• Maryann Puaokalani • John Taboniar • Kanao Asaoka • Alethea Fernandes • Christopher Cipriani Maryann Puaokalani Maryann (Romero) Puaokalani died peacefully at Orchard Park nursing home in Tacoma, Wash., on April 7, 2012. She was 67 years old. She
• Maryann Puaokalani • John Taboniar • Kanao Asaoka • Alethea Fernandes • Christopher Cipriani
Maryann Puaokalani
Maryann (Romero) Puaokalani died peacefully at Orchard Park nursing home in Tacoma, Wash., on April 7, 2012. She was 67 years old. She grew up in Tacoma, along with her two brothers and five sisters. After high school, Maryann embarked on a grand adventure and moved to Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, where she lived for nearly 18 years before returning to Tacoma. She was an avid Seattle Mariners baseball fan and loved listening to Hawaiian music. Maryann brought smiles to everyone she met and was always a social butterfly at the retirement home where she lived. The highlights of her life were her grandchildren: Devan, Malia, Makenzee and Madelyn.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Keoki Puaokalani, and brother, Ron Fijalka. Family members include her daughters, Lisa (Scott) Torve and Wendy (Darrell) Braaten; her son, Jesse (Jessica) Puaokalani; and grandchildren, Devan and Malia Braaten and Makenzee and Madelyn Puaokalani. Also included are her sisters, Donna Garcia, Carolyn (Art) Folden, Pam (Dave) Johnson, Marilyn (Bob) Beale, Andrea (Joe) Alalem; sister-in-law, Joan Fijalka; and her brother, Jim (Karen) Fijalka; plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her final resting place will be with Keoki at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
John Taboniar
John Taboniar, 74, of Hilo, Hawai‘i, died on April 3, 2012, at home. Born on Oct. 16, 1937, in Wahiawa, Hawai‘i, he was a retired Meteorological Technician for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — National Weather Service.
He was a graduate of St. Louis High School on O‘ahu and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and St. Theresa Church in Kekaha, Kaua‘i. John served in the U.S. Air Force, he was an avid softball player and enjoyed singing in the St. Joseph and St. Theresa Church choirs.
He was preceded in death by his father, Julio Taboniar; mother, Mary Rodrigues; brother, Herbert Callejo; and grandson, Corbin Jon Kaimana Reynolds.
He is survived by his wife, Violet Ann Taboniar of Hilo; sons, Michael Alan (Naomi) Taboniar of Kaua‘i, David Anthony (Rose) Taboniar of Kaua‘i, Matthew Jon (Marah) Taboniar of Kaua‘i; daughter, Jonnie Anne (Daynes) Reynolds of Kaua‘i; brothers, Benny (Juanita) Callejo of Kaua‘i and Joseph (Julie) Taboniar of Kaua‘i; sisters, Ruby Rivera of Kaua‘i, Betsy (Edwin) Shinagawa of Kaua‘i, Joanna Castillo of Kaua‘i, Julie (Fred) Patricio of Kaua‘i, Salina (Vincent) Sonoda of Kaua‘i; sister-in-law,Mae Callejo of Kaua‘i; eight grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation on Hawai‘i Island will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday, April 27, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Eulogy at 9:45 a.m. Memorial Mass at 10 a.m.
Visitation on Kaua‘i will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at St. Theresa Church, Kekaha, Kaua‘i. Eulogy at 10:45 a.m. Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Casual attire.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc., Hilo branch.
Kanao Asaoka
Kanao Asaoka of Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i, died on April 6, 2012, at the age of 88 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born on Sept. 28, 1923, in Lihu‘e, he was a veterans counselor for the State of Hawai‘i Veterans Office.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sueyoshi and Tochiko Asaoka, and his wife, Patsy Asaoka.
He is survived by daughters, Trudy (David) Merchant, Iris (Clayton) Faria, Ardis (Michael) Ueki; a son, Mark Asaoka; a sister, Mitsuko Niwa; 11 grandchildren and11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 28, at Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission, with service at 4 p.m. Family suggest flowers be omitted and casual attire.
Arrangements by Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary, Koloa.
Alethea Fernandes
Alethea Hoakalei Crowell Fernandes, “Grams,” died at her home in Lihu‘e on April 12, 2012, at the age of 76. She was born in Waimea, Kaua‘i, on Aug. 8, 1935, and was a retired special education teacher.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James S. Fernandes, and her parents, Edwin and Keikilani Crowell.
She is survived by her sons, Christopher (Marty) Fernandes and Donald Fernandes; her daughters, Julie (Darryl) Chong and Penny Kawelu Fernandes; five grandchildren, Kainoa (Kady) Fernandes, Kahoku (Jennifer) Simeona, Evan Simeona, Kyrie Simeona and Cherisse (David) Medeiros; four great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Fukushima-Fernandes, Hayden Domingcil, Kylee Simeona and Lylah Fernandes; her brothers, William (Leimomi) Crowell and Oliver (Sally) Crowell; and nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, at Koloa Borthwick Mortuary, with visitation at 9 a.m. Refreshments to follow. Arrangements for the scattering of her ashes will be announced at the service.
Christopher Cipriani
Christopher John Cipriani of Kalaheo died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on March 28, 2012, at the age of 44. He was born in Massachusetts on March 4, 1968, and was a carpenter with BP Construction.
He is survived by his loving partner, Maria Bancroft; parents, Richard and Susan Cipriani Sr. of Springfield, Mass.; brothers, Richard Cipriani Jr. and David Cipriani, both of St. Petes Beach, Fla., Jeffrey Cipriani of Springfield; beloved aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and the Sanchez and Clements families.
A brief memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Shipwrecks Beach on Sunday, May 6.
Donations in Chris’ memory should be directed to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children at 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Cipriani family with arrangements.
