Obituaries for Sunday, April 5, 2015

• Yukiko Kubota • Eric Knudsen • Yutaka Hirakawa • Francis Kealoha • Frances Fu • Shizue Palmer

Yukiko Kubota

Yukiko Akazawa Kubota of Kalaheo, Kauai, passed away on March 9th, 2015, at Straub Hospital at the age of 87.  Yukiko was born on October 1st, 1927 in Makaweli, Kauai. 

Yukiko was preceded in death by husband, Nobuo Kubota and is survived by son Keith (Sharon) Kubota of Aiea, daughter Lorna (Steven) Freitas of Kalaheo.  7 grandchildren, Jocelyn (Hank) Barriga, Keven Freitas, Sheralyn (Sal) Hernandez, Serene Kubota, Jaclyn (Kihei) Fernandes, Reid Kubota, & Shealyn Freitas and 9 great-grandchildren.  Sisters, Misao Mori of Santa Barbara and Itsuko (Harry) Murabayashi of Lawai and brother Eugene (Jessie) Akazawa of Manoa.

Please join our family in a celebration of her life on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Waimea United Church of Christ, Waimea, Kauai. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m.

The family was assisted by Hosoi Mortuary, Oahu, HI.

Eric Knudsen

1936 – 2015

Eric passed away peacefully in his home on March 17th surrounded by loved ones.

He was born on August 11th, 1936 to Helen and Valdemar Knudsen and grew up with his sister, Sinclair, in Makiki Heights on Oahu. Eric attended the Punahou School and then spent his high school years at the Thacher School. While at Thacher, Eric excelled at their horse program with his horse Charlie and made several life-long friends. Eric attended Cornell University before finishing his degree at the University of Hawaii. His degree in botany and minor in tropical soils landed him a job working in the Marshall Islands for several years before coming home to Hawaii. Settling on Kauai, Eric created, built and ran Kahili Mountain Park for 11 years. Deciding to leave Hawaii for the mainland, Eric and his family enjoyed living in Napa, California for 10 years meeting many wonderful friends. Longing to create his dream home, Eric relocated his family one last time to Verdi, Nevada.

Spending summers on Kauai as a boy, Eric loved hiking and hunting throughout the trails of Kokee. He continued to share his love of the outdoors with his family and friends. Eric never let go of enjoying a fast ride on his motorcycle or his love of horseback riding. Eric was a man of many talents – a skilled craftsman, superb athlete, avid reader and had a very quick wit. Later in his life, Eric was drawn to and flourished at riding cutting horses, making several trips to Texas and making more friends along the way. There are so many facets to a long life such as Eric’s that it is impossible to share them all. Eric was a man of high values that earned him the love and respect of his family and many friends. Eric was so very fortunate to have found a new love, Jocelyn, to share his joy of golf, traveling and his life. Sadly, this new love was cut short by Eric’s battle with cancer.

Eric is predeceased by his wife, Beverly and his sister Sinclair. Eric leaves a devoted and loving wife Jocelyn, daughters Helen, Maile and Annie and grandsons Austin and Collin.

Paakiki na kanaka o Kauai. This man of Kauai was indeed tough and will be greatly missed.

Yutaka Hirakawa

Yutaka Hirakawa of Kapaa, Kauai passed away on March 26, 2015 at home at the age of 87. Born on May 22, 1927 in Kapaa, Kauai, he was an Electronic technician.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kama and Uto Hirakawa, brothers, Herbert, Tadashi, and Takeo Hirakawa, and sisters, Ruth Yamauchi and Betty Higa.

Yutaka is survived by his wife, Laraine Hirakawa, brother, George Hirakawa of California, sister, Asayo Nishihara of Kapaa, sister-in-law, Nobue Hirakawa of Pearl City, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Private services were held. Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.

Francis Kealoha

Francis “Kaleo” “D D” Kaleookalani Kealoha, of Haleiwa formerly of Hanalei, Kauai, passed away on February 26, 2015 in Wahiawa at the age of 81. He was born in Honolulu on September 23, 1933. 

Francis is survived by his sons, Michael, Dane and Derrick Kealoha; brother, Eugene K. Kealoha; sisters, LaVaina L. Brown, Janet L. Silva and Doris K. Ibarra; 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. 

Memorial Services in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10:00am at Hanalei Beach Park (Black Pot) on Kauai.

Arrangements were handled by Ultimate Cremation Services, LLC.

Frances Fu

Frances Pavao Fu Of Anahola, Kauai , Hawaii, Passed away on March 31, 2015 At the age of 78. Born on Kauai, Frances was a retired preschool teacher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lono Fu; son, Lanning Joseph Fu; parents, Phillip and Rose Pavao; brother, Phillip Pavao, Jr. and survived by her daughters; Lissa Fu, Lona Duque, Lani (Darrin) Gomes. Lynn Leong, Leilani (Kip) Furugen; sons, Lance (Roni) Fu, Vernon (Lynn) Fu; sisters; Dolores Soto, Patricia (Phillip) Kamakea, brother, Patrick (Karen) Pavao as well as numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday April 25, 2015 at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary Chapel at 9:30 a.m., followed by a service to celebrate her life at 10:30 a.m. Family suggests casual attire.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary; Koloa, Kauai.

Shizue Palmer

Shizue “Sue” Shimabukuro Palmer of Honolulu passed away in Honolulu on Feb. 15, 2015 at the age of 89. She was born in Kohala Hawaii on April 14, 1925, she retired as a secretary for the Meat Cutters Union. She was a beloved Obachan to her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie Ann Palmer.

“Sue” is survived by daughter, Lisa (Butch) Llewellyn of Lihue, brother, Toshio Shimabukuro of Kaneohe; grandson, Otis Llewellyn of Eugene, OR; granddaughter, Brilie Kovaloff of Honolulu; step-grandchildren Ingrid Llewellyn Mackay and Maj-Britt Llewellyn and two great step grandchildren, Tiger and Reyn Mackay.

Visitation 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary; services at 11 a.m. No flowers Casual attire.

Arrangements By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary