Obituaries for June 21, 2015
Obituaries for June 21, 2015
Joseph Vierra
Joseph Vierra passed away on June 8, 2015, in Pearl City, Oahu. He was born in Eleele, Kauai, on Sept. 27, 1920, to Manuel and Elvira Vierra.
Joseph served in World War II in the Army and Air Force, and was a machinist at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for 32 years. He was married to Elaine Malama Vierra from Niumalu, Kauai.
Joseph is survived by his sons, Jeffrey J. Vierra and Joseph R. Vierra, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A celebration of Joseph’s life will take place June 23, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, 1330 Maunakea St., Honolulu, Hawaii, with burial at The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at 1 p.m. For further information call Joseph at 808-721-8387.
Borthwick Oahu is assisting the Vierra family with arrangements.
Gasper P. Bova
Gasper P. Bova, 83, of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away June 10, 2015, of natural causes. Gaspar was born Nov. 6, 1931, in Medford, Massachusetts, served in the Korean War, and was a long-time resident of Honolulu and Princeville.
Gap is survived by his beloved wife, Tanya Bova, and his four children: Teri Waros, Kim Chavez, Tiffani Bova and Jeff Bova. Gap had three brothers: Joseph Bova, Salvatore Bova and Richard Bova. Gap had six grandchildren: Dustin, Kimo, Brandi, Nikki, Houston and Ryder, one great-grandchild Alliyia, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved deeply.
He will be missed by so many for his wonderful generosity, his great personality and the love he shared with all.
John Harry Rice Plews
John H.R. Plews passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 18, 2015. John was born in Lihue, Jan. 7, 1934, on the Island of Kauai, to his loving parents John Christopher Plews and Edith Rice Plews.
John’s family, part of the Kauai Rices, was of missionary descent with direct lineage to William Hyde Rice. His maternal grandparents were Charles Atwood Rice and Grace King Rice.He had one sister, Anne Hyde Rice Plews Moncrief, who passed in June 2014.
John spent his first 11 years on Kauai before heading to his father’s homeland of England to attend his father’s former school, Charter House. After a brief stay in England, John and his family moved to Maryland where he attended Phillips Academy. He then took his academic pursuits to Yale for undergraduate studies. Following Yale, John joined the Army and was stationed in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He served in the Army for 2 years (1956-58) and then attended Harvard Law School before finally returning to his family home in Hawaii in 1962.
John practiced law for many years at the law firm of Robertson, Castle and Anthony in Honolulu. His most prominent case was the Robinson vs. McBride Water Rights case leading to a Hawaii Supreme Court decision (1973) defining water as a “public resource” and not a “privately owned resource” in the State of Hawaii.
However, his real love remained the Garden Island of Kauai, or more specifically Kokee. Spending time at his rustic cabin in the mountains was what John lived for. He was an avid naturalist and would often take world-renowned botanists on hikes around the Kokee State Park in order to document the native flora that grows only in those forests. He was an early member and Trustee of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens (NTBG). He was also president of the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society (1974-76), as well as board member and ongoing member of the Historical Society. He was frequently asked to help with historical research due to his nearly photographic memory and numerous notebooks filled with his own personal research.
In addition to Hawaiian history and plants, John had a great love of his dogs. He enjoyed their company immensely and they were both his constant companions and nuclear family. His sister Anne was also very close to him. In later years he had daily conversations with her, usually via telephone, to share events and make sure all was well.
He is survived by his sister Anne’s three daughters and grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth (Emmy) Copriviza (h. Michael), Juliet Edith Moncrief (h. Kuma), Heather Anne Waters (h. Richard), grand-nephew Anthony Copriviza and grandnieces Courtney Copriviza, Lauren Waters and Katie Waters, and numerous cousins.
A memorial will be held at Lihue Cemetery on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to National Tropical Botanical Gardens (NTBG) or the Kauai Museum would be greatly appreciated.
Lily Kiilau
Lily Kalehuamakanoe Pia Kiilau of Hanamaulu passed away in Wilcox Memorial Hospital on June 18, 2015, at the age of 79. She was born in Hanamaulu on Feb. 25, 1936, and was a dedicated homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Kiilau Jr., son, Charles Kiilau III; daughters, Moana Jean Asuncion, Maryann Lopes; brothers, George Pia and Joseph Pia; and sister, Madeline Raymond.
Lily is survived by three daughters, Cindy (Yasu) Morikawa, Wendy-Lu (Warren) Frisbee, Leah (Jojo) Pillos; five sons, Danny (Lisa), Joseph “Poki” (Jane), Lance, George “Kaleo,” Kalani (Sadie); 29 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruby Cummings; three brothers, Hiram Karen) Pia, Arthur Pia and John Pia; numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Lihue Ward with viewing from 9:30 a.m. and services beginning at 11:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Kiilau family with arrangements.
Hannah M. Takata Martin
Hannah M. Takata Martin, of Kapaa, Kauai, passed away on June 9, 2015, at the age of 76. Hannah was born on Dec. 25, 1938, in Waimea, Kauai. She retired from her position as laundry attendant for Kauai Coconut Beach Resort.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Koki and Chiyoko Takata of Waimea, Kauai, and her sister, Katherine Hirayama of Los Angeles, California.
Hannah is survived by her daughter Candice (Steve) Cummings of Kapaa, Kauai, her son Reuben (Lori) Orial of Lihue, Kauai, six grandchildren, Kelsey (Shane) Lovell of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dawn (Michael) De Silva of Kapahi, Kauai, Kalin Cummings of Kapaa, Kauai, Bryson Cummings of Kapaa, Kauai, Shay and Tane Orial Of Lihue, Kauai; eight great-grandchildren, Jesse Makena and Cassie Parongao, Troye and Janea Lovell, Nainoa, Pohakupili and Madison De Silva and Makoa Rubio-Cummings. Hannah also leaves behind a brother, Sam (Elsie) Takata of Lihue, Kauai, and a sister, Mary (Billy) Robinson of Waimea, Kauai, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Hannah’s life will be held at Breath of Life Christian Ministries, 4303 Rice St., Lihue, Kauai, on June 27, 2015. Friends may visit with the family at 9 a.m., followed by memorial services at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Mary K. Wallace
Mary Kathleen Wallace of Kilauea, Kauai, passed away on June 12, 2015, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at the age of 89. Born on June 20, 1925, in San Francisco, California, Mary was a retired director of Social Services for Santa Cruz County in California and outreach worker for the County of Kauai. She volunteered at the Kauai Museum and the North Shore Library at Princeville and served her community in many ways. She loved working in her garden, swimming at Kahiliwai and reading.
Mary was preceded in death by her children, Jamie and Mary. She is survived by her ohana of loving friends. A library lover to her core, Mary would like any remembrances to benefit the Princeville Library. Services will be private.
The family is being assisted by Borthwick Mortuary, Kauai.
Mary Louise Kenney
Mary Louise Kenney of Hanalei, Kauai, passed away in Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on April 19, 2015, at the age of 94. She was born in Hollywood, California, on March 11, 1921, and was a dedicated homemaker.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Kenney; parents William and Ruth Lacy; sons, Freddie Kenney and Gordon Kenney; and brother, Bill Lacy. Her daughter, Ruth Conover, died shortly after her mother on June 3, 2015.
Mary is survived by three daughters, MaryLou Drummy of Newport Beach, California, Sandy Kenney Termin of Anaheim, California, and Susan McConnell of Ventura, California; two sons, Charles Kenney of the Big Island and Thomas Kenney of Hanalei; 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; sister, Ginny Lessing; brother, Tom Lacy; daughter-in-law, Laurel Kenney of Kilauea; sister-in-law, Fukimo “Miki” Lacy; and nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at St. Williams Catholic Church in Hanalei with services at 10 a.m. Pupus will be available from 11 a.m. to noon at Grandpa’s Beach before Ruth Conover’s memorial services beginning at 12 p.m. A paina will follow to continue the celebration of Mary and her daughter, Ruth Conover.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Kenney family with arrangements.
Ruth Melinda Conover
Ruth Melinda Conover of Hanalei, Kauai, passed away in Wilcox Memorial Hospital on June 3, 2015, at the age of 68. She was born in Riverside, California, on June 4, 1946, raised in Chatsworth, California, and worked in the hospitality industry.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Elmer Kenney; and brothers, Freddie Kenney and Gordon Kenney.
Ruth is survived by one daughter, Erin Fuller of Hanalei; two sons, John (Lisa) Stein of Crofton, Maryland, and Daniel (Tori) Fuller of Hanalei; three sisters, MaryLou Drummy of Newport Beach, Sandy Kenney Termin of Anaheim, California, and Susan McConnell of Ventura, California; two brothers, Charles Kenney of the Big Island and Thomas Kenney of Hanalei; six grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews; cousins; and long-time friends.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at noon at Grandpa’s Beach in Hanalei. A paina will follow the services to continue the celebration of the lives of Ruth and her mother, Mary Kenney.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted Ruth’s family with arrangements.
Marcelina Damaso
Marcelina Damaso of Hanamaulu passed away on June 17, 2015, at Garden Isle Health Care at the age of 68. Born on July 12, 1946, in Dingras Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was custodian with Kapaa Middle School.
She is survived by her brothers, Epifanio (Lydia) Damaso of Hanamaulu, Rustico Damaso of Hanamaulu and sister-in-law, Carwilia Damaso of Kapaa, Almirante (Nena) Damaso of Kona, Gamaliel (Margilyn) Damaso of Kona, and Bernabe (Trina) Damaso of Hanamaulu; sisters, Susana (Rogelio) Bulo of Philippines, and Eupricina (Arsenio) Garcia of Philippines; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family at the Garden Island Mortuary Chapel in Lawai on Saturday, June 27, 2015. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with blessing at 11 a.m.
Family suggests casual attire and is open to flowers.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Daniel Robert Caughey
Daniel Robert Caughey of Hanamaulu passed away at his home on June 17, 2015, at the age of 55. He was born in Michigan on July 18, 1959, and was gifted with his hands, being able to repair anything and everything.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Michael “Mike” Caughey.
He is survived by his mother, Deloris Miller of Hanamaulu; sister, Terri Cantu of Texas; daughter, Karen Caughey of Ensinada, Mexico; four nieces and one nephew.
Services are pending.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Caughey family with arrangements.
Randal Haruto Yamamoto
Randal Haruto Yamamoto of Wailua passed away at home on June 5, 2015, at the age of 58. He was born in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, on Oct. 1, 1956, and was employed by Hawaii Food Alliance as a warehouse manager.
Randal was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Yamamoto, and sister, Crystal Pia.
He is survived by his wife, Aileen Okikawa Yamamoto; daughter, Carleen Yamamoto; sons, Troy and Derek Yamamoto; mother, Fujiko Yamamoto; four sisters, Debbie (Glen) Taba, Gail (Dwayne) Sandberg, Joy (Roy) Kamanu, Joan Yamamoto; two brothers, Glen (Rebecca) Yamamoto, Keith (Janice) Yamamoto; numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Lihue Ward with visitation from 3 p.m. and services celebrated at 4 p.m.
Private inurnment to be held at a later date.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Yamamoto family with arrangements.
