Obituaries for Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Bravynn L. Drose
Bravynn L. Drose
Bravynn L. Drose passed away on April 24, 2022, in Lihu‘e at the age of 44. He was born on Jan. 19, 1978, in Honolulu. He was a cook.
He was preceded in death by parents Benjamin Drose and Clarice Drose and sister Coreene Drose.
He is survived by wife Patricia L. Young Drose, children Benny, Foxie and Brie, brother Benjamin Drose II of Nevada, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, May 14, at the Kalaheo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where visitation begins at 9 a.m. with services at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leonard Esona Sr.
Leonard Esona Sr., 75, of Las Vegas, passed away at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center on Jan. 16, 2021. He was born on April 15, 1945 in Waimea. He was employed and retired as a supervisor for Lihu‘e Plantation Company. After his retirement he moved to Las Vegas.
He proudly served his time in the Army in Vietnam. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming and gardening. He was also the family barbecue master.
He was preceded in death by parents Leoncio Esona and Isabello and Hilda (Bansole) Arcangel, brother Owen S. Esona, sister Cybil L. Esona, brother-in-law Ralph Remigio and son-in-law Lionel E.K. Gonsalves.
He is survived by wife Yolanda Esona of 46 years, daughters Cesili Gonsalves of Lihu‘e, Nicole (Kenneth) Carvalho of Kekaha, Shan (Charlan Mano‘i) Esona of Las Vegas and Kabbie (Aaron) Koshan of Las Vegas, son Leonard Esona Jr. of Las Vegas, hanai son Shea (Lauren) Montgomery, children Shaiann Montgomery, Malakai Montgomery, Morgan Bolton and Makenna Montgomery of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Bryson (Kaira Kupihea) Gonsalves, Alexis Youn-Esona, Trinity Koshan, Kailah Esona, Brianni Higashi, Kiana Carvalho, Sanoe Carvalho, Reef Carvalho, Justin Bonachita-Esona, Cyann Akaji, Kanan Akaji, Diesel Mano‘i, Keli’i Esona, Kaylee Esona, Kai Esona and Kaleb Esona, great-grandchildren Ayva Marie and Ayden Brock Gonsalves, his loyal and loving furry companion Elu, brothers Steven (Edna) Esona of Wahiawa, O‘ahu, Alvin (Agatha) Esona of Waipahu, mother-in-law Consuelo Remigio of Kapa‘a, sisters-in-law Gloria (Dennis) Bonilla of ‘Oma‘o and Lorna Navarro of Lihu‘e, brother-in-law Gary (Jennifer) Remigio of Lihu‘e, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
His celebration of life is at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e on Saturday, May 14, with visitation starting at 9 a.m., services start 9:30 a.m., brunch at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at 1 p.m. at the Hanapepe Kaua“i Veterans Cemetery. The family suggests aloha or casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
Clyde Kapuakela White
Clyde Kapuakela White, 69, of Anahola, put on his angel wings on April 12, 2022. He was born in Lihu‘e to Vernon and Emmaline White on Feb. 26, 1953. He worked at Foodland, and retired as meat department manager.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kana White.
He is survived by wife Oma White, daughter Ku‘ulei White, grandchildren Kaulana Aki and Micah White, brother Kahea White, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
His beachside celebration of life is Thursday, June 16, at 10 a.m. at Aliomanu in Anahola. Turn on to Aliomanu Road off Kuhio Highway and as you pass Hokualele Canoe Club and look for signs. A scattering of his ashes will follow services.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jack Norio Gushiken
Jack Norio Gushiken, 82, of Kilauea, passed away on March 18, 2022 at The Queen’s Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by parents Tokumatsu and Kikue Gushiken and youngest brother Spencer Gushiken.
He is survived by wife Sharon Gushiken, daughter Lynne Gushiken, sons Clyne (Eva) Gushiken and Lee Gushiken, grandchildren Kevin (Michi) Gushiken, Jennifer Gushiken and Andjela Gushiken, great-grandchildren Jayden Gushiken and Kiani Gushiken, brothers Alan Gushiken, Ralph (Jill) Gushiken and Leslie (Donna) Gushiken, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He belonged to the land and the sea. Most knew him for his work in and around Kilauea, his hometown. For 50 years he worked for C. Brewer (and its subsidiaries), and was one of their longest-tenured employees. As an irrigation specialist he worked at Kilauea Sugar Plantation and Olokele Sugar Company. He also shared his expertise overseas doing work assignments in Al Amarah, Iraq and Shush, Iran.
After returning from Iran, he spent 28 years at Kilauea Agronomics. He spent several years overseeing an aquaculture operation to raise fresh-water prawns. But, more significantly, he helped design and oversee the 500-acre guava orchard known as Guava Kai Plantation.
In addition to supplying puree to companies such as Ocean Spray, Tree Top, Minute Maid, Meadow Gold and Motts, Guava Kai became a tourist attraction with an on-site gift store featuring guava products and guava-related merchandise. Visitors to the store could even watch a looping video that featured Jack describing various aspects of guava production.
On his own time, he started to work on a new guava variety. After much experimental grafting, hundreds of seedlings and lots of patience, he created and patented the Gushiken Sweet guava (HPSI 26). As the name implies, this variety is naturally sweet, and features high nutrient values.
After C. Brewer ceased operations, he worked at Wai Koa Plantation and Common Ground, and did consulting work with regards to property and irrigation landmarks around Kilauea. He officially retired in September 2021.
His connection to the sea cannot be overlooked. He was an avid fisherman and at one point held 20 fishing world records. Four of his world records were obtained during a single fishing trip to Alaska in August 2008, including a 30-inch Dolly Varden trout.
When he wasn’t fishing, he enjoyed driving around town in his red truck, often with his dog Bella by his side. Friends and family enjoyed his storytelling and his wry sense of humor. He clearly took great pride in his hometown of Kilauea, not just for its history, but also for its bright future.
Family and friends may gather at Anaina Hou Porter Pavilion, 5-2723 Kuhio Highway in Kilauea, on Saturday, June 4, starting at 1 p.m. Services will begin at 2 p.m. with visitation and fellowship to follow.
Sally Toshie Okamoto
Sally Toshie Okamoto, 86, of Kealia, passed away on March 19, 2022, surrounded by her family. She retired after a life-long career with the Lihue Plantation Co., Ltd.
She loved reading, word puzzles, cooking, sewing and embroidery, and especially enjoyed the company of her family, sharing many stories and memories of days gone by.
She was preceded in death by parents Suekichi and Motoko Oshima, brother Sueharu Oshima, sisters Satoko Sato and Gertrude Wada, and brothers-in-law Tadashi Sato, Edward Matayoshi and Edward Inouye.
She is survived by husband of 65 years, Hidemi Okamoto of Kealia, son Glenn Okamoto of Wailua, daughter Penny (Robert) Shissler of Kealia, grandchildren Summer (Hubert) Matsuda Jr. of Mililani and Cheyenne Shissler of Kealia, great-grandchild Erin Matsuda of Mililani, O‘ahu, siblings Margaret Matayoshi, Edith Inouye and Edwin Oshima, all of Honolulu, sister-in-law Hiroko Oshima of Lihu‘e, brother-in-law Irwin Wada of Honolulu, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paul Tasuku Matsunaga
On April 16, 2020, Paul Tasuku Matsunaga passed away at the age of 85, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
He is survived by wife Arline, children Dorene (Elpidio) and Scott (Pakalana), and grandchildren Kellianne (Daniel), Tyler and Sarah.
He was a loving father, a supportive brother and uncle, and a civil servant to his community, working 31 years with the state Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabiliation Division..
A leader from an early age, he was president of the Kaua‘i High Class of 1952, and went on to leadership roles at the Lihu‘e YMCA, Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity and Koke‘e Leaseholder Association.
He was a proud Baylor University alumnus, and regularly traveled to the mainland to watch Baylor football games. And like a lot of us, he loved going to Vegas. Video poker was his specialty. He will be remembered for his warm smile, kind heart and rich public-speaking voice.
During his last few months, he was unable to see many of his beloved family and friends due to the pandemic. So his family is happy to announce that his celebration of life service will be held to honor his memory on Saturday, May 14, at the Garden Island Mortuary.
We look forward to talking story and sharing fond memories of our beloved Paul. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. with services following at 10:30 a.m. The family requests aloha attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Abraham Keola Huddy
Abraham Keola Huddy passed away on April 15, 2022 at the age of 70. He was born in Lihu‘e on June 21, 1951, and retired from the state Department of Education as a custodian at Kapa‘a Middle School.
He was preceded in death by parents Samuel and Mable Huddy and brother Thomas Huddy.
He is survived by his significant other Wanda Ibia, children Shani (Leslie Oride) Saito, Jake Huddy and Kaulana (Keola) Efhan, brothers George (Laverne) Huddy, Samuel (Kathrine) Huddy Sr. and Joshua (Emily) Huddy, sisters Sarah (Kaleihoku – deceased) Kuhaulua and Rachel Huddy, three grandsons, one granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His celebration of life is on Wailua Beach (Horners) to spread his ashes on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow in Kealia at 2340 Kealia Road, on the Kealia post office grounds.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
