Obituaries for Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Jennie T. Yukimura
Jennie T. Yukimura
Jennie Tomoe Yukimura, 97, of Lihu‘e, passed away on March 6, 2022.
Born on May 24, 1924, in Mo‘ili‘ili, O‘ahu, she graduated from McKinley High School, where she and her classmates, including future leaders like Dan Inouye and Fujio Matsuda, learned the values of civic and social responsibility that defined their generation.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i in 1946 and her fifth-year certificate from the UH School of Social Work in 1947. In 1948 she married Jiro Yukimura, and they moved to Jiro‘s home island of Kaua‘i.
While raising five children, she worked as a member of the state Department of Health‘s Mental Health Children’s Team. She also served on the boards of Child & Family Service and Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, and was part of the delegation from Hawai‘i to a White House Conference on Children and Youth.
Active in the community, she was a member of the League of Women Voters, the AARP, Hawai‘i Government Employees Association and the Democratic Party. With Jiro, she was a member of the Y‘s Men Club, an auxiliary to the YMCA. She was also a devoted member of Lihu‘e Christian Church. She volunteered with the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program and as a neighborhood justice mediator with KEO.
She was known by family and friends for her generosity of spirit, her thoughtfulness and concern for others and her courageous social conscience.
She was preceded in death by parents Takayo and Tomoichi Yoshioka, husband Jiro, sister Yoshie Yoshioka, and brother Kenneth Yoshioka.
She leaves behind sisters Harriet Tojo and Betty Morimoto, brother Thomas Yoshioka, children JoAnn (John Wehrheim) Yukimura, John (Hinda Lefkowitz) Yukimura, Miles Yukimura, Kathy (Mark) Fertello and David Yukimura, grandchildren Maile Walters, Rachel Yukimura, Jesse Yukimura, David Fertello, Kara Fertello, Seanne Kanani Richards, Audrey Yukimura and Elise Yukimura, great-grandchild Ualani Walters, and godson Kai Hovland.
A celebration of life is Saturday, May 21, at Lihu‘e Christian Church, 2943 Kress St., with visitation from 10 a.m. Services will begin at 11 a.m. followed by an “open mic.” Wearing of masks and social distancing will be practiced to keep everyone safe.
To attend the service online, email JenniesCelebration1@gmail.com; a link will be sent prior to the service.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Una May Kuhlman
Una May Kuhlman passed away on March 28, 2022, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on May 21, 1943.
She was preceded in death by father George Starr, mother May Kapunia and daughter Katie Liloa DeCosta.
She is survived by husband Thomas Kuhlman, daughters Manette DeCosta and Ku‘ulei Kuhlman, sons Francis (Lilian) DeCosta Jr., Desmond Moniz and Nick (Sunny) Kuhlman, brothers Robert (Eloise) Kapunia and Charles (Brenda) Sherman, sisters Charolette Kapunia and Georgette (Ernest) Sherman, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, May 21, at Garden Island Mortuary. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Harriet K. Silva
It is with extreme sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
Harriet K. Silva, of Kalaheo, passed away on May 12, 2022. Harriet (Sakuda) was born on Aug. 7, 1949, in Lihu‘e. She was 72 years old and received dialysis treatment for more than 25 years. She was a sweet and loving person and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She loved traveling to Japan, Las Vegas and to Honolulu to spend time with her precious children and grandchildren. She was a person who loved animals.
She is survived by husband Alfred Silva Jr., son Troy (Cherise) Silva, daughter Seanyelle (Edward) Yagi, grandchildren Trista Silva, Callie Silva, Aiden Yagi and Carter Silva, and brother Warren (Terry) Sakuda.
A service is at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, May 28, with viewing from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and service to follow.
The family requests that all guests wear masks indoors and no koden (monetary gifts) will be accepted. Interment will take place following the service for members of the family.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bok Soon ‘B’ Kalaiwa‘a
Bok Soon “B” Kalaiwa‘a, of Anahola, passed away on April 28, 2022, at the age of 90. She was born on Feb. 3, 1932, in Amau‘ulu, Hawai‘i.
She is survived by husband George Pu‘u Kalaiwa‘a, children Nadine N. (Steve Milter) Kalaiwa‘a, George E. “Keoki” Kalaiwa‘a, Dereck A. (Norine) Kalaiwa‘a, Andrew L. “AJ” Kalaiwa‘a and Francis K. (Kimberlee) Kalaiwa‘a, grandchildren Lindsey K. Kalaiwa‘a, Allyn N. Kalaiwa‘a, Lawson N. Kalaiwa‘a, Luke A. Kalaiwa‘a and Logan M. Kalaiwa‘a.
Her celebration of life is on Saturday, May 28, at St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Kilauea, with visitation from 10 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Masks are required.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tevita Mafi Tovi
Tevita Mafi Tovi, 83, of Lihu‘e, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on April 19, 2022. He was born in Kapa, Tonga, on Sept. 9, 1938. He was a skilled mason.
He was preceded in death by mom Meleane Tovi, dad Vili Kata Kulii, daughter Leslie Shitake, brothers Makeatle Kulii and Tesemoni Kulii and stepson Keith Asuncion.
He is survived by wife Collette Puamelia Lanning Tovi, sisters Lavinia Kata of Tonga, Sila Kata of New Zealand and Lata Hala Holo of San Francisco, brother Inoke Kata of New Zealand, stepchildren Khristafo Solunga, Wayne (Theresa) Asuncion of Kapa‘a, Crystel (Randy) Chong Tim of Nevada, Clayton Asuncion of Lihu‘e, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Viewing and services are Saturday, May 21, at Lihu‘e Methodist Church. Viewing begins at 7 a.m. with services following at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Keapana Public Cemetery.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tina Porquis Parongao
Tina Porquis Parongao passed away on April 22, 2021, at the age of 90, at her residence in Kalaheo, surrounded by love. She was born on Jan. 3, 1931, in Kau, Hawai‘i.
She joined her beloved grandma Fermina Lasponias, brothers Crispin Porquis, Felix Porquis, Lance Yacadin and Cezar Fernandez, sister Rosita Newman, parents Pacifico Porquis, Anita Lasponias, and son-in-law Leonard (Lee) Bagano.
She is survived by husband John Parongao of Kalaheo, sons John (Cindy) Parongao Jr. of Nevada, Reuben Parongao of Kalaheo and Anthony Parongao of Kapa‘a, daughters Deborah Bagano of Kalaheo and Joan (Bobby) Bareng of Utah, 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, sisters Frances Johnson of Florida, Arlene Christensen of Colorado and Emily Joy Porquis of Philippines, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services are Saturday, May 21, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo.
Visitation is from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Eulogy is from 9:50 to 10 a.m., with Mass to follow. Brunch will follow at Wong’s Restaurant.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert T. Kunioka
Robert T. Kunioka passed away on April 6, 2022, at the age of 91, at his residence. He was born on Jan. 6, 1931, in Koloa. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and a retired microbiologist for the state Department of Health.
He was preceded in death by parents Jiro and Asayo Kunioka, brother Wallace Kunioka, sister Mildred Sugimura and son-in-law Edward Kunioka-Volz.
He is survived by wife Dorothy S. Kunioka, sons Keith (Monica) Kunioka of Kapa‘a, Scott Kunioka of Honolulu, daughters Karen (Randy) Kawate of Hilo, Hawai‘i and Sheri Kunioka-Volz of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Christin Kekaualua, Brandon Kawate, Tiana Kunioka, Takara Kunioka, Tyson Rabago, Nichol Kunioka-Volz, Lani Kunioka-Volz, Kacie Kunioka-Volz, Maika Kunioka and Malia Kunioka, great-grandchildren Taylor “Pili” Quinories, Brookelynn Kekaualua, Colten Kekaualua, Hina‘ea Alapa, Ka‘ana Lopez, Ka‘eokai Lopez, Alina Kimura, Kaizen Kunioka-Knuepfel, Cade Kunioka and Tyson Arruda-Rabago, great-great-grandchild Aiko Kekaualua-Bannister, sister Janet Oshima of Oceanside, California, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, May 28, at the Kapa‘a United Church of Christ. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Service begins at 11 a.m.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Amparo J. Abalos
Amparo J. Abalos, of Makaweli, passed away peacefully at the age of 85, on April 4, 2022, at Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea. She was born on Feb. 8, 1937.
She was preceded in death by husband Dominado “Domingo” S. Abalas, Sr., son Anson A. Abalos, mother Bisitasion “Bessie” Largo, father Emigdio T. Jamero, brothers Rudolph “Rudy” Largo and Gary Largo, and sisters Judy Hanohano, Dolly Babayan and Geraldine “Geri” Kawamura.
She is survived by sons George (Karleen) Abalos and Dominador “Domi” (Marlyn) Abalos Jr., daughter Allison (Bradley) Hiranaka, brothers Emigdio “Joe” (Ivy) Jamero, James (Rosaline) Largo, Christopher (Rose) Largo and Leslie (Corrine) Largo, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Friday, May 20, at Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
