Obituaries for Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017
• Jesus Taylan Jr. • Diane L. Matsukawa • Patricia ‘Pat’ E. Wilson • George ‘Keoki’ Keolaopio Kauileielhua Keamoai • Tatiana Taylor Pomaikai Kaneholani • Jacob Kolae Martins • Roberta Francina U‘ilani Smith Fernandez • John Hurst Schrader • Catherine Elaine Dela Pina Rego • Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe
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 a 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 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.
Diane L. Matsukawa
Diane L. Matsukawa passed away at home on Dec. 11 at the age of 69. Born on Feb. 16, 1947 in Lihue, she retired as principal of Haleiwa Elementary School.
She is preceded in death by her parents Tad and Mary Takiguchi, sisters Sandy Minn and Leslie Takiguchi.
She is survived by her daughter Tricia Matsukawa, sister Joy (Arthur) Chow and brother Robin (Val) Takiguchi, and brother-in-law Hubert Minn.
Funeral services will be held on Jan. 21 on Oahu at Mililani Mortuary (Mauka Chapel). Viewing is from 5:30 p.m. and services at 6 p.m.
Mililani Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Patricia ‘Pat’ E. Wilson
Patricia “Pat” E. Wilson of Lihue joined her Lord on Dec. 6 at the age of 76. She was born in Pennsylvania on May 19, 1940 and worked on Wall Street as an executive secretary before she moved to Hawaii in the early ’60s. She was a real estate broker, bookkeeper with Westin Kauai and also worked in bird conservation and at Kokee Museum.
She is survived by her nephew, Scott (Dawn) Sekel of New Jersey; niece Kristen; cousin Candie and many friends that loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her father Clifford, mother Elsie and brother Clifford Jr.
A celebration of her life will be held Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Lihue across from McDonald’s.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
George ‘Keoki’ Keolaopio Kauileilehua Keamoai
George “Keoki” Keolaopio Kauileilehua Keamoai of Hanapepe passed away at the age of 78 on Dec. 25 at Kauai Care Center. Born on Jan. 31, 1938 in Puuwai, Niihau, he worked in irrigation with Gay & Robinson sugar plantation.
He is preceded in death by his daughters Judy Nanikaua‘i Keamoai, and Deborah Puananikauanoe Keamoai; and grandson, Taylor Keola Kanahele-Keamoai.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ku‘uleilani Nizo-Keamoai; daughters, Faith Nalei Keamoai, Hope Ka‘imi Strickland, Charity Mano Kanahele, Yolanda Kemamo Betts, and Shyla Pilialoha Ho; 10 grandchildren: Destinie Maka Keamoai-Barnes, Justina Manolani Keamoai, Justine Hau‘oli Gardener, Rosemary Ka‘imilei Keamoai-Strickland, Patrick Keoki Keamoai-Strickland, Noaa Kahanamana Kubo, Samson Ikaika Keamoai-Strickland, Christopher Keola Kanahele, Tiana Wailama Kanahele and Chris Napomaika‘i Kanahele; three great-grandchildren: Destinie Akauanoe Keamoai-Barnes, Zymani Ho‘omana Keamoai-Hall and Zyreiah Mahina Gardener; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family at the Garden Island Mortuary Chapel in Lawai on Saturday, Jan. 14. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon with services to begin at noon. Burial will follow at the Kekaha Hawaiian Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Tatiana Taylor Pomaikai Kaneholani
Tatiana Taylor Pomaikai Kaneholani of San Francisco died at home on Oct. 12 at the age of 55. She was born on Jan. 14, 1961 in Lihue. She was a receptionist, office manager and executive assistant for Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center before liver cancer ended her ability to work.
She grew up in Kapaa, was a cheerleader at Kapaa High School, attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and, later, San Diego State University, where she earned her master’s degree in communications. In 1998 she moved to San Francisco, where she was active in the Hawaiian cultural community and a kumu hula for The Ladies of Passion and Halau Hula ‘O Ke Ala I Ka Pono.
She is preceded in death by her father Herbert Kelii Kaneholani Sr.; mother Elizabeth Sarah Kaneholani; brothers Herbert, Harry, David, George and Jerry Kaneholani; and sister, Rosemary Sanay.
She is survived by her husband Terry (aka: Albert) Ryan of San Francisco; hanai sons Ryan Fuimaono of San Francisco and Ronald Sese of New York City; brothers John (Leila) Kaneholani, Billy Kaneholani, Daniel (Evangaline) Kaneholani and Clement (Sarah) Kaneholani, all of Anahola; sisters, Olinda Higashi of Anahola, Midge Asai and Miriam “Honey Girl” Kupihea of Kapaa; Olandra Kaleiohi of Lihue; sister-in-laws Charolette Kaneholani, Star Kaneholani, Cheryl Kaneholani and Noreen Kaneholani, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Anahola Beach Park. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 a.m., and a service will begin at 10 a.m.
Helen Gomes Kaui
Helen Gomes Kaui of Kapahi passed away on Dec. 28 at Garden Island Healthcare at the age of 91.
Born on April 19, 1925 in Kealia, she was retired from Kauai Beach Boy Hotel as a laundry attendant.
She was preceded in death by her husband David Kaui Jr. and sister Clara Rapozo.
She is survived by sons Irving (Stella) Kaui of Kapahi, Leonard (Luella) Kaui of Wailua Homesteads, Eric (Deborah) Kaui of Kapahi, Jason (Lani) Kaui of Wailua Homesteads; daughters Carolyn (Dennis) De Silva of Kapahi and Adele (Matthew) Santos of Kapahi; brothers Joe Gomes and Stanley Gomes, both of California; Alan Avillanoza of Honolulu, Walter Avillanoza; and a sister, Jane Windberg of Washington, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Jan. 13 at Saint Catherine Church in Kapaa, with visitation at 9 a.m. and Mass at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow at Saint Catherine Cemetery.
The family suggests casual attire.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary Koloa.
Jacob Kolae Martins
Jacob Kolae Martins passed away on Dec. 5 at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital at age 93. Born on May 18, 1923, he retired as a welder with the County of Kauai and was a grower of tropical flowers. He was an Army WWII veteran stationed in Europe.
He is preceded in death by his parents John Martins and Kina Kolae Tachibana; brothers John Martins and Joseph Kalani Tachibana; sister Tomiko Tamura and son Hanzs Kaulana Martins.
He is survived by his wife Theresa Ornellas Martins, sons Jacob (Sue) Martins Jr., of Ridgecrest Calif., and Christopher (Kalae) Martins of Waimea, and daughter Erika Martins of Kapaa; grandchildren Lisa (Scott) Yamaguchi of Kapaa, Jacob Martins III of Los Angeles and Jennifer Martins of Sacramento; sister Minerva DePont of Honolulu; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 14 at St. Catherine Church in Kapaa from 9 to 9:45 a.m., where Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
The family suggests casual attire and request that flowers should be omitted.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Roberta Francina U‘ilani Smith Fernandez
Roberta Francina U‘ilani Smith Fernandez of Kapaa set sail to be with our almighty Lord on Monday, Jan. 2. She was born in Honolulu and was the beloved daughter of Alice Ululani Loio Smith and Robert Thomas Smith.
She was a devout wife and mother, outstanding water woman, avid cook and master gardener. She is survived by her mother Alice and father Robert, husband Thomas G. Fernandez of Kapaa; and their two beautiful daughters, Sanoe and Maile Fernandez; four siblings: Suzette Hau‘oli Smith Gurtler of Anahola; Erin K. Smith of Pahoa; Stacy K. Smith of Puhi; and Ta-vina Smith Butac of Hanamaulu; and five stepchildren: Preston Fernandez, USAF; Mandy Fernandez of Wailua; Moki Fernandez of Kapaa; Kelvin Fernandez of Anchorage; Kullen Fernandez of Seattle; three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church in Anahola on Jan. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Roberta “Berta” leaves us such wonderful memories, may she be at peace at her favorite beach, Kealia. We will miss her dearly.
John Hurst Schrader
John Hurst Schrader was born on May 3, 1945, and died on Dec. 26.
He was preceded in death by sister Georgene (Harry) Pharis, brother Eric (Anita) Schrader and his two daughters, Nicole (Jon) Garcia and Windy Schrader, along with four grandchildren and beloved great-grandson Haena.
He loved surfing, fishing and most of all raising his oldest grandson Kegan Ahlgren.
In his memory, please join us for a paddle out on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at Hanalei Peir.
Catherine Elaine Dela Pina Rego
Catherine Elaine Dela Pina Rego, 80, of Pearl City, a retired secretary with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Kalihi, passed away on Dec. 20 at Pali Momi Medical Center. She was born in Kalaheo, the youngest child of Rafael and Maximina Dela Pina. She is survived by her grandson Kajih Rego and sisters Concepcion “Connie” (Richard) Vidinha of Kauai and Maximina “Maxie” (Tom) Sahut of Kauai. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin H Rego, her parents, siblings Magdalena Balauro, Domingo Dela Pina, Mary Molina, Rose Evangelista, Gladys Leyson and Vincent Dela Pina.
Inurnment and graveside blessing will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Mililani Memorial Park Cemetery. Flowers and lei are welcome. The family requests no monetary gifts.
Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe
Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe, 54, of Mililani passed away on Dec. 15 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 15, 1962 in Pasadena, Calif. Memorial services will be held on Oahu and Kauai.
Oahu’s service will be on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary, 1150 Kikowaena St., Honolulu. Visiting hours will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Service will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Kauai’s service will be on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Kauai Veterans Cemetery, 4331 Lele Rd., Hanapepe. Visiting hours will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Services will begin at 10 a.m. The graveside service will begin at 11:15 a.m.
She is survived by her husband Rudolph O. Ballaibe; children Noah Kaneala Ballaibe and Emma Grace Ballaibe; stepson Daniel R. Ballaibe, stepwife Jenifer B. Ballaibe, stepnieces Kaya J. Ballaibe and Kailani I. Ballaibe, and stepnephew Koa D. Ballaibe.
The daughter of the late Earl W. Dusenberry, she is also survived by her mother Sharon and stepfather Leonard Marlin; sisters Barbara Kermode, Lori Karle and Sandra Dusenberry and nephews Robert Karle and Tyler Dusenberry.
