Osamu ‘Shorty’ Arashiro
Osamu “Shorty” Arashiro passed away on March 22, 2019, in Waimea. He was born on March 29, 1926 in Wahiawa, was a supervisor of Kekaha Sugar Company, and he was also a World War II veteran.
He was preceded in death by wife Lauae Jean Arashiro, son Amos “Moose” Arashiro, and siblings Masaichi, Mamoru, Masaru and Harumi Arashiro, and Jeanette Miyashiro and Matsue Napohaku.
He is survived by son Alvin (Carmen) Arashiro, daughters Annabelle (Jack) Evans, Cheryl Lou (Glenn) Morimoto, Laureen (Homelani) Arashiro and hanai daughter Sasha Figueira, 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, April 5, from 9 a.m., with a celebration of life at 11 a.m., at the Kekaha Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Burial will follow at Kauai Veterans Cemetery.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joseph Francis Sylvester
Joseph Francis Sylvester, 97, passed peacefully at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, on March 27, 2019.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and a longtime resident of Kauai. He was a member of the Traveler’s Den golf group, and an advocate for juniors’ and women’s golf programs in Delaware.
He was a four-time winner of the Delaware Seniors Open, and competed in the U.S. Seniors Open in 1975. He also played Class B baseball for the Yankees organization following his military service.
He is survived by children Joseph (Lee) Sylvester of Lawai, Jane Sylvester of Wilmington, Delaware, Robert (Andrea) Sylvester of Colfax, California, and Anthony (Cyndi) Sylvester of Wilmington, Delaware, and six grandchildren.
Cipriano P. Otoman
Cipriano P. Otoman, 93, of Kekaha, passed away March 5, 2019 in Waimea.
Born on Jan. 1, 1926, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippnes, he was an irrigation crew chief with Kekaha Sugar Company.
He was preceded in death by wife Sachie Otoman, son Sidney Wishiyama, daughter Sherry Ann Otoman, and parents Domingo and Olimpia Otoman.
He is survived by sons Michael (Marynel) Otoman of Eva Beach, Oahu, Gene (Elaine) Otoman of Waimea, David Otoman of Kekaha, and Joseph Otoman of Kekaha, daughters Judy (Guy) Fujita of Waimea and Lisa (Robin) Murayama of Lihue, 14 grandchildren, brothers Cecelio Otoman of the Philippines, Federico Otoman of the Philippines, Bernardo Otoman of the Philippines, and sisters Claudia and Marcy of the Philippines.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Garden Island Mortuary chapel in Lawai. Burial will follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Francis Genichi Tafua
Francis Genichi Tafua, 40, passed away on March 26, 2019 in Honolulu.
He was born on April 28, 1978, in American Samoa.
He was a loyal front of house runner and bartender at Roy’s Eating House 1849.
He was preceded in death by father Joe Leo Tafua, grandparents Leo and Lualuania Tafua and Genichi and Hatsuyo Kamiya.
He is survived by son Leo Garza-Tafua, mother Rachael Tafua, brother Daniel (Malia) Tafua, sisters Jonell (Vernon) Kaohelauii and Jannah Tafua, one nephew, seven nieces and one grandniece.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 13, at the Kekaha Boat House, with services from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with the celebration of life at 4 p.m.
The family suggests aloha attire.
