Katie Ilima Lotu
Katie Ilima Lotu was born on March 24, 1972 in Kailua, O‘ahu. She moved to Kaua’i in 1973, where she lived until 2005
She found her soulmate for life at the age of 24 when she married Kiha Kinney in 1996. Together, they raised five children. From Anahola, she made Las Vegas her home from 2005 to 2021. Her home became home for many Kaua‘i youth who ventured to Las Vegas in the hopes of making a life for themselves where opportunities were endless.
She was always a high-energy person who loved connecting with her ‘ohana and friends near and far.
She championed many career opportunities while in Las Vegas, from the airline industry to home health care and retail customer service. She created her village, and her friends became her family.
Her greatest passion was the love she had for her grandchildren. She spent most of her spare time with La‘ie, JJ and Cassian, who lived in Las Vegas. She would FaceTime her grandchildren Kamekona, Joli and Joella on Kaua‘i often. Her kindness and thoughtfulness will be dearly missed by all who have been touched by her warmth and love.
Private services will be held by the family.
Helen Mildred Coffman
Helen Mildred Coffman of Lawa‘i passed away on Aug. 15, 2021, at the age of 90, at Wilcox Medical Center, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born on June 10, 1931 in Lahaina, Maui, and moved to Kaua‘i in 1959 with her husband. She was a hard worker and devout Jehovah’s Witness, raising four children and working daily on the family farm.
She was preceded in death by parents Thomas Ritchie Gentry and Ada Mildred Scott, husband Richard Coffman and sister Pat Horton.
She is survived by brothers Ritchie (Mary) Gentry of San Diego and Jock (Jolene) Gentry of Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i Island, children Linda (Keith) Silva of Kalaheo, Laura (Ralph) Owens of O‘ahu, Lana Coffman of Lawa‘i and Spencer Coffman of Lawa‘i, grandchildren Keri Silva and Zachary Silva, both of Kalaheo, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be held privately by the family.
Linda F. Fujita
Linda F. Fujita, born March 10, 1941 in Lihu‘e, passed away of natural causes at the age 80 in Waipahu, O‘ahu, on March 25, 2021.
She graduated from Kaua‘i High School in 1959 and Colorado State University in 1963. After returning to Hawai‘i, she became a teacher for the state, and taught at Waimanalo Intermediate and Kalaheo High School on O‘ahu. She retired from teaching in 1996 and spent her time baking and traveling, and watching Korean dramas.
She was preceded in death by father Elmer Fujita, mother Hanako Iwamoto Fujita, and sisters Lurene (Yoshio) Ota and Barbara (Dan) Funamura.
She is survived by brother Calvin Fujita.
Services will be held on O‘ahu at a future date.
