Obituaries for Sunday, April 15, 2018
Fujiko Arinaga Mamura
Fujiko Arinaga Mamura
Fujiko Arinaga Mamura, 95, was called to her eternal resting place on March 4, 2018. She passed away peacefully at home in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Born on July 20, 1922 in Kealia, she was a retired secretary for special services in the state Department of Education Kauai District Office.
She was preceded in death by husband Misuku Mamura, son Owen Mamura, and brothers Naoto, Masashi and Clifford Arinaga.
She is survived by daughter Gail (Hernando) Rombaoa, son Nathan (Pranorm) Mamura, daughter-in-law Judy Mamura, brother Thomas Arinaga, sister Rachel Tamura, sister-in-law Esther Arinaga, grandchildren Naomi (Jason) Tanaka, Matthew (Nikki) Mamura, Melissa (Bill) LeFever, Maya Mamura, Marcie Mamura and Clare Mamura, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She will be forever remembered by her family and friends. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, April 21, at Lihue Hongwanji from 4 p.m.,where services will be at 5 p.m., followed by a reception.
Rosalina D. Ramos
Rosalina D. Ramos, 83, of Kapaa, passed away on March 8, 2018, at her home in Kapaa.
Born on Feb. 17, 1935, on Kauai, she was a retired nurse.
She was preceded in death by parents Segundo Ramos and Leonida Diana.
She is survived by daughters Valerie (Dennis) Nakamura of Kapaa, Vernalyn (Russell) Souza of Kapaa, Vickie (Randy) Holt of Las Vegas and Vimi (Chris) Trosin of New Hampshire, 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, brother Robert (Marie) Diana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services were held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Elvira Celestino Bisarra
Elvira Celestino Bisarra, 94, of Lihue, passed away on March 29, 2018 at Wilcox Medical Center.
Born on July 23, 1923 in the Philippines, she was a housewife.
She is survived by sons Eugenio (Patricia) Bisarra of Kekaha, Samuel (Emilia) Bisarra of Lihue, Joel (Lily) Bisarra of California, Conrado (Adela) Bisarra of the Philippines, Felix (Jodi) Bisarra of California and Ruben (Zosima) Bisarra of California, daughters Plebe B. Gamboa of the Philippines, Ermie B. Declaro of California, Luzviminda B. (Philp) Spense of Ohio, Edna B. (David) Barnes of Oregon, 42 grandchildren, sister Ester Casucay of the Philippines, and numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be on April 21, at Kekaha Methodist Church. Visitation with the family from 9 to 10:45 a.m., with services at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery.
The family suggests aloha attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kelly James Kunio Francisco
Kelly James Kunio Francisco, 46, of Waimea, passed away on March 9, 2018, in Waimea.
Born on June 14, 1971, he was a mason.
He is survived by sons Kelson-Jay Francisco of Waimea and Tayedyn Francisco of Kalaheo, daughters Karilynn “Keiko” Francisco of Waimea and Naomi Francisco of Waimea, brother Calvin (Sharon) Francisco of Wailua, sisters Colleen Francisco of Colorado and Faith (Darrell) Dabin of Hanamaulu, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on April 21 at Lydgate Beach Park small pavillion from 10 to 10:45 a.m., where a celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m.
The family suggests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Doreen Leina‘ala Nabeshima
Doreen Leina‘ala Nabeshima was born on Nov. 10, 1955. She passed surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, at Pali Momi Hospital in Honolulu.
She was preceded in death by her father, David Nabeshima, mother, Abbie Ka‘auwai Nabeshima, and brothers Vernon Ka‘auwai, Allen Ka‘auwai and Byron Nabeshima.
She is survived by children Jami Ann Nabeshima (Karl Cage), Kaimi (Lohelani) Nabeshima and Kanoa Nabeshima-Costa (Jerilyn Guyang), grandchildren Kassandra Cage, Jeremiah Cage, Kaimi Nabeshima Jr., Keegan Caldwell-Nabe- shima, Mathias Caldwell-Nabeshima and Keoni Aweau, siblings Mark Nabeshima, Douglas Nabeshima and Laurie Ann Avilla, and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 23, at Kapaa First Hawaiian Church. Visitation with family will begin at 1 p.m. with services to starting at 2 p.m. A pa‘ina will follow.
William Kaneakua
William Kaneakua, 83, of Lihue, passed away on March 26, 2018, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
He was born on March 25, 1935, on Kauai.
He was preceded in death by parents James and Louise Kaneakua, sister Eloise Oclit, brother Henry Kaneakua, and son Scot Kaneakua.
He is survived by wife Anita Bonilla Kaneakua, sons Tai (Courtney) Kaneakua, Kahana Kaneakua and Kaulana (Penny) Kaneakua, sisters Pauline Wise and Elma (Lani) Kaneakua, brother James Keoua (Beverly) Kaneakua, daughter-in-law Maile Shklov, grandchildren Chasen, Nisa, Pono, Taylor, Kewai, Ka‘inoa, Kahilaka and Mahie, great-grandchildren Taj, Arin, Cohen and Jax, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, April 21, at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary chapel in Koloa from 9 to 10:45 a.m., where services will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
The family suggests casual attire.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Capt. Clarence Henry Greff Jr.
Capt. Clarence Henry Greff Jr., 88, of McEwen, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on the evening of April 3, 2018 at home with his wife of 66 years, Patricia, by his side.
Born Dec. 5, 1929, he is survived by his wife Patricia Greff, children Clarence “Clancy” Greff III, Ann Bell, Juliana Myers, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with a sixth on the way.
He received his degree in geology at Tulane University.
His military career spanned decades, starting out in the Naval Reserves. He became an officer in the Korean War, went on to achieve the rank of captain, and was in command of four ships. He finished his military career teaching at the Naval War College.
After the Navy, he practiced as a clinical psychologist in San Diego.
He resided in Princeville from 1986 to 2001, and worked as a general manager at Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions prior to retiring to Tennessee.
His hobbies included stamp collecting, geology, bottle hunting and jewelry design. He loved his family and his dog Mia. He would light up a room with his witty personality and contagious smile.
He was his family’s anchor and moral compass.
He was put to his final rest in a military service at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on April 6, 2018.
Julia Shizuko Hashimoto Kunikiyo
Julia Shizuko Hashimoto Kunikiyo passed away on April 1, 2018.
She worked as a sales lady most of her life.
She was preceded in death by mother Kiyo Hashimoto, father Kakutaro Hashimoto, and husband Kenneth Kunikiyo.
She is survived by son Marvin Kunikiyo, who resides in Washington state.
Her celebration of life service will be held at the Lihue Hongwanji on May 5, at 5 p.m.
Viewing will be at 4 p.m.
Woodlawn Funeral Home Cemetery assisted with the arrangements.
Barbara Jean Godwin Meyer
Resident of Pleasanton, California
Jan. 1, 1932 Mar. 25, 2018
Barbara Jean Godwin Meyer passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 25, 2018. She was a shining example of friendship, loyalty, commitment and adventure for friends and family.
She was born in Washington, Iowa, and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Iowa State University (formerly Iowa State Teachers College), where she met her husband of 66 years, Kent Meyer. She was an elementary teacher for over 25 years, primarily at Viking Elementary School in Fresno, California, and in later years was very active on the Board of Directors at Kiahuna. She enjoyed traveling the world, playing lots of tennis with her friends at Kiahuna, and spending time with her family.
She is survived by husband Kent, children Nancy Meyer (Phil) Coplen and Gregory (Carol) Meyer, grandchildren Barbara (Russell) Taylor, John (Carrie) Coplen, Phillip (Megan) Coplen, Tom (Brittany) Coplen, Sarah (Josh) Scheel, Kristiana Meyer and Jackson Meyer, as well as 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Colleen (Bob) Robinson, Robert (Janet) Godwin and Fran Lonsdale, brother in-law Tom (Marlene) Meyer, and 14 nieces and nephews.
Her gentle spirit and kindness will be missed by all.
Per her wishes, the celebration of her life will be held at a later date on Kauai, where she had a home at Kiahuna for over 30 years and enjoyed spending afternoons watching the Poipu sunset.
Gerald J. ‘Gerry’ Espiritu
Gerald J. “Gerry” Espiritu, 65, passed away March 26, 2018, while visiting family in Koloa.
He was born on Nov. 7, 1952, in Lihue. He is survived by wife Evelyn Agina Espiritu, sons Kelvin (Jennifer) and Derek (Jennifer), hanai daughter Sichel (Jason) Cox, four grandchildren, parents Alfredo and Flora Espiritu, brothers Wilfred and Timothy (Robin), and sister Cynthia (Maurice) Gushiken.
A memorial service will be at Kauai Veterans Cemetery on Friday, May 4. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m., with food and fellowship to follow. The family suggests aloha attire.
Clayton Jay Punohu
Clayton Jay Punohu, 62, of Lihue, passed away on April 11, 2018, in Lihue.
He was born on March 25, 1956, in Lihue.
He was preceded in death by mother Elizabeth Kananiokahome Punohu, grandmother Elizabeth Kealoha Benjamin, hanai sister Darlene Kanei Mendes, and uncles Leo Socillio Jr. and William Mendonca.
He is survived by brothers Joey Mendonca of Lihue, Hal Mendonca of Lihue and Kalani (Leslie) Mendonca of Hanalei, sisters Christine Kanei Hoopes of Utah and Melanie Kanie Hodge of Arizona, and numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held in a private service.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
