Obituaries for Sunday, March 13, 2022
Joaquin Costa Ayres Jr.
Joaquin Costa Ayres Jr.
Joaquin Costa Ayres Jr. passed away on Feb. 19, 2022, at Wilcox Medical Center, at the age of 65. Throughout his life he worked as a heavy equipment operator/mechanic alongside his father Joaquin Sr.
He was preceded in death by parents Emmaline Ah You Costa Ayres, Joaquin Costa Ayres Sr., sister Cherle (Ipo) Tanabe Kaholokula and grandnephew Austin Barretto.
He is survived by daughter Cherisse (David Lillie) Zaima, grandsons Rayden and Cyan Bonilla, nieces Sonya Barretto Stoll, Lori Barretto and Jolin Barretto, nephew Shane (Tira) Barretto, grandnieces Ashley (Tyson) Relacion, Sheena (Delbert Jr.) Tuazon, Sade (Josh) Thomas, Shawn (Fletcher Parker) Villatora and Jolie Barretto-Valmoja, grandnephews Adam (Christine) Coyaso, Aaron (Sarah Tobiassen) Villatora, Anson (Ariel) Villatora, Bruno Ekolu (Sarah Kasai) Ramos III, Bronson (Brooke Yasuda) Ramos and Edgar Porter III, great-grandnieces Taylor Relacion, Neshae Tuazon, Lahela Tuazon, Siana Bactad-Barretto, Teja Rita, Keala Tobiassen-Villatora, Mia Kasai and Rebecca Parker, great-grandnephews Kaimana Tuazon, Cody Relacion, Kaniala Tuazon, Kekona Bactad-Barretto, Arion Baltazar, Maxon Parker and Rory Thomas.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mildrene Swan
Mildrene Swan, of The Villages, Florida, was called home by God on Sept. 5, 2021. She passed away suddenly while traveling in Las Vegas. She was born in Detroit on April12, 1944, to William and Mildred Wishart.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother William.
She is survived by 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.
A celebration of life is Wednesday, March 16, at Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
Ernesto ‘Pete’ Aguon
Ernesto “Pete” Aguon passed away on Feb. 12, 2022, at the age of 70, in Waimea. He was born on May 15, 1951, in Guam. He was a retired maintenance worker.
He was preceded in death by parents Jose and Maria Aguon, brothers Ambrosio Aguon and Michael Aguon, and father and mother-in-law Jimmy and Aloha Ho‘okano.
He is survived by wife Pi‘ilani Aguon of Kekaha, sons Kauhi (Kalei) Aguon of Puhi, Peter Jo (Abigail) Swaney of Colorado and Kai (Kailan) Reyes of Kalaheo, daughter Keala Aguon of Kekaha, grandchildren Dawson Morris-Aguon, Dylan Morris-Aguon, Landon Kaniho Aguon, Hinaea Reyes, Hawena Reyes, Waimea Reyes, Genesis Swaney, Goliath Swaney, Lazerius Swaney and Jasmine Swaney, brothers Johnny (Josephine) Aguon of Guam, Greg (Rosita) Aguon of Arizona, Anthony (Doris) Aguon of Guam, Frank Aguon of Guam, Vincent Aguon of Guam and Kenneth Aguon of Guam, sisters Julie Delgado of Guam, Maryann (Joe) Guzman of Guam, Margaret “Agit” (Joe) Kona of Waimea and Angie Rabina of Washington, in-laws Pauline Kupo of Kekaha, Kaleo Ho‘okano of Waimea and Odetta and Joe Borja of Kekaha, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A walk-thru visitation is Saturday, March 19, at Lucy Wright Park in Waimea from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2:30 p.m. The family request casual attire and welcomes flowers. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Herbert Santana Banua
Herbert Santana Banua passed away on Feb. 13, 2022, at the age of 89, in Waimea. He was born on May 22, 1932, in Lawa‘i. He was a U.S. Army veteran and data analyst.
He was preceded in death by father Alberto Banua, mother Cecilia Santana, brother Henry Bermoy, Sr. and sister Sally McBride.
He is survived by wife Victoria Banua, sons Carlos Banua and Aldino “Dino” (Denise) Banua, daughters Anna (Sonny) Balauro, Tina (Albert) Carbonel and Lisa (Dino) Pabre, grandchildren Emery (Stephanie) Banua, Tianna (Erik) Banua, Jace Balauro, Kyle (Ashley) Balauro, Natasha (Patrick) O’Brien, Katrina (Kimo) Farias, Alec Carbonel, Briana Banua, Corbin Banua, Dino Pabre Jr., great-grandchildren Nevaeh Banua, Abigale Shaekley, Clara Bella Shaekley, Kaeden Quinto, Ezra Vidal, Ezlynn Vidal, Easton Scholl, Ember Balauro, Adrian Balauro, Jystin Stiles, Kanoa Farias, Kiani Farias, Aysen Farias and Briella Farias, brothers Ben Bermoy and Roland (Caroline) Banua, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The service is Saturday, March 19, at Garden Island Mortuary, with walk-thru visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests flowers be omitted. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Amanda Tadena Villanueva
Amanda Tadena Villanueva, 90, of Kilauea, passed away at Garden Isle Rehabilitation & Healthcare on Feb. 25, 2022. She was born in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on April 27, 1931, and retired from Sheraton Princeville as a housekeeper.
She was preceded in death by husband Hiraldo “Harry” Pascua Villanueva, daughter-in-law Gina aka Aundretta, parents Benito Tadena and Urbana Lebag, brothers Frederico (Rosario) Tadena, Juanito (Restituta) “Pidot” Tadena and Mariano Tadena, sisters Josefina (Frederico) Ramos, Rosario Tadena Caro, Clementia “Liming” (Pepito) Raneses, Caridad Dallo, Flora Tadena and Susana Tadena.
She is survived by daughter Cecelia Urbana Tadena Villanueva, son Dean Felix Tadena Villanueva, grandchildren Richard (Keiosha) Townsend, Maile Leilani (Prince) Villanueva-Miller, Shyla Kanani Kaninauali‘i Enos Villanueva, great-grandchildren Ta’quan Townsend, Taliyah Townsend and Nyla Miller, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Monday, March 28, at St. Sylvester Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m.
Masks and social distancing are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Curtis Shawn Rapozo
Curtis Shawn Rapozo, 51, born on Dec. 6, 1970 to Mervin and Fay Rapozo, passed away on Feb. 22, 2022, at his residence in Wailua Homesteads. A graduate from Kapa’a High School Class of 1988, he went on to attended and graduated from Universal Technical Institute in Arizona, then entered the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by daughter Khaliah-Shay Kaulana Rapozo, paternal grandparents Frank Jr. and Emily Rapozo, maternal grandparents Kazutomo Takabayashi, Esperanza (Edna) Takabayashi (Pio) Lacuesta, uncles Edgar (Mieko Grace) Takabayashi, Warren Takabayashi and Stephen Rapozo Sr., and nephews Keith Takabayashi and Maverick Bethel.
He is survived by parents, sister Crystal Bethel, nephews Leevi, Brooks and Austin Hunter Bethel and Rhigz Bethel, uncle Glenn (Barbara) Takabayashi, aunts Raquel Venus (Mario) Colobong, Madeline (Dennis) Yamaguchi and Doreen Rita, and other cousins.
Blessings prior to cremation were held, with final internment to follow at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Daniel Oliveira
Daniel “Danny” Oliveira, 47, of Moloa‘a, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2022, while at one of his favorite places, Koke‘e. He was born on Dec. 19, 1974, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihu‘e. After graduating from Kaua‘i High School in 1992, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years. Upon his return home with his wife Keana, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Kaua‘i Police Department. Lieutenant Daniel Oliveira served the community with honor, passion and pride for 21 years.
He had many loves: his KPD ‘ohana, the San Francisco Giants, and above all he had the love of family. He was a loving husband to his wife and dedicated father to his three children.
He will be remembered for his generous heart, endearing smile, and desire to help the people of Kaua‘i. From coaching youth to delivering holiday gifts to those in need, he was a great example of a humble leader who loved and believed in the good of this island community.
He was preceded in death by father Sylvester “Oli” Oliveira Jr., grandparents Sylvester Oliveira Sr. and Helen Oliveira and Edward and Shirley Goias, aunts Joann Helen Oliveira and Ginny Warner, and nephew Chris Bowers.
He is survived by wife of 21 years, Keana (Hanchett) Oliveira, children Makali‘i, Kilinoe and Kealohi, mother Yolanda Oliveira, sisters Tasha Oliveira and Melissa (Jared) Planas, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored.
An EOW (End of Watch) pa‘ina will take place on Saturday, March 19, at his “Field of Dreams” in Moloa‘a, also known as Hanchett Ranch, 4-6844 Kuhio Hwy. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with services to follow. Protocols for COVID-19 will be followed.
Luana Kuinilani Kua
Kuini “make” Feb. 18, 2022; reunites with her daddy and mommy. She “hanau” Oct. 2, 1958, in Waimea. She attended Kekaha School, graduated Waimea High School 1976, graduated BYU-H 1980. She served a full-time mission in Buenos Aires Norte for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her career was mostly in insurance: John Mullen & Company, Summerlin, GEICO.
She leaves behind her brothers Melvin Jr (Bones) and Kenway, sisters Uilani Wright and Pua Nihipali, as well as their families.
Private graveside services will be held on Kaua‘i.
Lance Matsunaga
Lance Matsunaga passed away on Feb. 23, 2022, at the age of 59, in Montebello, California. His home and family resided in Firestone, Colorado. He was in the state of California to receive cancer treatment at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California.
He went to ‘Ele‘ele School and Waimea High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was an air traffic controller at Ellsworth Airbase in South Dakota, Yokota Airbase in Japan and Altus Airbase in Oklahoma. After 20 years of military service, he retired and was stationed at the Lihu‘e Airport for some time. His last employment was at the Federal Aviation Agency in Longmont, Colorado, in the flight-data section.
He is survived by wife Annaliza, daughters Ashlee and Stephanie, son Steven, mother Patsy Higa Matsunaga of Gardena, California, father Harold and Rose Marie Matsunaga of Lihu‘e, and brother Lon (wife Kimmie, daughter Ivy) of Montebello, California.
He was preceded in death by sister Jill, grandparents and numerous uncles and aunts from the Matsunaga and Higa families.
Private services were held at Hosoi Mortuary in Los Angeles.
Burt Kazuo Tsuchiya
Burt Kazuo Tsuchiya passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, surrounded by loved ones, in Vancouver, Washington. He was 84.
He was born in Waimea, and graduated from Waimea High School in 1955. The first member of his family to leave Hawai’i for higher education, Tsuchiya earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fenn College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1960.
Tsuchiya served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for eight years and worked for a Cleveland newspaper before returning to Hawai‘i, where he landed a position with The Honolulu Advertiser.
In 1967, he returned to Kaua‘i, working for The Garden Island newspaper, selling insurance, and for a short time owning a local retail store catering to mainland visitors.
A year later, Tsuchiya met and married Melinda Jean Tsuchiya, with whom he’d spend the next 48 years before her passing in 2016.
By 1972, he set his eyes on politics and was elected to the Kaua‘i County Council, serving his constituents for two consecutive terms, including as chairman.
Tsuchiya was hired by Grove Farm in 1980 to oversee the development of land on which Kukui Grove Center now sits, and was the shopping center’s very first general manager. He was selected in the early 1980s to serve as the Kaua‘i representative on the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, a position he held until 1984 when he accepted the assistant manager position at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.
He was eventually promoted to general manager of Ala Moana, which today remains the largest open-air shopping center in the world. Tsuchiya played an instrumental role in an expansion project that included the opening of the Makai Market food court.
In 1991, he again returned to Kaua‘i, this time to work as the vice chairman of Princeville Resort. He retired in 1993 and moved with his wife to Roseburg, Ore., where they lived for 22 years before moving to Arizona to be closer to their grandchildren. After his wife’s passing, Tsuchiya returned to the Pacific Northwest to live near his children.
Tsuchiya was an avid golfer, and had the privilege of playing some of the finest courses in North America. He also was a fan of University of Hawai‘i and University of Oregon athletics.
As accomplished as he was as a businessman, his work never defined him. Tsuchiya was the consummate family man who fiercely loved his wife, children and grandchildren. Soft-spoken, stoic, loyal and principled, he spoke sparingly, but with passion, purpose and good humor.
Tsuchiya was preceded in death by father Shizuo, mother Eleanor and wife Melinda.
He is survived by his sister Mitzi (Ken) Nomura, children Jennifer Dodds, Matthew (Connie) and Mark (Becky), 11 grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Services are pending. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a gift in Tsuchiya’s name to a charitable organization.
Maxine H. Iha
Maxine H. Iha, of Koloa, passed away on Feb. 19, 2022, at the age of 75. She was born in Honolulu on Nov. 17, 1946. She was a retired cafeteria manager at Waimea High School.
She was preceded in death by mother Alice Whitford, husband Robert Iha and son Lyons “Curly” Perry.
She is survived by sons Kalani (Candyce) Perry, John Perry and Kaipo (Karlee) Perry, daughter Anela Delima, grandchildren Bailey, Aliyah, Johnell, Jayson, Mokelani, Harley, Kurt, Kory, Hi‘ilei Perry, Travis, Hilton, Megan and Casey Delima.
A private celebration of life will be held.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
