Derek Darryl Morita
Derek Darryl Morita passed away on July 21, 2021, at the age of 67, in Waimea. He was born on May 20, 1954, in Honolulu. He was a teacher and businessman.
He was preceded in death by son Dustin Morita, father Edward Morita and brother Ronson Morita.
He is survived by daughters Hi‘ilani Shizuko (Geoff Badua) Morita of O‘ahu and U‘ilani Reiko Morita of O‘ahu, grandchildren Kaeden Ramirez, Kaecen Ramirez and Zaeliah Nunes, mother Shizuko Morita, sister Kelijene (Derek) Tengan of O‘ahu, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins
Services are Saturday, Oct. 2, at Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and celebration of life to follow. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
LuAnn ‘Tootie’ Leialoha SuiLan Aiu
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of LuAnn “Tootie” Leialoha SuiLan Aiu on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. Born on Oct. 11, 1961 on Kaua‘i, Tootie, as she was affectionately known, had grown up there and chose to return to her home for the later part of her life. She retired from the Social Security Administration on Maui.
She was a talented artist and musician, and was beloved by all. She was preceded in death by parents Harold and Juliet Aiu.
She is survived by her partner and love of her life, Jennifer Ching, children Malia (Kona) Kuailani, Jesse Avila and Michaela Tapia, hanai daughter Monique Perriera, mother-in-law Pegi Braun, sister Wendy, brothers Bob (Joc), Joe and Tom, brother-in-law Jeffrey (Avi) Heaukulani, niece and frequent caregiver Mardi Harlow, “other kids,” nieces and nephews Jodi Johnson, Justin Aiu, Tracy Pellazar, Aaron Aiu, Carly Aiu, Micah Aiu, Kylee Richards, Sadie Ansai, Paisley Richards, Isaac Johnson, Logan and Dylan Aiu, and August and Violet Perriera, grandchildren Dallas and Darling Kuailani, and hanai siblings Jerry Nakasone, Lorna Nishimitsu and Charn Hall.
A memorial service is Saturday, Oct. 9, at St. Catherine Church, with viewing from 9 to 10:45 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required.
Richard ‘Rick’ Prowse
Richard “Rick” Prowse, born Dec. 23, 1949, passed away at the age of 70 on Oct. 7, 2020. He was a fisherman, surfer, freediver, boat captain, water safety instructor, lifeguard, first aid and CPR instructor and Junior Lifeguard program coach. He also did volunteer work for the American Red Cross, Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Heart Association and the St. Catherine Church Food Pantry.
He was born and raised in the San Diego beach communities of South Mission, Pacific Beach and La Jolla, where he attended St. Brigid’s Academy and graduated from La Jolla High School in 1968. His dad, Art, was a boater, fisherman and hunter, and had an early influence on Rick’s love of the ocean, boats, and catching fish.
His dad died suddenly when Rick was in grammar school. His mom, Florence (“Sandy”), was a sweet lady, who as a widow raised Rick and his older brother Chris while holding down a fulltime job in the aerospace industry. After high school, Rick traveled throughout Mexico surfing and fishing, and using the Spanish-language skills he developed from managing migrant-farm labor camps in Washington state during asparagus season.
He moved to Hawaii in the mid-1970 and lived on the North Shore of O‘ahu until moving to Kaua‘i in the early 1980s. He taught ocean-rescue and boating-safety classes, and played a role as a leader and coach for Kaua‘i’s first Junior Lifeguard program. He spent many years driving tour boats on Napali Coast during the early days when inflatable boats were first adapted for sightseeing. During his nearly 40 years on Kaua‘i, his bodysurfing prowess achieved legendary status at many of the island’s best surf spots. Tall and lanky, he became known as “Stretch” in the lineup.
He was a kind-hearted soul, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by partner and friend Phyllis Graff, and is survived by his brother Chris Prowse and his niece Corrie Prowse.
A memorial and paddle-out are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 a.m. at ‘Anini Beach Park. Please be prepared to observe all COVID-19 safety and health measures that are in place at that time.
Pacific Beach Mortuary and St. Catherine Church are assisting the family with arrangements.
Delfin Fernandez Geronimo
Delfin Fernandez Geronimo passed away Sept. 16, 2021, at the age of 71, at Straub Medical Center. He was born Oct. 15, 1949, in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He retired as a food preparer at ‘Ele‘ele Big Save.
He was preceded in death by parents Teodorico Felix Geronimo and Feliciana Fernandez Geronimo, brother Felipe Geronimo, daughter Eugenia Geronimo Villanueva, and grandchildren Angela Drueg and Angel Dureg.
He is survived by wife Victoria Del Rosario Geronimo, sons David (Nova) Geronimo of ‘Ele‘ele, Roderick Geronimo of ‘Ele‘ele, son-in-law Tito Villanueva of Hanama‘ulu, daughters Maria (Danilo) Coloma of ‘Ele‘ele, Ana Margarita (Crispin) Lugod of Philippines, Shirley (Darwin) Dureg of ‘Ele‘ele, grandchildren Danielle Marie Coloma, Daisy Coloma, Jessica Villanueva, Jenny Anne Villanueva, Ty Villanueva, Maricris Ritter, Dominic Geronimo, Nadine Geronimo, Ruby Brown, Darvin Dureg, Sherilyn Dureg, Ares Rica Anne Geronimo, Rikaya Anne Geronimo and Amarra Anne Geronimo, brothers Justino (Rebecca) Geronimo of Hilo, Vereno (Vangie) Geronimo of Kaumakani and Marcial (Wilma) Geronimo of ‘Ele‘ele, sisters Norma (Rodrigo) Del Rosario of Washington, Angeles Geronimo Alonzo of Hanama‘ulu, Josephine Geronimo of Kaumakani and Juanita (Steve) Babas of Hilo, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are at Garden Island Mortuary Friday, Oct. 1, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life and then a burial at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19, social distancing, face masks, 10 maximum people indoors and 25 outdoors policies apply.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Antone ‘Tony’ Farias Sr.
Antone “Tony” Farias Sr., of Lihu‘e, unexpectedly passed away at Straub Medical Center on Aug. 30, 2021, at the age of 76. Born on June 8, 1945 in Lihu‘e, Tony was a foreman and heavy-equipment operator for Grove Farm, and later retired as a driver for National Car Rental.
Tony was an avid hunter and fisherman with a passion for the outdoors and craftsmanship. He enjoyed boating down the Niumalu River and fishing at Kalapaki Beach.
He was preceded in death by parents Frank Farias Sr. and Ida Dar, daughter Mary Silva, grandson Bryant “Akoni” Farias-Maghanoy, great-grandson Kainoa Anthony Cross, sister Marie Dar, and brothers Stanford and Dennis Farias.
Tony is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Celeste Farias of Lihu‘e, children Nalei (Norman) Gomes of San Diego, Tony (Rachel) Farias Jr. of Haiku, Maui, Maile (Linda) Farias-Ka‘ahanui of Lihu‘e, Tanya (Gavino) Farias of Lihu‘e, and adoptive son Shane (Vanessa) Farias of Lihu‘e, 15 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A small, private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Dominador P. Velasco
Dominador P. Velasco, 81, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Sept. 13, 2021, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, on Nov. 12, 1939, and worked at Lihu’e Plantation for 22 years.
He was preceded in death by parents Angel and Juana Velasco, brother Jacinto Velasco and sister Basilia Asuncion.
He is survived by wife Carmelita Velasco, children Helen (Mike), Henry (Aileen) Velasco and Heidi (Joe) Diaz, grandchildren Britney, Reina and Troy, and numerous other relatives.
A celebration of life is at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a Saturday, Oct. 23, with viewing beginning at 8:30 a.m. Services will begin at 10 a.m. and burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
