• Joseph Rapozo Sr. • Leonard Tangalin • Karoline Manley • Shane Matias • Dianne Rita • Ernest Coyaso • Katoru Kaneko Joseph Rapozo Sr. Joseph “Big Joe” Kaumuali‘i Rapozo Sr., of Anahola, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital
• Joseph Rapozo Sr. • Leonard Tangalin • Karoline Manley • Shane Matias • Dianne Rita • Ernest Coyaso • Katoru Kaneko
Joseph Rapozo Sr.
Joseph “Big Joe” Kaumuali‘i Rapozo Sr., of Anahola, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on May 16, 2012, at the age of 49.
He was born November 27, 1962 in Lihu‘e. He was an avid fisherman, loving father and the best grandpa.
Big Joe is preceded in death by his daughter, Tasha Rapozo; father Joseph Rapozo; maternal grandfathers Francisco Alejo & Clarence Napoleon; paternal grandparents John and Helen Rapozo and his uncle, Lorenzo “Bum” Alejo.
Joe is survived by sons Joseph (Welena) Rapozo Jr., Anahola; Kevin (Jamie) Rapozo, Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu; Kaumuali‘i Rapozo-Kaleiohi, Anahola; daughters Rayana Rapozo, Anahola; Lilia Rapozo-Kaleiohi, Anahola; brothers Chad (Teri) Rapozo, Anahola; Clete “Kalani” Rapozo, Anahola; Ryan “Kalei” Rapozo, Hilo, Big Island; sister Janelle (Mark) Rapozo, Anahola; girlfriend, Marissa Kaleiohi, Anahola; mother, Lorraine Rapozo, Anahola; grandmother, Mary Alejo Napoleon, Anahola; grandchildren Zion, Kamahina, Olivia, Kingston, Taelyn, Kaden and Star; and numerous friends and family members.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday May 24, 2012, for a potluck gathering. Visitation from 6 p.m. at the family home, 4224 Anahola Road, Anahola. Celebration of Life at 7 p.m. Funeral service to be held on Friday May 25, 2012 at Saint Catherine Catholic Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation 9:30 a.m., Mass to be celebrated at 10a.m. Burial to follow at Saint Catherine Cemetery.
The family suggests aloha attire.
Arrangements by Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary, Koloa, Kaua‘i.
Leonard Tangalin
Leonard Tangalin of Wailua died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on April 17, 2012, at the age of 61. He was born in Lihu‘e on January 14, 1951, and last worked for Kaua‘i Island Tours as a bus driver.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ben Tangalin; brother, Steven Tangalin and stepfather Maurice Lardizabal.
He is survived by his daughter, Ohia Tangalin of Wailua; sons Keawe Tangalin of Wailua, Kamani Tangalin of Wailua, and Adam Fenenbock of Big Island; and mother, Herminia Lardizabal of Wailua; 32-year companion Karen Tangalin; brothers, Fred (Carol) Tangalin of Wailua, Leroy Tangalin of Wailua, Scott Lardizabal of California; sisters Yolanda (Scott) Kurihara of Kapolei, O‘ahu, Nena (Bill) Johnson of Kamuela, Hawai‘i, Gloria Reed of Kona, Hawai‘i; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and girlfriend Farah.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Wailua Beach beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pot Luck welcomed.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted Ohia Tangalin with arrangements.
Karoline Manley
Karoline (Carol) Manley died in Colorado on May 6, 2012, at the age of 79. She was born on October 12, 1932, in Austria. The years that Carol and her husband, Wally (deceased), lived on Kaua‘i were very special to her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Wallace (Wally) Manley.
She is survived by her children Steven, Timothy, and Lisa; and her six grandchildren.
Children Steven, Timothy, and Lisa and her six grandchildren wish her “Ruhe in Frieden.” No services.
Shane Matias
Shane Nelmida Matias of Lihu‘e died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on May 13, 2012 at the age of 52. He was born in Lihu‘e on July 18, 1959 and was a former security guard with Garden Island Security and Freeman Guards, bus driver for Akita Enterprises and a cook at JJ’s Broiler.
Shane was a unique and special individual. He lived carefree and spirited life, embracing it with humor, compassion, and enthusiasm. His generosity, unconditional love, passion, and zest for life was and will continue to be an inspiration to all.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Enriquita Nelmida Fukushima; father, Roger Matias Sr.; maternal grandparents, Andres and Fortunata Nelmida; paternal grandparents, Guillermo and Emelia Matias.
He is survived by his loving wife, Stacie T. Okiura-Matias of Lihu‘e; in-laws, Toshio and Yoshiko Okiura of Lawa‘i; stepfather, Richard Fukushima of Kapa‘a; stepmother, Petronilla Remollino of Lihue; brothers, John W. (Doris) Matias of Mililani, HI; Max Roger (Dorene) Matias Jr. of Lihu‘e; sisters, Leah (David) Taylor of Neward, Calif., Christine Lani (Bryan) Hao of Vancouver, Wash., Marissa (Arden Daligdig) Matias of Willamina, Ore.; sister-in-law, Evie Horimoto of Mililani; numerous uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Church with viewing from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Cremation to follow. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Okiura/Matias family with arrangements.
Dianne Rita
Dianne Napolis Rita of Kalaheo died on April 30, 2012, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, at the age of 61. She was born on April 3, 1951, in Honolulu. She was a homemaker, with smiles, joy throughout the years, closeness that was ours, touched her life a love as sweet fragrant flowers near her face right by my side. Until then I wait by heavens door at peace, knowing that I will see you once more.
She was preceded in death by her two daughters; father, Mark N. Napolis; and a brother Mark N. Napolis Jr.
She is survived by her husband, Eric W. Rita of Kalaheo; a son, Greg Silva of Kaua‘i; a godson, William and goddaughter, Shanelle; mother, Henrietta Napolis; parents-in-law, William and Anna Rita; two brothers, Dave and Dain Napolis, both of Hanalei; brothers-in-law, David, Gordon, Brian, Darin, Dustin, and William; four sisters, Doreen L. Henriques (Tom Nollar) of Kalaheo, Debra A. Napolis Johnston of Hanalei, Donna (David) Friend of Pahoa, and Dana (Kimo) Palmeira of Wailua; sisters-in-law, Vickie, Leslie, Kay, Shanelle, and Shanna; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on May 20 at the Garden Island Mortuary Chapel. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and service to begin at 1 p.m. Burial to follow at Hanalei Association Cemetery.
The family suggests casual attire.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Ernest Coyaso
On May 11, 2012 at 9:50 p.m. Ernest Coyaso Sr. joined his lovely wife in death. He was born on Jan. 14, 1925, in Waipahu, O‘ahu, and was the eldest of six children of Isidoro and Mary Rivera Coyaso.
After attending ‘Ele‘ele Elementary School, he completed his education through correspondence courses, trade schools, and an apprenticeship with McBryde Sugar Plantation, ultimately securing a job as supervisor for Lone Star Construction on O‘ahu. Retiring in 1986, he and his beloved wife returned to Kaua‘i.
On July 27, 1946 he married the girl next door Mary Torres, raised four children and remained a faithful husband, provider and friend until Mary’s death on Feb. 13, 2006.
Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mary L. Coyaso, his eldest son Wallace Coyaso; and brother Philip Coyaso.
He is survived by his children, Judy (Allen) Brummett, Ernest R. (Yolanda) Coyaso Jr., Della (Gary) Gonzales, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, his brother Marcelino “Kucho” Coyaso, his sisters Laura “Lita” Vales, Beatrice Camacho and Dora Vales as well as many nieces and nephews.
He left a legacy of love and old fashion ethics. The family thanks Dr. Denny, Dr. Bodenstab, Dr. Braun and an outstanding Kaua‘i Hospice staff for their diligence and dedication.
Private memorial services will be held at the later date. Please send any gifts in his memory to Kaua‘i Hospice.
Daddy, we will miss you.
Katoru Kaneko
Katoru Kaneko died on April 28, 2012, at her home in Honolulu, O‘ahu. He was born on Molokai, Hawai‘i, on April 17, 1915. Katoru was a retired custodian with the Department of Education at Waimea High School.
He was preceded in death by his wife Asae Kaneko and son Tatsuo Nishi.
Survived by daughters, Michie (Noboru) Munichika, of Lihu‘e, Kiyomi Nishi-Berry of Louisiana, Gail Kaneko, of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and daughter-in-law Elsie Nishi, of Koloa; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Service is Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Old Lihu‘e Plantation Building, Suite 108 in Lihu‘e, at 10 a.m. Scattering of ashes at Waimea Landing at 1 p.m. No flowers and casual attire.
