Obituaries for Sunday, July 26, 2020
Valentine Kalaniho‘okaha Ako
Valentine Kalaniho‘okaha Ako
Valentine Kalaniho‘okaha Ako, 93, died May 22, 2020, at his home in Wailua. Born in Holualoa, Kona, Hawai‘i on July 10, 1926, Uncle Val (The Kulolo Man) was a veteran of the Korean War and a retiree and active member of Laborers Union Local 368. A skilled fisherman and kalo farmer, he also loved to share his inamona, ulu poi and 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 Ka‘aealani 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 Haimakaokalani Ako-Spencer, daughters Blanche Kepola (Stanley) Ako-McCabe, Valerie Naninohea (Ernest) Garcia and Julie-Beth Mamo (Kaleo) Ako, son Ivan Kaho‘onani (Kala‘au‘ala) Ako, granddaughter 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, 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.
Graveside services and celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 1, at 7284 Ko‘olau Rd., Kilauea.
In light of COVID-19, the family requests that you call in your RSVP to 808-378-4803 (landline/no text) if you plan on attending the service and celebration of life. Lunch will be served and social distancing will be practiced. If you forget a face mask, one will be provided. This will be an outdoor covered event, and precautions are in place to minimize health risks in accordance with guidance from the state Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Elpidio ‘Pat’ Aquino
Elpidio “Pat” Aquino passed away peacefully on July 8, 2020, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 94. He was a print press operator for Garden Island Publishing and later Printing Services Corporation, from where he retired.
He was born in Koloa on Jan. 28, 1926.
He was preceded in death by parents M. Quirino Aquino and Clara Unday Aquino, sons Timothy Aquino and Dominic Aquino, grandson Shaun Angel Aquino, brothers Benjamin, Wenceslao “Winky” and Rudy, and sisters Fely Begonia, Trinidad Pagador and Katherine Lavilla.
He is survived by wife of 64 years Elizabeth Remata Aquino, son Myles (Darnell) Aquino, daughters Celeste (Edgar) Rivera and Wanda (Michael) Lazaro, daughter-in-law Lorlina Aquino, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, brothers Demetrio “Don” Aquino and Dennis (Anita) Aquino, sisters Mercy (David) Remata, Nadia (Pablo) Sarmiento and Dinah (Wally) Tavares, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service including family visitation and a Catholic service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at Garden Island Mortuary. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, masks are mandatory and social distancing is required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lucia Arzadon Valentin
Lucia Valentin, 96, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2020, at her son’s home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She was born on March 22, 1924, in Tayum, Abra, Philippines. At 2 she and her mother immigrated to Kaua‘i, joining her father here. After high school she went to a Business College in Honolulu. It was in Honolulu she met her future husband, Adelino Valentin Sr. They were married Jan. 15, 1944.
She was a hard worker and worked most of her career in accounting and office management in Honolulu, Bangkok, Thailand and Guam. She and Adelino retired in 1986 back on Kaua‘i.
She was preceded in death by parents Braulio and Eusebia Arzadon, husband Adelino Valentin Sr., daughter Delia Valentin and sister Rosalina Arzadon. She is survived by son Adelino (Suzanne) Valentin Jr., grandsons Marc Valentin of Hawai‘i, Kevin (Heather) Skaer, Nathan (Cara) Valentin and Adam Valentin, all of Colorado, three great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter, sister Pacita Jimenez, brothers John Arzadon and Tony Arzadon, and many nieces and nephews.
She had a profound love for the Lord and was active in church no matter where they lived. She had a strong prayer life clear unto the end. She had a gift of giving to others. She loved playing the piano and organ for church services and weddings. She loved to travel, which took her to many places in the world. After retirement, she and Adelino volunteered for the American Red Cross, helping in many U.S. disasters including 9/11 in New York City.
She was a beautiful, smart, amazing and generous woman who had an extraordinary life. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held on Kaua‘i when it is safe to travel.
Dominador Garcia Tolentino Jr.
Dominador Garcia Tolentino Jr. of Puhi, also called “Domi” or “Junior,” passed away on June 24, 2020, at his home at the age of 42. He was born in Waimea on Dec. 1, 1977. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as an infantryman. After leaving his military life, he dedicated the next nine-plus years of his life to being a caregiver to his parents and grandmother until their passing. He was well-known for his loving and giving heart.
He was preceded in death by parents Dominador Sr. and Cornelia Tolentino, sister Joyce Tolentino and maternal grandmother Cresencia Cabradilla.
He is survived by siblings Juliet (Simon) Rosa, Mildred (Wendell) Polk, Evelyn (Kip) Baker, Anita (Kelly) Reubens, Susan Tolentino, Demetrio Tolentino, Anthony (Amber) Tolentino, Ofelia (Derek) Adversario, nephews Jerell, Dominick, Mateo, Braden, Trevor, Luke, and Matthew, nieces Zena, Joyce, Qiana and Kira, grandniece Lyrica, and grandnephew Chanson.
A celebration of life will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Clint Mashtaka Del Conte
Clint Mashtaka Del Conte passed away on July 6, 2020, at the age of 57, at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born on Nov. 14, 1962, in Tokyo. He was a mechanic.
He is survived by brother Arnold Koji Del Conte of Colorado Springs, Colorado, nephews Derek Del Conte of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Joshua Del Conte of Hanapepe and Jared Del Conte of Koloa.
Services will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roselind Barbara Bulatao Franklin
Roselind Barbara Bulatao Franklin passed away on July 18, 2020, at the age of 82, in ‘Oma‘o, at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home. She was born on May 2, 1938, in Koloa. She was an educator.
She was preceded in death by father Jose Bulatao Sr. and mother Guadalupe Bulatao.
She is survived by sons Kelly (Helen) Franklin of Hanalei, Buddy (Sandra) Franklin of Kekaha, daughter Toni (Robert) Fahnestock of Boulder City, Nevada, grandchildren Matthew Fahnestock, Tanner Franklin, Justin Franklin, Ande Franklin, Gabriel Franklin and Adrianna Franklin, brother Jose Bulatao Jr. of Kekaha, sisters Millicent (Duke) Wellington of ‘Ele‘ele, Mabel Jean (Jackson) Odo of Kalaheo, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The date of the service will be announced at a later date due to COVID-19.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Che Esteban ‘Che Boy’ Granda
Che Esteban “Che Boy” Granda passed unexpectedly on July 8, 2020, at the age of 31, in Marysville, California.
He was born Oct. 3, 1988 on Kaua‘i, where he spent many happy years surrounded by family and friends. He also spent several happy years in Minnesota and California. He was known for his kindness, sweetness, witty humor and infectious enthusiasm for simple joys. He struggled with addiction and mental illness. His talents were many, including carpentry, woodworking, art and baking desserts. He dored his pet dogs and cats, music, and spending time in nature.
He is survived by father David Granda, mother Marghee Maupin, stepfather Pat Gegen, sister Chia Granda and her two sons Ahanu and Apollo Truong, brother Sierra Edison (Natalie Edison), sister Melosa Granda, brother Cassidy (Anahita Sheikh-ol-Eslami) Granda, sister Marquita (Royce Kurihara) Granda and sister Olivia Gegen. He also has extended family and friends from coast to coast who will miss him.
