Obituaries for Sunday, October 23, 2011

Dottie Liesse

Dottie Liesse died Oct. 11, 2011, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at the age of 96. She has been a resident of Kaua‘i and the Regency at Puakea for the past three years. A graduate from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Albuquerque, N.M., she worked in various hospitals, clinics and military clinics for over 50 years as an R.N.

She married her high school sweetheart O.W. and resided in Ventura County, Calif.

She is survived by her son, James Liesse along with wife, Lynda, their daughter, Jayden; husband, Kevin Callahan; great-grandchildren, Corah, Caymen and Cassie, all of Anahola; grandson, Damon Liesse and wife, Sarah; and great-grandchildren, Dalton and Sophia of Washington; daughter, Kaye Cummings of Kapa‘a; and grandsons, Scott and Christopher Cummings of California.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Liesse family with arrangements.

Amelia Mendonca

Amelia “Emily” Mendonca of Port Allen, Kaua‘i, died Oct. 4, 2011, at Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea at the age of 101. Born on Dec. 19, 1909, in Kilauea, she was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Mendonca; son, Richard Mendonca; brothers, Manuel and Domingo Aguiar; sisters, Theresa Clement and Mary Cambra.

She is survived by Josephine Banner of Texas; Diana (Steven) Duarte; Alica (Joquin) Fejarang; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Visitation is at 9 a.m. with Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Arrangements were made by Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary.

Francisca Aqui

Francisca Llanos Aqui died on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, following a six-month battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family at the age of 92. Born on March 9, 1919, in Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines to Maximo and Patricia Llanos, she retired as a state employee.

The family immigrated to Kaua‘i in 1923. She graduated from the 8th Grade at Kapa‘a School. On March 6, 1935 she married Lamberto Paculba Aqui. She was employed at Mahelona Hospital and was a parishioner of St. Catherine’s Parish as well as a charter member of The Filipino Catholic Club.

She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, “Dr. Bert” of Kealia, her brothers, Ezekiel and Floro Llanos of the Philippines and her children, Angel and Christopher Aqui of Kapa‘a.

She is survived by her brothers, Cristituto Llanos of Waipahu; Thomas Dumagan and Antonio Dumagan both of Okinawa; her children, Lambert Aqui Jr. of Kapa‘a, Patricia (Dr. Lonnie) Tiner of Twentynine Palms, Calif., and Corinne (Blair) Peterson of West Linn, Ore.; grandchildren, Mark (Christine) Aqui of Honolulu, Dr. Christopher (Adriana) Tiner of Pasadena, Calif., Sandra (Edward) Obrero of Koloa, David Tiner of Rock Hill, S.C., Joseph Tiner of Kane‘ohe, Deborah (Kevin) Robell of Kula, Michelle (Brian) Lopes of Lihu‘e and Katrina Peterson of Cambridge, Mass.; great-grandchildren, Eric Aqui, Ailana Aqui, Makana Aqui, Keliana Tiner, Katya Tiner, Isabella Tiner, Brent Obrero, Tia Obrero, Kayli Obrero, Kyle Tiner, Ashley Tiner, Alana Robell, Keala Robell, Tyler Lopes, Jordan Lee, Brad Lopes, Kapono Lopes, Kaina Christian, Kamaile Lopes, Kelani Griep, Nainoa Lopes; great-great-grandchildren, Noeau Aqui, Kaya Caycayon-Obrero, Kaz Caycayon-Obrero and several nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 29, at St. Catherine’s Church. Viewing begins at 8:30, eulogies at 10:10, funeral Mass at 10:30, and burial at 11:30 in St. Catherine’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to St. Catherine’s Church Outreach, 5021 Kawaihau Rd., Kapa‘a, HI 96746. Aloha attire is suggested.

Solomon Ono Sr.

 Solomon Paleka Ono Sr., formerly of Kaua‘i, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Las Vegas at the age of 88. He was born on Dec. 24, 1922, the son of Alice and Joseph Akita and the hanai son of Paleka and Keahipio‘ole Ono of Kekaha.

He was an avid fisherman, bird hunter, golfer, and he was also among the first pilots to fly for Hawaiian Airlines. He devoted most of his later life to Bible study and spreading the Word of God. A passionate evangelist, he was an active member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association, evangelizing throughout the United States, and establishing churches in South Carolina and Honolulu. He dedicated his writings on how to train for The Army of God to his wife and children, who he said prayed and believed for his salvation for many years, though seemingly hopeless, into the most fulfilling way of life.

He was preceded in death by his former wife Mary Mactagone Ono; two brothers, Joseph Akita and Herman Akita; and sister Edith Davis.

He is survived by his wife Janice Brewer; brothers Lindy Akita and Norman Akita; sisters Eleanor Mihal and Alice Zenger; his children, Patricia (Clayton) Nakama, Yvonne (Wilfred) Gonsalves, Yvette (Hartwell) Blake, Rose (Ric) Shaw, Marieanne (Robert) Ferreira, Solomon (Veronica) Ono Jr., James B. Ononui and Lani Ononui; 17 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial graveside services and burial was on Oct.  21 at The Palm Mortuary and Cemetery in Las Vegas.

Donald Murakoshi

Donald Masao Murakoshi of Lihu‘e, formerly of Kailua, O‘ahu, died Oct. 14, 2011, at The Regency at Puakea at age 99. Born in Wahiawa, O‘ahu on May 13, 1912, he retired as a teacher with the Department of Education.

He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Robert, Harry and Natsuko.

He is survived by his wife, Mabel Murakoshi of Lihu‘e; son, Michael (Billie Rae) Murakoshi; daughter, Kathy (Michael) Okada of Kailua, O‘ahu; sisters, Grace Nakagawa and Noriko Murakoshi, both of Wahiawa; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Hosoi Garden Mortuary with visitation from 5 p.m. and services at 6 p.m.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Murakoshi family with arrangements.