Obituaries for Sunday, January 17, 2021

Howard Kalani Frasco

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Howard Kalani Frasco. At 50, he passed peacefully at Straub Hospital in Honolulu on Dec. 10, 2020. He was surrounded by his wife Kim, son Bradley, and daughters Brooke, Hallie, Khloe and Mehana, along with his mom Barbara Frasco, brothers Herbie and Brandon, and in-laws Buddie and Gail Ayudan.

He was also surrounded in spirit, thoughts and prayers by many of his ‘ohana and friends. He was born in Waimea on Nov. 3, 1970, to the late Herbert (Chico) and Barbara Frasco, and was the second of four children.

He was a proud graduate of Kekaha School, Waimea Canyon and Waimea High School’s Class of 1988. He ventured to Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, where he earned his HVAC certification. He worked in the engineering department for Westin Kauai before moving to Hilo to follow his true love. There, he worked at Suisan Company, Ltd. After returning to Kaua‘i, he worked in the engineering department at Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club and Lawa‘i Beach Resort.

He also worked for Honeywell and Sears appliance. He was employed and later became franchise owner of Mr. Appliance Kaua‘i for 10 years, and most recently the owner of Makana Appliance Repair.

He was a man who loved his family most of all, and would do anything for them. Family and friends described him as kind-hearted, fun-loving and full of aloha. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, being a forever Raiders fan, and a proud hula husband and dad. He was often seen on the field coaching youth baseball for Kekaha, Hanapepe and Hilo, as well as for Kekaha Pop Warner Football Association and girls youth softball.

He was preceded in death by dad Chico, grandparents Sebiro Frasco, Louise (Kaulukou) and Phillip Aguilar, and grandparents Damiano and Akala (Ho‘opi‘i) Lazaro.

He is survived by wife Kimberly (Ayudan) Frasco, son Bradley (Kaiemi Moniz), daughters Brooke, Hallie, Khloe and Mehana, mother Barbara (Lazaro) Frasco, siblings Herbie, Barbie Jo and Brandon (Angela), in-laws Buddie and Gail Ayudan, Buddy and Mel Ayudan, Chelsie and John Ruiz, and numerous uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life public drive-by visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center, beginning at 4 p.m. A drive-In and live-stream virtual service follows from 6 to 7 p.m. All pandemic rules will be in full effect — social distancing and masks are required. Please remain in vehicles.

Nu‘uanu Memorial Park & Mortuary and Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd. are assisting the family with arrangements.

James ‘Kunz’ Vernon Kunane Ka‘auwai

James “Kunz” Vernon Kunane Ka‘auwai, 57, of Kapa‘a, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He was born in Lihu‘e on Nov. 25, 1963, and worked as a heavy equipment operator.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter Kayla Ka‘auwai, grandparents Kaluna Ka‘auwai and Daisy Contrades Ka‘auwai, and mother-in-law Alice Oliveira.

He is survived by wife Kehaulani Ka‘auwai of Kapa‘a, mother Annette Ku‘uipoaloha Ka‘auwai of Anahola, his eldest children shared with Elizabeth Ho‘oikaika, sons James Kekoalauli‘i Ho‘oikaika of Anahola and Byron Keala Ka‘auwai-Ho‘oikaika of Honolulu, daughters Jaimelyn Ka‘auwai-Ho‘oikaika of Anahola and Seanne Ka‘auwai-Ho‘oikaika of Anahola, hanai son Jonathan Mahoe Poe-Ho‘oikaika of Anahola, younger children shared with Kehaulani Ka‘auwai, sons Landon Demello-Oliveira of Kapa‘a, Tyler Ka‘auwai of Anahola and Tryten Ka‘auwai of Kapa‘a, and daughter Shaylen Demello-Oliveira of Koloa, brothers Ross Teraoka of Kapa‘a and Arthur (Meagan) Rice of Kalaheo, sister Laurinette Masako (Eric) Fujimoto of Hanama‘ulu, brothers-in-law Troy (Kaui) Oliveira of Waikoloa and Kaohu Oliveira of Hilo, father-in-law James (Mercy) Oliveira of Hilo, grandchildren Bryden, Brysen, Branden, Bronsen, Lilinoe and Kailee Ka‘auwai, Leianaokekai Poe-Ho‘oikaika, Kaleb Lemalu, Ayden Lopes, Kapua Yamamoto and Ace-Lawai‘a Ka‘auwai, numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

John Christopher Hunt

John Christopher Hunt passed away Jan. 7, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Los Angeles, among an array of sevens — born 7/7/47 at 7:17 a.m.

He attended schools in San Marino, California from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1965. Moving to Malibu, California, he continued his passions for surfing, tennis, his Porsche 911 and his bass guitar.

His interest in his guitar soon lead him into being the road manager for several groups, including Spirit and Albert Hammond. As the “roadie,” he traveled extensively across America and internationally.

After several years of travel, he returned to Southern California. He soon became a founding member of a new band — the Surf Punks. As the bass guitarist, he joined Dennis Dragon and Drew Steel to form a surf band that still has a cult following even today.

But the allure of Kaua‘i was strong, and he followed several high school friends to the Garden Island. He married on Kauai and soon had the light of his life, his daughter Amy.

His musicianship brought him into a number of island bands, notably The Blonde Boys, The Shakers and The Take Offs.

Along the way, he developed his second career as a sound engineer, working many hotel conventions, mayor’s prayer breakfasts, Kilohana lu‘au, weddings and stadium concert events. His company, Shoreline Sound, was one of the most prominent sound companies on the island.

After surviving both Hurricanes ‘Iwa and ‘Iniki, he built his dream home in the heights of Lawa‘i. With stunning ocean views and lush landscaping, he enjoyed his piece of paradise until his passing.

He was broadly loved by so many on Kaua‘i, known as a fun companion and a generous, gentle soul.

He is survived by daughter Amy Hunt Hodel, son-in-law Love Hodel and grandson Haven Hodel, sister and brother-in-law Vicki and Dave Schindele and by his three Schindele nephews, along with his cousin John Ward Hunt and family.

Memorial services will be planned for a later time.

Eugenia Geronimo Villanueva

Eugenia Geronimo Villanueva, 49, of Lihu‘e, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. She was born in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, and was a teacher’s aide at Lihue Hongwanji Preschool.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Macario and Epieugenia del Rosario, paternal grandparents Teodorico and Feliciana Geronimo, nephew Angel Dureg, niece Angela Dureg, mother-in-law Leona Villanueva and uncle Alfredo Villanueva.

She is survived by husband Tito Villanueva, daughters Jessica (Austin) Villanueva and Jenny Anne (Raiden) Villanueva, son Ty Villanueva, parents Delfin Geronimo and Victoria Del Rosario Geronimo, siblings Maria (Danillo) Coloma, Ana Margarita (Crispin) Lugod, David (Nova) Geronimo, Shirley (Darwin) Dureg and Roderick Geronimo, brother-in-law Leonard (Lilet) Villanueva, sister-in-law Jane (Chad) Narimatsu, father-in-law Leocadio Villanueva, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life is Saturday, Jan. 23, at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, with viewing from 10 a.m. to noon. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.

Face masks and social distancing are required.

Teresita ‘Tessie’ Llapitan Kouchi

Teresita “Tessie” Llapitan Kouchi passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2020, at the age of 69.

She was born in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on Oct. 6, 1951. She was employed as a housekeeper supervisor at Poipu Kai. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and crafts like crocheting and sewing, and continued to enjoy those things her whole life.

She was preceded in death by parents Aniceto and Precila Llapitan.

She is survived by husband Edward K. Kouchi, brothers Leonardo (Leonora) Llapitan and Eduardo (Alma) Llapitan, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Services will be held at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. A private burial will be at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m.

Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kiyoshi Yoshii

Kiyoshi Yoshii, 96, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Aug. 22, 2020, at home. He was born in Ko‘olau on Jan. 5, 1924, and was a retired welding instructor at Kaua‘i Community College.

He was preceded in death by siblings Hiroki Yoshii and Sumiko Kawamoto.

He is survived by spouse Kazuko Yoshii, children Carol (Dean) Tano and Audrey (Marvin) Awaya, brothers Frank (Gladys) Yoshii and Wallace Yoshii, sister Dorothy Kimura, grandchildren Bryce (McKee) Tano (children Aubree, Sanae, Bryson and Caylee, Mika (Justin) Lumen (children Olivia, Chloe and Theo), Chiemi (Joshua) Vande Merwe (children Taiyo and Aoki, Mayumi (Dean Park) Tano (children Leonidas and Aurelius) and Jarem Tano, granddog Kuma and other nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services were held through the assistance of Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.