• Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr. • Jesus Taylan Sr. • Rebecca Kali • Merlin ‘Sonny’ Hook Young Ching (Kumu Ching) • Cathline ‘Cathy’ Lucille Broyles • Kent ‘Tubby’ Kaui Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr. Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr., born June 28, 1948
• Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr. • Jesus Taylan Sr. • Rebecca Kali • Merlin ‘Sonny’ Hook Young Ching (Kumu Ching) • Cathline ‘Cathy’ Lucille Broyles • Kent ‘Tubby’ Kaui
Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr.
Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr., born June 28, 1948 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue, to Catalina Pacleb Gonzales and Juanito C, Gonzales Sr., passed away Dec. 16 at home in Hanamaulu, at the age 68. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 4453 Kapaia Rd., Lihue.
He was the youngest of six siblings: Santiago Gonzales, Galiardo Gonzales and Warlina Crawford, all deceased; and Josephine (Steve) Morris of Torrance, Calif., and Virgilio (Linda) Gonzales of Pearl City, Oahu.
As a child he had rheumatic fever resulting in a chronic heart condition. After graduating from Kauai High School (Class of 1966), he attended culinary school in Honolulu. He married Maxima (Ada) Negrete and had two children, Leilani (Andrew) Ojinaga (Andrew) of San Diego, and James (Rochelle Parras) Gonzales, and four grandchildren: Ezekiel, Jonathan, Jayden and Meka.
He lived a simple life and enjoyed cooking, fishing, crabbing, selling at the Sunshine Market and participating in church functions. At the Sunshine Market, he sold fruit and was well known for wearing a sombrero and skillfully wielding his machete to open coconuts. He was well-liked by fellow vendors.
He was devoted to his mother and father and cared for them throughout their senior lives. After their passing, the church became the center of his life and the Immaculate Conception community became his extended family. He loved playing the harmonica and drums at church events and with other bands.
May he be at peace now that he is united in heaven with his loved ones, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Jesus Taylan Sr.
Jesus Taylan Sr. of Kauai passed away at the age of 85 on Dec. 6 at home in Puhi. Born on Nov. 8, 1931 in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was an irrigator with the sugar plantation.
He is preceded in death by his father, Juan Taylan; mother, Leonarda Taylan; brothers Jose Taylan, Martin Taylan, Antonio Taylan, Alfredo Taylan and Emeterio Taylan; and sister Trinidad Calumag.
He is survived by his wife, Caridad Pillos Taylan; sons Efren (Glory) Taylan of Puhi, Gil Taylan of Philippines, Jesmel (Teri Goo) Taylan of Puhi, and Jesus (Airah) Taylan Jr. of Las Vegas; daughter, Nancy (Alex) Cezar of Lihue; niece, Rosalinda Taylan Calumag; grandchildren, Joy Fusco, Jennifer Carvalho, Kira Taylan, Travis Taylan, Andrew Cezar, Jessica Cezar, Keiki Goo-Taylan, Kaluka Goo-Taylan, and Chelsey-Lyn Silva; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with Mass to begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lihue Cemetery.
Casual attire is suggested and flowers are welcomed.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Rebecca Kali
Rebecca Kailipau Kali of Hanapepe Valley passed away on Dec. 22 at the age of 73 in Waimea. She was a retired caregiver with the biggest heart.
She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Kekai Kali Sr.; mother, Lei Kunahio Silva Kali; son, Damien Freitas Sr.; daughter, Sheila Freitas; brothers, John H. Young, Richard Ham Young, Jonah Ham Young and Abraham Ham Young; and sisters Clara Kali and Lei Ham Young Niau.
She is survived by her son, Delbert (Vanessa) Freitas of Kekaha; daughters, Diane (Keith) Delima of Eleele and Nicol (Dean) Nonaka of Hanapepe; nine grandchildren: Keith “KJ” (Alison Katahira) Delima, Kyle “Kainoa” (Keane Palama) Delima, Kell “Kelly Boy” Nonaka, Sandie “Nahe” (Kaeo Howard) Nonaka, Harley “Tita” Nonaka, Kai “Kai Boy” Nonaka; Manase Kahale; Kawika Kahale; and Keanu Freitas; one great-granddauhter, her best friend Karissa Nonaka Howard, whom she loved so dearly; brothers Benjamin Kali Sr. of Hanapepe and Robert (Kathleen) Kali Jr. of Hilo; sisters Janet Ortiz of Hanapepe and Winifred Kali of Hanapepe, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kalaheo Ward. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with services to follow. Burial will take place at the Hanapepe Hawaiian Cemetery.
Merlin ‘Sonny’ Hook Young Ching (Kumu Ching)
Merlin “Sonny” Hook Young Ching (Kumu Ching) of Kapaa Homesteads passed away in Wilcox Medical Center on Nov. 25 at the age of 85. He was born in Honolulu on July 19, 1931. He was a veteran of the U.S Navy and served in the Korean War. He graduated from Iolani in 1950 and returned to the University of Hawaii to obtain his bachelor’s degree in education in 1987.
He lived a very full and interesting life. Early on, he was an entertainer on the Waikiki circuit, charming audiences, singing his songs and playing his ukulele. A member of the SAG (Screen Actors Guild), he appeared in many commercials, “Magnum P.I.” episodes, “Baywatch,” TV specials etc., as well as modeling and acting in international movies. He also obtained his license to be an officiant and performed many marriages and ceremonies. He and his life partner, Corinne Reenie Christensen, traveled the world together crossing countries and continents and visiting many different cultures.
Ching loved Hawaii and especially Kauai, where he shared his aloha to the community with his zest for life. Every week he looked forward to playing, singing and sharing music at Auntie Angeline’s kupuna gatherings. He also was a lifelong body surfer, winning several competitions and was able recently to engage his love of the ocean through his participation in KORE (Kauai Ocean Recreation Experience). He appreciated every day and always had a charismatic smile on his face. One of his passions was his dedication to the education of keiki o ka aina. He felt blessed to be able to teach in many of the public schools on Kauai and Honolulu at the middle and secondary levels. He became well known as the “Riddle Master.” Kumu Ching will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him with his positive outlook on life and generous spirit.
He is survived by his two daughters, Christine Haunani Horio and Dione Hulen of Honolulu; one son, David Kalakaua Ching, stepson Peter Wilmouth, stepdaughter Terry Crnich of Oregon; life partner Corinne Reenie Christensen of Kapaa, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life was held privately on Kauai and also in Honolulu in conjunction with his son Randolph “Randy” Ching’s celebration, who preceded him in death by three weeks. A Hui Ho.
Cathline ‘Cathy’ Lucille Broyles
Cathline “Cathy” Lucille Broyles of Kekaha passed away on Dec. 16 at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 79.
Born on Aug. 13, 1937 in Makaweli, she was a retired custodian for Eleele School.
She was preceded in death by parents Manuel and Anna Fune, brothers Herbert Fune Sr. and Stanley Fune, sister Patricia Fune Delapenia, and husband Richard Broyles Sr.
She is survived by sons Richard (Desiree) Broyles Sr., Curtis (Jocelyn) Broyles and Michael (Julie) Broyles; daughter Angela (Dexter) Kaohelaulii; brother James Ronald Fune, 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit the family on Thursday, Jan. 5 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kalaheo. Visitation is at 9 a.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary, Koloa.
Kent ‘Tubby’ Kaui
Kent “Tubby” Nalaniehiku Kaui of Kapaa passed away at the age of 63 on Dec. 16 in Lihue. Born on Dec. 16, 1953, inHonolulu, he was a retired truck driver and machine operator for Rego Trucking and a U.S. Navy veteran.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilfred Kaui Sr., and mother, Itsue Kawaguchi Kaui.
Kaui is survived by his wife, Margarite Coller; son, Kevin N.D. Kaui of Kapaa; daughters, Helene Kaui of Kapaa, and Lara Ann (Rory) Hoomanawanui of Anahola; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Wilfred (Cynthis Edrada) Kaui, Jr. of Waimea, Wesley (Trinette) Kaui of Kapaa, Clyde (Darlene) Kaui of Hanamaulu, Steven (Tamlyn) Kaui of Kapaa, and Keith (Elizabeth) Kaui of San Diego; sisters, Sheila Davis of Anahola, Cynthia (Bill) Rapozo of Kapaa, Carolyn (Everett) Ferreira of Kihei, Maui, Corinne (Martin) Curnan of Lihue, and Claire Kaui of Honolulu; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kapaa Second Ward (Kapaa Mormon church). Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. with services to begin at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at theKauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
All are welcomed to join the family for a celebration of Kaui’s life at Anahola Beach Park at 3 p.m., following the burial.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
