Obituaries for Friday, February 11, 2022

Jeanalyn S. Abella

Jeanalyn S. Abella passed away at home on Jan. 23, 2022, at the age of 42. She was born in the Philippines on Aug. 26, 1979. She was a business owner.

She was preceded in death by her father Hilario Sotelo and son Dennial Abella.

Jeanalyn is survived by her husband Dennis Abella, sons Ian Dave Sotelo, David Abella, mother Leticia Rangunjan, numerous sisters and brothers.

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary Chapel, Koloa. Visitation is at 10 a.m. followed by service at 11:30 a.m. and burial at 1 p.m. at Kalapaki Bay Memorial Park, Lihu‘e. Due to COVID-19 restrictions seating is limited. Masks and social distancing is required.

Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Adolf Befurt

Born – July 8, 1936 Died – Dec. 3, 2021

On Friday, December 3rd, Adolf Befurt slipped out of his earthly body to travel freely again amidst the starlight, ocean currents, and astral planes. He was 85. A dedicated father, devoted grandfather, and successful Kaua’i business owner, Adolf – affectionately referred to as Opa for the last 21 years – embodied the immigrant’s American Dream. A childhood survivor of the ravages of World War II, Adolf arrived in the United States with little English and less money. He applied his experience as a youthful auto body apprentice in Germany to become a manager at an industrious auto body operation in Honolulu and later as the successful owner of Adolf’s Auto Body in Lihu‘e where he was dedicated to providing kama’aina with the highest service and care.

Before making the Garden Island his forever home, Adolf spent seasons as a lumberjack, miner, and the celebrated cook on a fishing boat off Ketchikan, Alaska. He weathered many storms in life, both real and metaphorical, but he navigated them with great physical and spiritual fortitude. His daily rituals included communing with nature and meditating on the blessings of his family, friends, and ancestors. Adolf believed strongly in self-reliance, personal freedom, family and the enduring power of love. He valued art, music, beauty, and the natural world – especially the island of Kaua’i. Those who had the gift of knowing him, knew how much he loved to talk story and that he felt indebted to share his wisdom and good fortune with others. A mensch by every description, Adolf helped those in need – often in critical and unexpected ways. Later in life he was a philanthropist who gave generously to local schools and Hawaiian cultural efforts.

Adolf Befurt is survived, remembered and beloved by his son Adrian, his daughter-in-law Elizabeth, his grandchildren Wyatt and Lauden, and his sisters Gerta and Elisabeth as well as his nephews Andre, Oliver, and Sasha and his niece Sylvia.

Stories and pictures can be emailed to: adrianjebef@yahoo.com

Aloha, a hui hou.