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.
Martha Lululani Ahuna
Martha Lululani Ahuna, 80, of Keaukaha died Dec. 3 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a heavy equipment operator for the county Department of Public Works and member of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church and Hula Halau O Kawananakoa. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 17) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service at 10 a.m. Committal service to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Walter C. Ahuna Sr. of Keaukaha; daughter, Lurl (Arnold) Agbayani of Panaewa; sons, Walter “Bully” Ahuna Jr. and Dan (Rena) Ahuna of Keaukaha; brother, Frank (Dayle) Santos of Pahoa; sisters, Ida (Jesus) Perez of Keaukaha, Teresa Ignacio of Laupahoehoe, Bernie (Blink) Soares of Papaikou, Etta NacNac of Honokaa, Lurline Milare of Pahoa and Marie (Ronald) Coleman of Texas; sisters-in-law, Luella Aina of Panaewa and Wanda (Pat) Cardines of Keaukaha; brother-in-law, George “Chiefy” Ahuna of Oregon; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bonnie Rosa
Bonnie Rosa, 69, of Hilo died Nov. 19 at home. Born and raised in Honomu, she was a former maintenance worker. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Tina (Chad) Maldonado and Wendy (Jason) Maldonado of Hilo; sons, Michael Maldonado and Gordon Maldondo of Hilo; sisters, Louise May Olivera of Pepeekeo, Linda Mae (Herbert) Victorino of Hilo and Faye Miranda of Kona; brothers, Wayne Roy (Sandy) Demotta of Kalapana and Robert (Mary) DeMotta of Maku‘u; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Deborah Lynn Swan
Deborah Lynn Swan 69, of Keaau died Dec. 2 at home. Born in Queens, New York City, she was a retired registered nurse. No services. Survived by husband, James “Craig” Swan of Keaau; brother, Bradd (Rhonda) Milstone of Arizona; sisters, Dawn (Donny) Stephens, Karin (Donny) Lutes, Pam Ransom and Stephanie Milstone of Arizona. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Herbert “Tank”
Dean Rivera
Herbert “Tank” Dean Rivera, 66, of Kealakekua died Nov. 26 at Kona Community Hospital. He was the head of security at Konawaena High School, a bouncer at the former Angie’s Bar and bartender at Korner Pocket. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by wife, Angela Vensor of Kealakekua; brothers, William (Rozlyn) Kunipo of Los Angeles and Kenneth Rivera of Hilo; sisters, Irene (Charles) Luta of Ocean View, Carmen (Frank) Silva Jr., of Kealakehe and Gwendolyn (Benjamin) Acasio of Ocean View; half-sister, Felita Rivera of Honolulu; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bert Cass Macanas
Bert Cass Macanas, 60, of Keaau died Oct. 18 in Las Vegas. He was born in Kohala. Visitation 8-9 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass at 9 a.m. Fellowship 1 p.m. at AJA Hall in Hilo. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by spouse, Kathy Kataoka; children, Cheavis Kataoka of Hilo, Tiffany Kahooilihala of Oahu, Porscha (John) Jumalon, Krystal (Sheldon Mattos) Macanas of Hilo and Tiare (Harold Pinnow) Macanas of Las Vegas; father, Rudy Macanas; brothers, Ross (Leeann Kapahu) Macanas and Cary (Leila) Macanas; sisters, Monica (Donnley Koga) Macanas of Hilo and Ingrid (Brad Jeremiah) Mundon of Las Vegas; 11 grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Paulette
Pilialoha Baniaga
Paulette Pilialoha Baniaga, 69, of Honalo died July 24 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Kealakekua, she was a retired cashier at Kona Community Hospital Business Office, housekeeper at Kanaloa Resort and bus driver for Laupahoehoe School. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Honaunau Rodeo. Celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Lunch and fellowship to follow. Casual attire. Survived by partner, Stephen Tanaka of Honalo; sons, Valentine (Cassandra Pai) Wessel III of Honaunau, Richard (Lyn) Wessel of Kapolei, Oahu, Tarey Chris Wessel of Kailua-Kona and Donovan Sauvageau of Honalo; daughter, Dawnalyn (Clifford) Chung-Hoon Palau; stepdaughter, Tess (Bobby) Davis of Arizona; brothers, Ronald (Cliff-Ann) Baniaga of Ocean View, Hansel (Sheila) Baniaga and Michael (Margaret) Baniaga of Opihihale; sisters, Rita (Earl) Carvalho of Laupahoehoe, Valerie (Malco Magana) Winkler of Honaunau and Nancy-Anna (Lito) Bautista of Opihihale; 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Oahu Mortuary and Crematory. Bernadette “Bernie” Puaala Kaukini
Bernadette “Bernie” Puaala Kaukini, 68, of Hilo died Dec. 3 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, Hawaii. She was a 1975 graduate of Hilo High School, former employee of McDonald’s and KFC and member and parking lot supervisor for Connect Point Church. Visitation 9-9:30 a.m. Saturday, (Dec. 21) at Connect Point Church, 168 Holomua St. in Hilo. Funeral service at 9:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by son, Daniel Kaukini of Hilo; stepbrother, Clarence McColgan of Georgia; brother, Abraham Kaukini of Hilo; sisters, Shirley Namauu and Lucy Kaukini of Hilo; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
