Vernon Lee Kahui‘nalu Kumu‘waina o‘kalani Niau
Vernon Lee Kahui‘nalu Kumu‘waina o‘kalani Niau, 34, of Kaua‘i, passed away on Jan. 9, 2021. He was born on Sept. 29, 1986, on O‘ahu.
He was preceded in death by parents Lillian “Melia” Niau and Lyle Lee Sperry.
He is survived by children Melia Yoshioka-Niau, Elijah Yoshioka and Sanoe Yoshioka-Niau, and brother Kawai Niau.
A safe, outdoor celebration of life will be held at Salt Pond Beach Park on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m., with spreading of ashes to follow.
Leonard Esona Sr.
Leonard Esona Sr., 75, of Las Vegas, passed away at North Las Vegas VA Medical Center on Jan. 16, 2021. He was born on April 15, 1945 in Waimea. He was employed by and retired as a supervisor for Lihu‘e Plantation Company. After his retirement he moved to Las Vegas.
He proudly served his time in the Army in Vietnam. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, outdoor activities of fishing, swimming and gardening, and he was the family barbecue master.
He was preceded in death by parents Leoncio Esona and Isabello and Hilda (Bansole) Arcangel, brother Owen S. Esona, sister Cybil L. Esona and son-in-law Lionel E.K. Gonsalves.
He is survived by wife Yolanda Esona of 46 years, daughters Cesili Gonsalves of Lihu‘e, Nicole (Kenneth) Carvalho of Waimea, Shan (Charlan Mano‘i) Esona of Las Vegas, Kabbie (Aaron) Koshan of Las Vegas, son Leonard Esona Jr of Las Vegas, grandchildren Bryson (Kaira Kupihea) Gonsalves, Alexis Youn-Esona, Trinity Koshan, Kailah Esona, Brianni Higashi, Kiana Carvalho, Sanoe Carvalho, Reef Carvalho, Justin Bonachita-Esona, Cyann Akaji, Kanan Akaji, Diesel Mano‘i, Keli‘i Esona, Kaylee Esona, Kai Esona and Kaleb Esona, great grandchildren Ayva-Marie and Ayden-Brock Gonsalves, loyal and loving furry companion Elu, brothers Steven (Edna) Esona of Wahiawa and Alvin (Agatha) Esona of Waipahu, mother-in-law Consuelo Remigio of Kapa‘a, sisters-in-law Gloria (Dennis) Bonilla of ‘Oma‘o and Lorna Navarro of Lihu‘e, brothers-in-law Ronnie (Sadie) Remigio of Kekaha, Ralph Remigio and Gary (Jennifer) Remigio of Lihu‘e, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at a later date.
Calvin Randolph Eulalio
Calvin Randolph Eulalio, aka “The Poke Man” and “Elvis Impersonator,” 71, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Dec. 31, 2020. He was born in Lihu‘e on May 5, 1949, and was a carpenter.
He was preceded in death by parents Leoncio and Joaquina Eulalio.
He is survived by sons Calvin Eulalio and Levi (Pam) Eulalio, nine grandchildren, sisters Clementine (Pacifico “Pat”) Quel, Lauren Rapozo and Cecilia Isobe, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass will be held at St. Catherine Church at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, with a viewing to follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Kealia Cemetery.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Caridad Pillos Taylan
Caridad Pillos Taylan passed away on Jan. 18, 2021, at the age of 80, at Garden Isle Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Lihu‘e.
She was born on Oct. 29, 1940, in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was a housekeeper at Coco Palms Resort Hotel and a custodian at Kaua‘i High School.
She was preceded in death by husband Jesus Taylan, Sr., father Fernando Pillos, mother Pelagia Balagat Pillos, and brother Alejandrino Pillos.
She is survived by sons Efren (Glory) Taylan of Puhi, Gil Taylan of the Philippines, Jesmel (Teri) Taylan of Hilo, Jesus (Airah) Taylan Jr. of Las Vegas, daughter Nancy (Alex) Cezar of Puhi, grandchildren Joy Fusco, Jennifer Carvalho, Kira Taylan, Travis Taylan, Andrew Cezar, Jessica Cezar, Keiki Goo-Taylan and Kaluka Goo-Taylan, numerous great-grandchildren, brother Conrado (Maria) Pillos Sr. of Puhi, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A walk-thru visitation will take place at Garden Island Mortuary on Friday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rosalie V. Simao
Rosalie V. Simao passed away on Jan. 1, 2021, at the age of 82, in Lihu‘e. She was born on July 21, 1938, in Mapleton, Utah. She was a retired custodial supervisor for the state Department of Transportation Airports Division Lihu‘e, with 28 years of service.
She was preceded in death by parents George H. and Ora Vincent, and brothers Glenn Vincent and James Vincent, all of Utah.
She is survived by sons Zachary (Teri) Simao Sr. of Lawa‘i and Rollin (Evangeline) V. Simao of Lihu‘e, daughters Brenda S. (the late David) Kendall of Utah, Jackie M. Simao of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Doriann (Harry Sr.) Visitation of Lihu‘e, Zachary Simao, Jr. (Thia) of Eleele, Anthony (Tiana) Simao of Hanapepe, Eileen Kendall, Brent (Robyn) Kendall, Christina (Buck) Taylor and Lisa Kendall all of Utah, Isaiah, Abugail, Sharayah and Jesse of Lihu‘e, great-grandchildren Vanessa, Liana, Harry Jr., Kina, Kaydence, Tennacle, Zailanna, Kayla, Mikayla, Nikita, Aaliya, Daimen, Shyanne, Gaige, Braden, Ashley, Faith, Oatyn, Eva and Lily, and expecting two great-great-grandchildren, sisters Joyce V. Daybell of Utah and Carrol V. (Blaine) Dixon of California, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Due to COVID-19, services will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
