Valentine Kalaniho‘okaha Ako
Valentine Kalaniho‘okaha Ako, 93, died May 22, 2020 at his home in Wailua. Born in Holualoa, Kona, Hawai‘i Island, on July 10, 1926, the man known as “Uncle Val” and “The Kulolo Man” is a veteran of the Korean War and a retiree and member of Laborers Union Local 368. A skilled fisherman and kalo farmer, he also loved to share his inamona, ulu poi, kulolo, recipes, stories and ‘ike with all.
He was preceded in death by wife Elizabeth Ka‘onohi Johnson, parents James Kopo Ako and Lily Keahialoa Kanoholani, brothers James Kopo Ako, Phillip Ahana Ako, James Kaaealani Wilia, Herbert Kamakauikeaouli Ako, Elmer Aalona Ako, George Kinoulu Kahananui, Reynold Maluhia Ako and James Kimo Ako, and sisters Josephine Kahiwaokalani Freitas, Eleanor Leikini Pelekane, Rachel Lahela Kaopuiki, Elizabeth Maluihi Ako Lee and Emma Louise Makalau Ako-Conjugacion.
He is survived by sisters Lily Jane Kalamakauikeaouli Nunies and Elaine Haimaka‘okalani Ako-Spencer, daughters Blanche Kepola (Stanley) Ako-McCabe, Valerie Naninohea (Ernest) Garcia and Julie-Beth Mamo (Kaleo) Ako, son Ivan Kaho‘onani (Kalau‘ala) Ako, grand-daughter Ellason Elizabeth Kanoelani (Robert) Ornellas, grandsons Justin Lopaka (Danielle) Aiu, Aaron Kaea Kanoa (Marcella) Aiu, Ernest Keolaonaona (Reveen) Garcia, David Kaheaonalani (Jennifer) Garcia, Kaulana Parker McCabe and Kekai Charles McCabe, and great-grandchildren Kailey Hi‘ilani Rivera, Logan Lopaka Aiu, Micah Kaiwi Kekailoa Ornellas, Dylan Kaiolohia Aiu, Kayzen Kamalamalamaonalani Alameda, Mallory Leilani Aiu, Kana‘i Kaho‘okele Garcia, Kilinahe Kaehukai Garcia, Keani Kaimalie Garcia, Korey Kanohonaluikekaimalino Alameda-McCabe, Waylon Kanoa Aiu, Makenna Kaleikaumaka Aiu, Waila‘i Ka‘ano‘i Garcia and Kharter Kekamaehumeahonui McCabe.
A celebration of life is pending until after the COVID-19 quarantine is lifted and travel is safe. Call 808-378-4803 (land line/do not text) to RSVP and provide contact information for future updates. Ke akua pu.
Hoku Ike Ho‘okano
Hoku Ike Ho‘okano, of Kekaha, passed away on May 5, 2020, at the age of 35. He was born Sept. 6, 1984, in Waimea. He was an island activity guide with The Club at Kukui‘ula.
He was preceded in death by mother Cathlin Haynes Burnett.
He is survived by daughter Laule‘a Sol Ho‘okano of Kalaheo, father Isaac “Liko” Ho‘okano, stepmother Debra Ho‘okano, stepfather Bob Burnett, brother Justin Burnett of Washington, sisters Jael Kanoelani Ho‘okano of Kekaha, Likolehua Patricia Ho‘okano of Kekaha and Tristan Burnett of Washington, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be announced at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Douglas Graciano Gayagas
Douglas Graciano Gayagas died on April 20, 2020, in Capistrano Beach, California, at the age of 82. He was born on Aug. 20, 1937 in Kapa‘a.
He was preceded in death by daughter Makayla Gayagas, second wife Christine Gayagas, third wife Dolores Gayagas and first wife Barbara Gayagas.
He is survived by son Darryl Gayagas, daughter-in-law Becky Pollema, grandson DJ and granddaughter Krystal, son Kerry Gayagas and his wife LaCrissa, granddaughter Chandra Gayagas, great-granddaughters Kamea, Noe Lani and Genesis, granddaughter Breanna Gayagas, great-grandsons Solomon, Amarii, Sumantu and Akoni, great-granddaughters Anita and Sinai, granddaughter Brittany Guerrero and her husband Peter, grandsons PJ, Alijah and Ezekiel, daughter Jodie Pellerin and her husband Tom, granddaughter Ka‘iulani, stepdaughter Kari Friedman Graham and her husband Don, son Doug Gayagas Jr. and his wife Trinity, granddaughter Krysta Gayagas-Costa, grandson Kaynan Gayagas, son Brandon Gayagas, grandson Kainoa Akiona, grandson Zayden Gayagas, granddaughter Zaylee Gayagas and grandson Xyren Gayagas, son Matt Gayagas and his wife Shanna, granddaughter Mahriana Gayagas, grandson Massen Gayagas, granddaughter Teja Rita and Gganddaughter Araiya Gayagas.
The family will be holding a private service on Kaua‘i August 8, 2020. Details will be announced in near future.
Shigeru ‘Shige’ Matsumoto
Shigeru “Shige” Matsumoto passed away on June 1, 2020, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 87. He was born on Jan. 9, 1933. He was a veteran with the U.S. Army and was a propane gas installer and delivery person.
He was preceded in death by son Randall “Randy” Matsumoto.
He is survived by wife Marilyn Matsumoto, son Lance Matsumoto of Lihu‘e, daughter-in-law Alison Matsumoto of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Jason Matsumoto, Aaron Matsumoto and Karen Matsumoto, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary Kathryn Kehaunani ‘Mary Kay’ Clark-Alexander
Mary Kathryn Kehaunani “Mary Kay” Clark-Alexander, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 14, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19.
She was born to David Douglas Clark and Sheila Brown Clark on September 22, 1959, in Hilo, Hawai‘i Island. Her formative years were spent on Kaua‘i, where her family enjoyed idyllic summers in Hanalei, swimming and water-skiing with many family friends. During her elementary school years, she discovered her love for the performing arts. She played the role of Dorothy in an incredible production of “The Wizard of Oz” at Wilcox Elementary School.
The Clark family moved back to Hawai‘i Island in 1971, where she attended St. Joseph School in Hilo. She loved being a part of the school community where she made dear, life-long friends. Her school spirit was undeniable, culminating in her becoming the St. Joseph High School Cardinal mascot. She graduated in 1977.
She then studied and lived in Honolulu, where she achieved her certification as a nursing assistant and licensed massage therapist. She cared about people, and her healing hands touched many. She embodied the aloha spirit, expressing the essence of love in all that she pursued.
When she turned 30, she decided to broaden her horizons and moved from Hawai‘i to Fallbrook, California, where she worked as a nanny. In 1991, she moved to Anchorage, Alaska so as to be closer to her sister and to be integral in the lives of her nephew and niece. Over the years, she was a nanny for many families, which allowed her to express her love for children.
She also worked for Fred Meyer and eventually transferred from Alaska to Eugene, Oregon, in 1996, where she met the love of her life, Brian Alexander, on a blind date set up by one of her co-workers. They were married on Jan. 24, 1998, in Eugene. Together they loved traveling as a way of staying connected with family and beloved friends.
She was actively involved with and contributed to Unity of the Valley Church of Eugene in a myriad of ways during her years living in Eugene. She did everything from cleaning the facility and serving in the kitchen to being on staff as assistant to the youth education director.
She endeared herself to others with her ability to give so freely. She would often be the last to leave any dinner party because she would be in the kitchen cleaning and ensuring everything was restored to order.
She is survived by husband Brian M. Alexander of Eugene, Oregon, mother Sheila Brown Clark of Mt. View, Hawai‘i, sister Heather L. Johnson (Douglas) of Anchorage, Alaska, nephews and nieces Austin Clark Johnson and Grace Leionaona Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska, and Peter Dane Clark and Delaney Ke’alohilani Clark of Mercer Island, Washington.
She was preceded in death by father David Douglas Clark of Honolulu, and brother David John “DJ” (Katty) Clark of Mercer Island, Washington.
A memorial will be held to celebrate her life as soon as it is deemed safe to gather. A Facebook group has been set up to give memorial updates and share memories at facebook.com/groups/marykaymemorial.
Gifts in her memory may be sent to Unity of the Valley Church, 3912 Dillard Road Eugene, OR 97405.
I am curious. It is written
Mary Kathryn Kehaunani “Mary Kay” Clark-Alexander, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 14, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19
yet none of the other deaths say why. And this is common in your obituaries.
Why say Mary Kay died of covid complications?
Because I felt that it was important for people who remember her to know why she passed, and for people who didn’t know her to realize that this disease can be fatal.
I would have mentioned it for the same reason. Thoughts and prayers
Merri. Obituaries are written by the families of the deceased, they are handed to TGI to print publicly