Steven Noh of Idaho; daughter, Julia (John Jr.) Chinen of Pepeekeo; brother, Chong Man (Hi Bang) Kim of Washington state; sisters, Jane Jong Sook (David) Lee and Susan Jong Shim (Edwin) Lee of Washington state; three granddaughters; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ruth “Rowe” Bridgett
Ruth “Rowe” Bridgett, 84, of Hilo died April 15. Born a preacher’s daughter in Estill County, Ky., she was a a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and devout Bible reader until the end of her life. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
