Mildrene Swan
Mildrene Swan, of The Villages, Florida, was called home by God on Sept. 5, 2021. Mildrene passed away suddenly while traveling in Las Vegas. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 12, 1944, to William and Mildred Wishart. She was preceed in death by her parents and brother William.
Mildrene is survived by her loving husband Frank Harman, with whom she shared 34 blessed years of marriage, sisters Kari Bornemann and husband Fred, Marlene Chaff and husband Rick, and Beige Wishart and husband Sidney James.
Mildrene graduated from East Detroit High School in 1961 and earned her teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1965.
She taught special education for 28 years in New Jersey and in Beverly, Massachusetts. She brought such inspiration and loving energy to her students, and was very involved with the Special Olympics program. In 1990 Mildrene represented the Edwards School of Beverly, Massachusetts and traveled to Washington, DC to accept the National Exemplary School Award from First Lady Barbara Bush.
She enjoyed working closely with her husband at their restaurant, The White Rainbow, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, until 1996.
After retiring and selling the restaurant, she and Frank began a new adventure in 1997 when they moved to Princeville, where they lived for 24 amazing years! While on Kaua‘, Mildrene resumed teaching as a substitute and private tutor.
She was a long time member of Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei, where she was a member of the church choir, taught Sunday School, initiated a Sunday School program that sponsored two disadvantaged children through Compassion International, created and taught at a church-supported after-school reading program for children with reading disabilities, was on the church’s Executive Board, and faithfully attended a weekly woman’s Bible Study. She truly loved everything about Hawai‘i and was a living example of the aloha spirit!
Mildrene loved taking cruises, traveling anywhere and everywhere, always looking for an adventure. She loved Hawaiian music, tending to her orchids, flower arranging, and especially enjoyed entertaining people in her home.
Simply, Mildrene just loved life to its fullest! She will be remembered by those who knew her as one of the kindest, most sincere people there was. Her firm foundation of faith and gentile spirit was a bright light and an inspiration. She was deeply loved by all her family and friends, and will never be forgotten. She truly lived her faith!
In December, after Frank retired, they began another new life together when they moved to The Villages, Florida, to enjoy retirement, travel and leisure! At Mildrene’s request, there will be a celebration of life at Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church, P.O. Box 231, Hanalei, HI 96714.
Patricia Primero Beach
Patricia Primero Beach of Copperas Cove, Texas, passed away on Sept. 13, 2021, at the age of 72. She was born in Lihu‘e on June 5, 1949. She was a 1967 graduate of Kapa‘a High School and retired from the AAFES after 37 years.
She was preceded in death by husband of 48 years Javonne Beach (deceased Aug. 29, 2021), her mother Beatrice Nawanao, and stepfather Francisco Nawanao.
She is survived by daughters Dawn Lgessig of San Antonio, Texas and Von Casto of Copperas Cove, Texas, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, sisters Beverly Primero of Kapa‘a, Linda Lopez of Hilo, Hawai‘i Island, brother Felix Primero of Lancaster, California, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandnephews and grandnieces.
Services were held in Copperas Cove, Texas on Sept. 21, 2021. Burial will be at Arlington Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Linda Lopez, 517 Ho‘opuni St., Hilo, HI 96720.
Aloha sister Pat and brother Joe. We love you.
Richard Kenji Maeda
Richard Kenji Maeda, 87, passed away on Sept. 4, 2021, in San Diego. He was a retired contractor and president of Kaua‘i Builders, Ltd.
Born in Lihu‘e on Oct. 29, 1933, he grew up on Kaua‘i with his older brother, Tetsuro “Rosy,” and his younger sister Jane, alongside many cousins.
He attended Washington State University and pursued a career in civil engineering. After his father’s death, he returned to Kaua‘i to help run the family business, Kaua‘i Builders, Ltd. He eventually took the lead as president of the company when his brother, Rosy, passed away.
He was an active community member, serving in organizations such as the Lions Club and on various boards and commissions throughout the years. An avid golfer, he could be found almost every weekend at Wailua Golf Course.
After losing his older daughter, Cathy, to leukemia in 2009, he and his wife, Yukie, vowed to support medical and cancer research organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Be The Match.
In his semi-retirement, they moved to San Diego to live closer to family. His wife of 50 years, Yukie, passed away in 2019. The highlights of his final years centered around his time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents Tsugie and Itsuzo Maeda, brother Rosy Maeda, wife Yukie Maeda and daughter Catherine Stibbard.
He is survived by daughter Sandra (Guy) Oshiro of San Diego, son in-law John Stibbard, grandchildren Jaime Stibbard, Colin Stibbard, Sarina Oshiro and Julia Oshiro, sister Jane Morioka, sister-in-law Bessie Maeda, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on Kaua‘i at a later date when it is safe to travel again. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts). Condolences can be sent to 12177 Salix Way, San Diego, CA 92129.
Doris Kashiwai
Doris Kashiwai, 87, of Hanapepe, passed away on Jan. 3, 2021.
She was preceded in death by husband Stanley “Sabit” Kashiwai.
She is survived by son Duane, daughters LeeAnn and Lynn (Fred DeCann), sister Iris Sumida and granddaughter Leia.
A memorial service to celebrate her life is Saturday, Oct. 16, at Garden Island Mortuary, with a walk-thru visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Burial at Hanapepe Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery will follow. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, face masks and social distancing are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
John Randall ‘Randy’ Stauber
John Randall “Randy” Stauber passed away peacefully in Wilcox Medical Center, with his loving wife Zeya at his side, on Sept. 27, 2021, at the age of 81.
He was born on Dec. 2, 1939, in Chicago, to William R. and Ruth D. Stauber. His grandfather William E. Stauber was one of the founders of Ace Hardware in 1924, and at the age of 10, Randy’s family moved to Waukegan, Illinois, where Randy eventually owned and operated an Ace Hardware for over 50 years.
Randy was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and enjoyed attending games at Wrigley Field and spring training in Arizona. Randy was a generous sponsor of the Waukegan youth baseball club. Randy also loved opera and regularly attended the Chicago Opera House.
After retiring, Randy and Zeya lived in Lake Forrest and enjoyed exploring the world together. After many trips to the Hawaiian islands, Randy and Zeya made Kaua‘i their home in 2018. They have many good friends and shared fun times with their neighbors on Kaua‘i’s South Shore.
Randy was precede in death by father William and mother Ruth. He is survived by wife Zeya, brother Bill (Suzanne), stepsons Jimmy (Eli, Jimmy and Michael) and Yosef (Nil, Alis and Edis), and nephews Bill (Mary, William, and Keean) and Jeff (Lillian, Catherine and Michael).
Randy will be remembered fondly for his wit, kindness and generosity. Randy Stauber was one in a million and will be missed by his family and friends.
Services are private.
Carol ‘C.J.’ Groves
Carol “C.J.” Groves, of Kapa‘a, passed away at home on Sept. 22, 2021, at the age of 78.
He was born in Calhoun, Kentucky on Dec. 14, 1942. He was a retired business manager and served in the U.S> Navy.
He was preceded in death by parents Carroll and Opal Groves and son Trent Ferguson.
He is survived by wife Helen Groves, sons Donny (Kellie) Groves and David Groves and two grandchildren.
His celebration of life will be private.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
