Obituaries for Sunday, April 10, 2022
Joan Catharine Pratt
Joan Catharine Pratt
Joan Catharine Pratt, of Honolulu, passed away on Feb. 22, 2022, at Arcadia Retirement Residence, Honolulu, at the age of 92. She was born in Honolulu on Sept. 9, 1929, the second of four children of Charles Dudley Pratt and Dora Marion Broadbent Pratt.
Her education began at Hanahauoli School, followed by Punahou, graduating from there in 1947. She earned an associate bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in hygiene and physical education at Wellesley College. She then taught physical education in Massachusetts and California before returning to Punahou to teach in 1957, where she taught and coached for 30 years. As a result, anywhere she went, frequently someone would recognize her and say “Miss Pratt! I was in your P.E. class at Punahou!”
She was known for her deep love of family, community and the outdoors. She traveled extensively, especially during summers between teaching semesters at Punahou. Europe was explored behind the wheel of a 1973 orange VW camper purchased in Germany and dubbed the “Grosse Pumpkin.” Yosemite National Park was another favorite, with nearly every summer of travel concluding with a camping trip to Tuolumne Meadows with friends. She visited and hiked throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but her favorite place of respite was the family cabin in Koke‘e, built by her grandfather in 1925. From there she would gather with friends and family for day after day of driving the dirt roads to explore, bird watch, hike to spectacular viewpoints (always with a picnic lunch) and enjoy the peace and quiet of the forests. Her volunteer archaeological work with Bishop Museum took her to more remote areas of the islands as well as to Huahine multiple times with Dr. Yosohito “Yoshi” Sinoto.
She cherished these islands and took every opportunity to enjoy Hawaiian music and hula, whether at family gatherings or a live show or on TV. She studied ‘ukulele for many years and took classes at Kapi‘olani Park.
Athletics played an integral part of her life. She closely followed both high school and collegiate sports, and was devoted to the University of Hawai‘i men’s and women’s volleyball programs, attending as many games as she could year after year with season tickets that she would share with friends and family.
She lived a remarkable life full of compassion, intention and commitment. She had a deep love for her family with a broad knowledge of her ancestry, and could be counted on as a primary resource for genealogy as well as all special dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. She was meticulous and straightforward, balancing this with a terrific sense of humor and unlimited sense of adventure. She maintained steadfast support for her island community, especially for causes which helped further education, history, heritage and preservation of nature. Her presence in all our lives will be remembered and treasured for years to come.
She is survived by brother David W. (Carol J.) Pratt, two nieces, four nephews, four grandnieces and four grandnephews. A private ceremony for family will be held at O‘ahu Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hui O Laka / Koke‘e Museum, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, the Hawaiian Mission Houses or the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.
Ronald ‘Squeaky’ Keli‘i Kealoha Sr.
Ronald “Squeaky” Keli‘i Kealoha Sr. passed away on March 26, 2022, at the age of 74. He was born on Jan. 27, 1948, in Lihu‘e. He was a retired veteran in the U.S. Army and a firefighter with the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
He was preceded in death by parents Robert Kealoha Sr. and Rose (Kua) Kealoha, brother Robert Kealoha Jr. and sister Irene Kealoha.
He is survived by wife Elaine M. Kealoha, sons Ronald Keli‘i Kealoha Jr. and Douglas (Malama) Kaina Kealoha, daughter Rose (Dewey Henderson) Napua Kealoha, 11 grandchildren, sisters Fannie (Damien) Gonsalves, Ululani (Marvin ) Ho‘okano and Helen K. Brede, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, May 14, at Niumalu Beach Park pavilion, from noon until pau.
“You stay dreaming small; dream big.” – Papa Squeaky
Patricia Mae Cremer
Patricia Mae Cremer, 71, of Lihu‘e, passed away on March 6, 2022, at home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on March 25, 1950, in Lihu‘e.
She was preceded in death by husband Robert R. Cremer Sr., father, George Alves and brother George Wayne Alves.
She is survived by mother Frances Carriera, children Robert (Amy) Cremer Jr., Randall (Shelly) Cremer, Michelle (Jonathan) Apana and Rodney C.G. Cremer, 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, sisters Eileen (Philip) Rapozo and Charlotte (David) Rapozo and brother David (Donna) Alves.
A celebration of life is at Lydgate Park on Saturday, April 16, with visitation with the family from 10 to 11 a.m. with service to follow. A private burial will be held on Easter Sunday.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Stephen L. Erlandson
Stephen L. Erlandson, 74, of Princeville, passed away on March 31, 2022 at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born in Whittier, California on Sept. 15, 1947, and was a Vietnam War veteran who served in 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and gunner.
He was preceded in death by parents LaVerne and Betty Sue Erlandson, mother-in-law,Maude Norek and brother-in-law Patrick Norek.
He is survived by wife Marie Erlandson, son Tony Blasetti, stepfather Don Lambdin, father-in-law Jerry Norek, sister-in-law Dorothy LaRose, nephew Kyle LaRose and niece Jillian LaRose.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert Peter Oroc
Robert Peter Oroc, born on June 28, 1952, Waimea, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2022, at home in Makaha.
He was a retired guest service agent and night auditor at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel on O‘ahu.
He is survived by parents Epifanio and Gregoria “Jeannie” Oroc of Kekaha, daughters Christine Oroc of Makaha and Chandra Oroc of North Carolina, son Robert Brad Oroc of Georgia, brothers Eric Oroc of Kekaha and Gregory Oroc of Colorado, sisters Elizabeth (John) Perea of Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island, Stephanie (JJ) Bostick of Kekaha, grandchildren Kalei, Isabella, Jacob, Channing, Kainoa, Kiani, Shazzarae, Syrenity, Kainalu and Brad Jr. (BJ), great-grandchildren Leo, Avani and Liam, and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins,
A memorial service is Thursday April 14, at Borthwick Mortuary in Honolulu. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. and services at 12:30 p.m., with refreshments to follow. The family suggests aloha attire and welcomes flowers.
Dorothy Kiyoko Sasaki
June 21, 1940 – March 5, 2022
Dorothy Kiyoko Sasaki passed away peacefully on the island of Kaua‘i on March 5, 2022, surrounded by friends, doing what she loved, serving the community. She was born in Honolulu on June 21, 1940, to Albert and Doris Takai, and was the youngest daughter of eight children, lovingly known as “Kiyo” by her family.
Her adventurous spirit took her to the mainland right after graduating from Farrington High School in 1958. It was in Los Angeles where she met Hanalei boy Clyne Sasaki, and they were married in 1961. Together they embraced life raising two loving children and one granddaughter, and eventually lived out their dream by retiring and enjoying kupuna life back on Kaua‘i’s North Shore.
A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, sister, cousin and friend is forever in our hearts … a hui hou!
She was preceded in death by parents Albert and Doris Takai, parents-in-law Henry and Yae Sasaki, husband Clyne Sasaki, brother George Takai, sisters Evelyn (Yasu) Go, Grace Iwasaki, Mildred (Harold) Kinoshita and Doris (Haru) Nakamoto, and sisters-in-law Chieno Sasaki and Jane (Steven) Itokazu.
She is survived by brothers Erik (Naomi) Takai and Ted (Ethel) Takai, sister-in-law Yurie Takai, brothers-in-law Ben Iwasaki, Jiro (Nancy) Sasaki and Roy (Lillian) Sasaki, son Hugh (Pam) Sasaki, daughter Tammy (Vincent) Chan, her favorite granddaughter Kristen Sasaki, along with numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, hanai family and dear friends.
A celebration of life is Saturday, April 23, at noon at the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center, 3000 Kilauea Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754 (Entrance to Ag Park driveway will be on right-hand side on road to Kilauea Lighthouse, right after rock quarry road.) Attire is casual, come as you are. Lunch will be provided after the program. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts).
Fond memories, photos and expressions of sympathy can be shared with the Takai and Sasaki families on-line at the Borthwick Kaua’i Mortuary website: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/koloa-hi/dorothy-sasaki-10620355
And, if interested, consider checking out these organizations that Dorothy was actively involved with during her life:
• Amazing Grace Church — https://heychurches.com/04036064/Amazing_Grace_Baptist_Church;
• Waipa (poi day and farmers’ market) — https://waipafoundation.org/;
• Kilauea Senior Center — https://www.bizapedia.com/hi/kilauea-senior-center.html;
• Kilauea Community Agricultural Center (Aina Ho‘okupu O Kilauea) — https://www.ainahookupuokilauea.org/donate;
• Church of the Pacific’s rummage sale and Ho‘okipa Kaua‘i Food Pantry — https://www.churchofthepacific.org/mission-and-ministries;
• KORE (Kaua‘i Ocean Recreation Experience) — https://korekauai.com/;
• Friends of the North Shore Library at Princeville — https://friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org/princevilleaffiliate/;
• Enhance Fitness — https://projectenhance.org/enhancefitness/;
• Power of Love Christian Fellowship — http://www.polcf.org/;
• Seinan Senior Center — https://www.keiro.org/resource-directory/seinan-senior-citizens-center.
The ‘ohana of Dorothy Sasaki would like to thank each of you for your aloha and support and for being a part of her full and beautiful life. We will miss her dearly, but we are grateful for our memories together and will try our best to live aloha, too.
Orlando Sonny Anaya
Orlando Sonny Anaya aka Coach “O”,61, of Kapa‘a, passed away on April 3 2022. He was born on O‘ahu on Jan. 3, 1961. He was the youngest nationally certified water safety instructor for the American Red Cross in 1976, and also the youngest WSI trainer for the American Red Cross in 1981.
He was the head coach and founder of Mokihana Aquatics from 1989-2020. He also coached high school swimming and taught countless children how to swim throughout the island. In 2018 he was inducted into the Hawai‘i Swimming Hall of Fame.
He is survived by children Keenan (Sarah) Anaya, Reece Anaya, Kesia Anaya and Chase Anaya, sister Anna Vega, and brothers Roy Anaya and Danny Garcia.
A celebration of life is at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Wednesday, April 13, with visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with an intimate service to follow.
