Esperanza A. Juan
Esperanza A. Juan passed away on May 21, 2021, at the age of 90, in Lihu‘e.
She was born on Feb. 14, 1931, in the Philippines. She was a laundry attendant.
She was preceded in death by husband Bernardo Juan.
She is survived by daughters Nora (Samuel) Corpuz of Puhi and Nida (Raymundo) Barroga of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Raven Corpuz, Berniece DeLuca, Michelle Kino-Spelman and Branden Barroga, great-grandchildren Olivia Kino-Spelman, David DeLuca and Isaac DeLuca, brother Toribio (Lydia) Abad of Honolulu, sister-In-law Evelyn Cardinez of Kaumakani, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, June 19, with a walk-thru visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and celebration of life to follow.
The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lillian Vasques
On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, our beloved Lillian Vasques passed away at the age of 88 at Kaua‘i Care Center, Waimea.
Known and loved by many, she had a passion for playing music in the church choirs and volunteering at as many of St. Catherine Church events as she could. She would always find a way to help and loved lending a hand. While not playing guitar or volunteering for the church, she loved to garden and was always arranging flowers and making lei. She was a retired travel concierge for Coco Palms Resort, and later volunteered at the Wilcox Medical Center Thrift Shop after Coco Palms closed.
She was preceded in death by parents Frank and Trinda Parraga Sr., brother Frank Parraga Jr., sisters Trinda Kotecki and Helen Machado.
She is survived by husband Manuel Vasques, son David Vasques Sr., sister Sophie Bonilla and grandson David Vasques Jr.
Services are at St. Catherine Church on Saturday, June 12, with visitation at 8 a.m., eulogy to follow and Mass at 9 a.m. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Hiroshi Matsuoka
Hiroshi Matsuoka of ‘Ele‘ele passed away at home on May 17, 2021. He was born in Koloa on July 24, 1926.
He was preceded in death by wife Hiroko Nada Matsuoka, siblings Yoshio Matsuoka, Takeshi Matsuoka, Chisato “Lily” Maeda and “Dora” Takashima.
He is survived by daughters Verna (Kenneth) Nobriga of Puhi and Lisa Matsuoka of O‘ahu, granddaughters Klarisse and Kira Nobriga, great-grandchild Kadyn, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are Saturday, June 12, at the Hanapepe Church of the Nazarene, 4476 Pepe Rd., with visitation from 9:30 a.m. and celebration of life at 10 a.m. COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed.
A private burial will to follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Loren Dinsmore Franklin
Loren Dinsmore Franklin, 86, of Kapa‘a, passed away at home on May 29, 2021. He was born in Washington on March 5, 1935. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he worked as a tour guide, Realtor, salesperson and distributor, and at various entrepreneurial pursuits.
He was preceded in death by parents Arnold and Viva Franklin and grandson Dean Ikaika Brown-Aiwohi.
He is survived by wife Carol Franklin, daughter Toni (Bob) Fahnestock of Nevada, sons Kelly (Helen) Franklin of Hanalei, Buddy (Sandra) Franklin of Kekaha, Boyd (Mariko) Franklin of Lahaina, Maui, Lorrin Aiwohi of Kapahi, Bryan (Akala) Aiwohi of Wailua and Nathan (Leah) Aiwohi of Kapahi, 15 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, sister Mary (Roland) Campos of Florida, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Friday, June 11, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home at noon.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sinamar Amagna Barit
Sinamar Amagna Barit, 85, of Lihu‘e, passed away on April 5, 2021, at Wilcox Medical Center. She was born in Zambales, Philippines, on March 18, 1936. She worked as a certified nursing assistant.
She was preceded in death by son Boyette Amagna.
She is survived by daughters Candy (Doug) Kleven and Cristina Cristobal and grandchildren Alanna Dawn Le Sueur, Pharoah Amagna and Phillip Macutay.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 12, at Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Trudy Mikie Merchant
Trudy Mikie Merchant, age 73, sadly passed away on April 28, 2021, in ‘Ai‘ea, O‘ahu. She was born in Lihu‘e on Jan. 7, 1948, to mother Patsy Fujioka and father Kanao Asaoka.
She is survived by sisters Iris Faria and Ardis Ueki, brother Mark K. Asaoka, children Renee C. Arapoff, Kenneth P.K. Bukoski and Bryson W. Bukoski, grandchildren Kira La Chance, Christian La Chance, Krysti H. Bukoski, James K. Bukoski and Mason Bukoski, and great-grandchildren Zairie L. Bukoski, Zalea H. Bukoski and Zeeani Mikie Bukoski.
She graduated June 3, 1966 from Kauai High School. She was then married to Kenneth Bukoski for her first marriage. She was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed doing anything and everything with her kids.
She went on to become a mini photo lab operator at Qualex (Kodak). She then moved on and became the mini photo lab supervisor at the Navy Exchange on O‘ahu, and there met her surviving husband David Merchant.
She was also a childcare giver to many children throughout her life. She also left behind two pets which she loved, Lizzy (dog) and Eddie (bird).
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96813. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the temple service will be reserved to immediate family, but you may attend by Zoom meeting. Please contact Cheryl Lapointe, 808-351-9599 for the Zoom meeting link or any questions. Burial will be open to the public at Nu‘uanu Memorial Park, 2233 Nu‘uanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817. Bentos and drinks will be provided at the burial service.
Ernell Dagmar Pua‘ala Leong
Ernell Dagmar Pua‘ala Leong passed away on May 21, 2021, from advanced neurological disease. Born Jan. 26, 1942, in Waimea, she was the youngest child of Tai Sum and Priscilla Hualalai Leong.
A proud Kamehameha Schools alum (KSK ‘60), she graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa before a 41-year career with the state Department of Labor. She was a Mahaulu and Leong family historian, avid cook and lover of all things ono.
She is survived by siblings Rexford Leong, Llewellyn (Kay) Leong and Mynnette (John) Sentinella, and now joined in aloha by sister-in-law Dolly and nephews Leland and Kendall.
She could be infamously short on patience (quick to ask out of your car, or to put you out of hers), but so very long on aloha for all who loved her and whom she loved back.
In her greatest times of need, she was kept in Ke Akua’s hands by the family at Analani ARCH (Cora Saludares) and the divine friendship of former colleagues Arthur Barba and Sharon Lum. Sistah, Tita, Aunty, Tita wita, Ernella, Ernie and Ernell, by whichever name we knew her, her bond was our earthly blessing.
A remembrance for family and friends will be held in the near future. Condolence messages and inquiries can be directed to Kent Sentinella at: k_sentinella@yahoo.com.
Daniel Villanueva Ballaibe
Daniel Villanueva Ballaibe passed away peacefully at his home in Hanapepe at the age of 105 on May 23, 2021. He was born on June 28, 1915 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
He was preceded in death by parents Maximiano and Honorata Ballaibe, brother Julian, sisters Kusta, Benita and Petronelia Ballaibe and Silvina (Cecilio) Tagatac, grandson Kalen Ballaibe and daughter-in-law Denise Ballaibe.
He is survived by his loving wife Salome (Salud) Ortal Ballaibe, daughters Rose (Malcolm) Doi and Sallie (Kent) Tomimoto, son Rudolph Ballaibe, grandchildren Daniel (Jennifer) Ballaibe, Ky and Kelsey Tomimoto and Noah and Emma Ballaibe, and great-grandchildren Kaya, Koa and Kailani Ballaibe.
He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes to those around him. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, gentle smile and love for his family.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 12, at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary in Koloa, with a walk-thru visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and celebration of life and service to follow. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. Due to COVID 19, masks and social distancing are required.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Billy B. Delos Santos
Billy B. Delos Santos, 55, of Lihu‘e, passed away on May 26, 2021. He was born in Lihu‘e on Feb. 9, 1966, and worked in construction.
He was preceded in death by parents Benigno Sr. and Cristeta Delos Santos and brother Benigno Delos Santos Jr.
He is survived by sisters Criscilia (Randall) Schaal, Normalynn Delos Santos and Adeline “Mona” (Charlie) Balilea, niece Stephanie (Alfredo) Yadao, nephews Shaun Pena, F. Jordan (Kayla) Delos Santos-Balilea and R. Chance Balilea, and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 19, at Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
