Carolina ‘Kalena’ Santos
Carolina “Kalena” Santos, 88, of Kekaha, joined the Lord in heaven July 4, 2021, in the comfort of her home, with her loved ones by her side.
She was born to the late Matias Mayo Sr. and Remedios Particio, on Oct. 12, 1932, in Koloa. She graduated from Kaua‘i High School and later became the co-owner of Traveler’s Den Restaurant in 1967 with the love of her life Jeronimo “Jerry” Frank Santos. Jerry would say Carol possesses the sterling qualities he cherished in a woman. Together they traveled the world and effortlessly served their Kekaha community and the people of Kaua‘i with Carol’s remarkable cooking.
She went on to pursue her passion for sugar art with her renowned elegant cakes and represented the state at the Bicentennial Cake Decorating Contest in Monroe, Michigan, where she amazingly won fourth place.
She served as an International Cake Exploration Society director from 1976-1981 and hosted the First International Cake Exploration Society Show in Hawai‘i with Jerry by her side in 1978. Her greatest accomplishment was during the aftermath of Hurricane ‘Iwa when she prepared and served over 9,000 meals free of charge to the residents of Kaua‘i at their Traveler’s Den Restaurant.
She was the devoted wife of 76 years to the late Jerry Santos. She is survived by children Frank (Gene), Lynn (Robert) and Kerry (Michelle), hanai son Edward, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Frankie (Renee), Ariel (Ku‘ulei), Raquel (Andrew), Joshua, Monica (Richard), Jaquelyn (Dre), Kanani (Victoria), Christine, Matthew, Kalei (Gina), Tiare (Maeli), Jayven, Kaedyn, Kiyani, Liann (Gary), Haley, Annalyn, Gary, Qiana, Keala (Brandy), Keara, Prima (Steven), JJ (Bronte), Maliyah, Noah, Khya, Shanelle (Ku‘i), Anuhea (Juni), Aleigha, Lawakua, Cullen (Lacy), Galen (Kiana), Lexcy, Kenui, Nakoa, Kayle (Ana), Kayzen, Keegan, Kalehua (Joe), Kaua, Jamie (Brycen), Bryce, Telissa (Kekoa), Mahina and Hulali, great-great-grandchildren Kamalu, Kaizo, Nohealani, Faith, Guinevere, George, Samuel, Lennox, Zoe, Isla, Jeremiah, Kysen, Mason, Haven, Peyton and Akela, siblings Donald (Kathy), Patricia (Claybourn) and Beverly, and numerous family members and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by parents Matias (Edith) and Remedios (Stanley), husband Jerry, granddaughter Raylynn, and siblings Matias Jr., Antony, Victoriana, Geraldo and Miriam Ann.
She was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. As she reached her time of passing she would say “I lived a good life.”
Viewing and prayer service will be held at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary in Koloa on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m.
Susan C. Nilsen
Susan C. Nilsen, of Princeville, passed away at home on July 10, 2021, surrounded by her husband and two children. Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she passed at the age of 77. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend, avid sailor, cook and volunteer, as well as a retired entrepreneur in the marine-hardware industry.
She is survived by husband Peter, daughter Michelle, son Christopher, sisters Chana and Judy, and cousins, nieces and grandchildren.
The family will be holding a private celebration of life at a later date.
Laura ‘Lala’ Rene Bigno
Laura “Lala” Rene Bigno’s sunrise was Sept. 24, 1958, in Woodland, California. Her sunset was May 18, 2021, on Hawai‘i Island.
She was preceded in death by parents Doyle Redmill and Lois Keith, brother Terry Redmill and grandson Tyler Bigno.
She is survived by loving husband Jonathan “Cugita” Bigno, son Keoni, hanai daughters Jackie and Cora, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, sisters Donna Knapp of Arizona, Wendy (Rory) Johnson of Washington and Linda (Rodney) Bargamento of Kaua‘i.
A kanakapila celebration of life is Sunday, July 25, at noon at the Anahola River mouth. The family requests wearing purple, her favorite color.
Linda Michiko Kobayashi
Linda Michiko Kobayashi, 79, of Kapa‘a, passed away on July 9, 2021. She was born in Honolulu on June 21, 1942, and worked at Vicki’s Fabrics in sales.
She was preceded in death by husband Gary Kobayashi Sr.
She is survived by daughter Teri (Dan) Nakamoto, son Gary Kobayashi Jr., sisters Sylvia Castillo and Roberta Izuka, grandchildren Brandan (Sarah) Schoenfeld-Nakamoto and Jessie-Lynn (Kevin) Paul, and great-granddaughter Mila Michiko Paul.
The family has requested a private service.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joshua Jon Costa
Joshua Jon Costa, of Honolulu, unexpectedly passed away at home on Sept. 15, 2020, at the age of 42. He was born on Aug. 17, 1978, in Lihu‘e, and was a construction estimator.
He was preceded in death by father Edward J “Caldine” Costa.
He is survived by mother Rosita E. Costa of Kapolei, O‘ahu, sisters Edwina (Randy) Simao of Hanapepe, Rowena (Scot) Jimenez of Ko Olina, O‘ahu, Rosette (Warren) Bradshaw of Ko Olina, O‘ahu, nephews Caleb (Deanna) and Nathaniel, nieces Sheena and Shaylah (Denzell), and numerous family members and friends.
The family has requested a private service.
Freddie Maximo
Freddie Maximo, 72, of Lihu‘e, passed away on July 7, 2021. He was born in Lihu‘e on Jan. 19, 1949, and was a self-employed accountant.
He was preceded in death by parents Eliceo and Marcela Maximo, sister Terrisita Maximo and brother Michael Aaron Maximo.
He is survived by sisters Doris Pina, Linda (Eddie) StaAna of Temecula, California, Leona (Sixto) Tagupa of Puhi and Frances Maximo, hanai sister Lisa (Adam Millard) Bernabe, nephew Michael Miranda, nieces Danielle (Tyler) Kluender of California, Brooke Tagupa of Arizona, Jennifer (Eric) Miller of Minnesota and Kelly (Joe) Tagupa of Puhi, grand-nephews Jackson and Logan Kluender of California, and grand-nieces Rita and Eleanor Miller of Minnesota.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 24, at Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Mass at 10 a.m. Social distancing and face masks are required.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
George G. Costa Jr.
George G. Costa Jr. passed away on July 6, 2021, at the age of 91. He was born on Feb. 1, 1930, in Honolulu. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired as a major in the Kaua‘i Police Department.
He was a humble man with many talents that he shared with his sons, their families and friends. He loved his Cummings ‘ohana and was an accomplished musician in his own right. He was also a skilled craftsman, artist and excellent golfer.
He was preceded in death by wife Sunshyne Kahalelehua Rodrigues Costa, parents George G. Sr., Julia Pua‘ohi Cummings Kawamura, stepfather Louis Garcia, sister Barbara Jean Kealohilani Ellis and brother Albert Dennis Kealoha Costa.
He is survived by wife Gladys Ann Souza Costa, sons George Kapiolehua ‘Dennis’ (Chrystal) Costa of Kapa‘a, Byron Willis Kealoha ‘Kaina’ (Jules) Costa of Kapa‘a, Ian Kananiokalani (Wanda) Costa, Evan Kainoa (Lisa) Costa of Kapa‘a, stepchildren Wende Shires, Bobby (Trish) Shires Jr. and Michelle Shires Poppe, sister Mary Louise Leina‘ala De Carlo, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 24, at Borthwick Mortuary in Koloa, with viewing and visitation with the family at 8 a.m. with service to follow.
Seating is limited and social distancing and face masks are required. The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Burial will be at the Kaua’i Veteran’s Cemetery in Hanapepe following the funeral services.
The family of the late George G. Costa, Jr. would like to extend their sincere mahalo nui loa to everyone who expressed their kind thoughts, sympathy, prayers, support and kokua to make this celebration memorable.
Lamberto P. Aqui Jr.
Lamberto P. Aqui Jr., 83, of Kapa‘a, passed away at home on April 14, 2020. He was born in Kealia on Oct. 26, 1936, and owned Lambert’s Appliance Services.
He was preceded in death by parents Lamberto Sr. and Francisca Aqui, sister Patricia Tiner, brothers Christopher Aqui and Angel Aqui, and granddaughter Tia Alohilani Obrero.
He is survived by son Mark (Christine) Aqui, daughters Sandra Aqui and Michelle Lopes, sister Corinne (Blair) Peterson, grandchildren Eric, Ailana, Makana and David Aqui, Brent and Kayli Obrero, Jordan Lee, Kaina Christian, Kelani Griep, Tyler, Bradley, Kapono, Kamaile and Nainoa Lopes, great-grandchildren Noeau Peters-Aqui, Kaya and Kaz Obrero, Mia and Milo Blackstad, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 24, St. Catherine Church. Visitation with the family begins at 8:30 a.m. with services at 9:30 a.m.
