Obituaries for Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Sachiko Takayama
Sachiko Takayama
Sachiko Takayama passed away on May 20, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born on Sept. 29, 1929, in Koloa. She was a cafeteria cook at Kalaheo School.
She was preceded in death by husband Shigeto Takayama, parents Kameo and Fuyu Tanaka, brothers Warren Tanaka, Hideo Tanaka, Elden Tanaka and Wayne Tanaka, and sister Tamiko Asahi.
She is survived by her son Shandon (Joyce) Takayama of Kalaheo, daughter Eldene Dang of Lihu‘e, grandson Riley Takayama, sister Audrey (Courtenay) Martin of Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services will be held at a later date. The family request no koden (monetary gifts).
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Moses Lono Gardner
Moses Lono Gardner passed away on May 12, 2022, at the age of 50. He was born on Jan. 7, 1972, in Waimea. He was a dry wall plasterer.
He was preceded in death by parents Clarence and Nani Gardner.
He is survived by wife Christina Silva of Lawa‘i, son Rusty Gardner of Lawa‘i, daughters Nicole Gardner of Lawa‘i and Kayley Gardner of Lawa‘i, brothers Wayne (Raynette) Taniguchi of Kalaheo and Kalei (Lanell) Gardner of Lawa‘i, sister Raynette “Momilani” Gardner of Maile, O‘ahu, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, June 11, at the Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and service at 4:30 p.m. The family requests casual attire. Scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Maxie Moreno
Maxie Moreno passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 89, in Kekaha, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 23, 1932 in Kekaha. He was a heavy equipment operator for Kekaha Sugar Co. and also performed maintenance for Hale Kupuna Nursing Home.
He was preceded in death by father Tomas Moreno, mother Shandra Hernandez, brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Linda Moreno, sister and brother-in-law Josephine (Sefa) and Daniel Dela Torre, brother-in-laws Benjamin Domingo Sr. and Dickie Dela Cruz, great-granddaughter Zaylyn Rose Aranio, grandson-in-law Peyton Siliado II, father-in-law Juan Domingo, stepmother-in-law Elena Domingo, mother-in-law Enicia Garcia, stepfather-in-law Julia Garcia, and sisters-in-law Cristabel Garma, Cheryl Garma and Angie Dela Cruz.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 ½ years Florentina Moreno, sons Thomas (Lisa) Moreno Sr. of Kekaha and Maxie (Dolly Chang) Moreno of Kapa‘a, daughters Myra (Felix) Torres of Hanapepe and Gina (Benjie) Aranio of ‘Oma‘o, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, June 18, at the Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Calvin Hidemi Fujii
Calvin Hidemi Fujii, 78, passed away on Feb. 26, 2022, in Los Gatos, California. He was born in Lihu‘e and worked for the United States Postal Service for 38 years before retiring in 2005.
He was preceded in death by parents Tsutomu and Fusayo Fujii, sister Stella Fujii and brother Arnold Fujii.
He is survived by wife Pamela Fujii, children Cheryl (Brett) Oliker, Chris (Mirna) Fujii, Caela Fujii and Chara Fujii, brothers Stephen (Sylvia) Fujii and Roger (Amy) Fujii, and grandchildren Curtis Fujii, Madison Fujii and Danielle Oliker.
A service is at noon Tuesday, June 28, at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Earl D. Hunter
Earl D. Hunter passed away on April 5, 2022, at the age of 76, in Lihu‘e. He was born on Sept. 30, 1945 in Honolulu. He was a construction project manager.
He was preceded in death by father Earl Hunter Sr., mother Ichiko Hunter and wife Patricia Hunter.
He is survived by son Scot Hunter of Long Beach, California, brother Carl “Bo” Hunter of O‘ahu, and numerous nephews and cousins.
A memorial service is Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center. The Lions Club will be honoring him with a presentation for service. The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lina Manzano Panit
Lina Manzano Panit passed away on May 12, 2022, at the age of 88. She was born on Jan. 12, 1934 in Ubbog, Santiago, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She retired as a room attendant in the hotel industry.
She was preceded in death by husband Matias S. Panit, brother Antonio Manzano and sister Lumen Manzano.
She is survived by son Nelson (Gaynell) Panit, brother Rumulo (Nellie) Manzano, sisters Trinidad Dela Cruz, Emilia Cera and Leonora Astrero, and grandchildren Matthew Panit, Tai Panit and Sarea Panit.
Services are at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a on Saturday, June 4. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Kapaia.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jose E. Bulatao Jr.
“Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high. There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.” Jose Evangelista Bulatao Jr. sang his lullaby, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”, after he said the Lord’s prayer. Then he closed his eyes as he traveled to that land on Aug. 15, 2021.
Jose E. Bulatao Jr. was born on Oct. 6, 1936 in Koloa, and was preceded in death by parents Jose Evangelista Bulatao and Guadalupe Ledesma Bulatao, youngest sister Rosalind Barbara Bulatao Franklin and nephew Jack Odo.
He is survived by sisters Millie (David/Duke) Wellington of ‘Ele‘ele, Mabel (Maybelle) Jean (Kaoru/Jackson) Odo of Kalaheo, and nieces and nephews with namesakes Wellington, Odo, Griffith, Reynolds, Dang, Leeloy, Iannucci, Parongao, Ponce, Melendez, Franklin and Fahnestock clans, including many relatives of the Bulatao and Courtezan families.
He imbedded his visionary prowess beginning in early childhood; which continued throughout adulthood. He did this from his most miraculous resources of energy.
After graduating from Waimea High School, he was awarded a fully funded Kekaha Sugar Company scholarship to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, where he earned a teaching degree while continually being named to the Dean’s List of high achievers. This gave him the opportunity to be invited to join the honorary, prestigious membership of the Phi Delta Kappa.
Returning to Kaua‘i, he taught English at Kaua‘i High School, then transferred to his alma mater where he boosted the school spirit through coaching the Pep Squad and directing musical plays.
Many years later, he accepted the position at Kaua‘i Community College as a speech instructor. To his delight, he found that his classes were being filled by former students and those who had heard about his amazingly effective teaching style and his outstanding service to the community, and he appreciated bonds of aloha with newly arriving families worldwide.
He endowed his talents by also coaching Miss Kaua‘i, Miss Hawai‘i, Miss Kaua‘i Filipina and Miss Hawai‘i Filipina contestants with their speeches and talents. He also enjoyed having a byline column for The Garden Island newspaper as he wrote letters to the editor.
He showcased his artistic vision by being the founder of the infamous Bailes de Jose dance troupe, which performed statewide and on the mainland. His dancers made a promise to keep his legacy alive as a way to promote the Filipino culture. It was his passion to enhance his joy for music, dance and performing arts.
His happiest moments were during family gatherings. The family would gather around him with their guitars, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet or flute, and accompanied him with his incredible gift of playing the piano. They all sang in harmony that was followed with laughter as stories were shared. The family would feast on delicacies, and the end of the meal was usually completed by having a bowl of chicken papaya soup made by Jose. It was the “ahhh” moment of satisfaction.
He will be remembered for all of his contributions, which he did humbly without thought of drawing attention to and status of self. He was always addressed as “Mr. B,” an adoring nickname given when those in contact would exclaim, “If you want to succeed, go see Mr. B!”
His celebration of life services are Saturday, June 4, at Koloa Union Church. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. with services following at 4 p.m. In honor of his personal style, the family suggests bright, flashy attire. Social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Arnold Satoru Fujii
Arnold Satoru Fujii, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Lihu‘e on Jan. 3, 2022. He was born on Nov. 13, 1937, in Kapaia. He worked as a teacher at Kapa‘a High School, the state Department of Education District Office and Kaua‘i Community College.
He was preceded in passing by wife Florinda (Yamasato) Fujii, parents Tsutomu and Fusayo Fujii and sister Stella Fujii.
He is survived by his loving partner Kimiyo Navarro, children Aric Fujii Arvin (Masako) Fujii and Ardith (Kenny) Chung, brothers Stephen (Sylvia) Fujii, Roger (Amy) Fujii and Calvin (Pamela) Fujii (deceased Feb. 26, 2022) and grandchildren Sydney Chung, Jamie Fujii and Joelle Fujii.
A service is at Kapa‘a Missionary Church on Tuesday, June 28, with visitation from 9 a.m. and services to follow. Burial will be at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home at noon. The family requests that masks be worn and there be no koden (monetary gifts).
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.