Rowena Poliolehua Kekahu Smith
Rowena Poliolehua Kekahu Smith passed away on May 10, 2022, at the age of 74, at her residence. She was born on Oct. 24, 1947, in Waimea. She was a retired certified nurse’s aide at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
She was preceded in death by father John Ka‘aupuiki Kekahu Jr., mother Rebecca Mikala Koani, husband Henry Smith, brothers John “Butch” Ka‘aupuiki Kekahu III and Jonathan Kawika Kekahu, and daughter Katie Ilima Lotu Kinney.
She is survived by sister Rhoda Kawaipi‘ilani Simeona, son Jay Kawika Fatu (Hazel) Lotu, daughter Robin Tupea Lehua (Kimo) Lotu, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A service is Thursday, June 23, at Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation 9 to 10 a.m., followed by service.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
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 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 requests no koden (monetary gifts).
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Esther Soonkay Lisa Lee
Esther Soonkay Lisa Lee passed away on March 23, 2022, at the age of 88, due to COVID complications while fighting cancer at UMC Hospital, Las Vegas. She was born on Dec. 3, 1933, in the Koloa ‘Ele‘ele area. She was an entertainer and floral business owner.
She was preceded in death by parents Pum Sun Lee and Mang Sun Chun Lee and first husband Tex Muneo Yamamoto.
She is survived by children Doreen “Deedee” Dale (David) Yamamoto Barney of Beaverton, Oregon, Kekona Don Yamamoto of Long Beach, California, and Bradford “Kaliko” (Kirk) Yamamoto of Honolulu, grandchildren Douglas P.M. Barney of Hawai‘i, David (Lindsey) M.K. Barney of Oregon, Deanna (Chris) L.N. Barney Cain of Oregon, Darwin (Lindsay) J.K. Barney of Oregon and Darilyn (Sean) L.K. Barney Merrill of Utah, 11 great-grandchildren, 12 soon, siblings Robert Lee of Arizona, Anne Raynor of Nevada, May Locuson of Idaho, Ruth “Honey” Sam Fong of Hawai‘i and James “Jimmy” Lee of Nevada, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Monday, June 13, at the Kapa‘a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kapa‘a Public Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Kapa‘a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 12 noon.
Ernest ‘Ernie’ Daligcon
Ernest “Ernie” Daligcon of ‘Aiea, formerly of Pakala, passed away at Pali Momi Medical Center at the age of 80. He was born on April 30, 1941, in Waimea, and grew up in Pakala. He served in the U.S. Army. For most of his career, his reputation was well known throughout the construction industry as the “go-to” guy for concrete repairs. He was so resourceful, innovative and knowledgeable, many engineers relied on him for advice, considered one of the best when it came to concrete-related products.
He was preceded in death by parents Hermenigildo and Semiona Reyes Daligcon, brothers Bonifacio “Sid,” Bernaldo “Moon,” William “Willie” and Maxie Daligcon, and sisters Seledonia Daligcon Asuncion and Nora Daligcon.
He is survived by spouse Paula Daligcon, children Audra (Leo) Uitto, Marlina (Jack) Hufstetler, Bill (Roberta) Henne, Tina Cuellar and Mia Henne, grandchildren Elijah and Adam Hufstetler, Jacob and Isabella Cuellar, Jaxton Andrade, brothers Jim (Barbara) of Seattle, Ronald (Lona) of Seattle and Rod (Doris) of Lihu‘e, sisters Celestina Correa of Sonoma, California, Addie Marticio of Seattle and Lourdes (Bill) Cox of Ottawa, Canada, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 11, at Honolulu Country Club, starting at 10:30 a.m., with lunch to follow. The family invites guests to join and share stories and memories of Ernie with all.
Laura Ipo Motu’apuaka
Laura Ipo Motu’apuaka passed away on May 24, 2022, at the age of 69, in Las Vegas. She was born on Feb. 12, 1953, in Lihu‘e.
She was preceded in death by parents Priscilla Kaipoleimanu Alencastre (nee Schumacher) and retired Col. Melvin Alencastre of Lihu‘e and Honolulu, brother Timothy Alencastre of Volcano, Hawai‘i Island, and husband Inoke Tualau Motu’apuaka of Te’ekiu, Tonga.
She is survived by daughters Kaipolemanu (Leo) Episom, Mounu (John) Nakayama, Makalapua (Tevita) Lose, Makeleta (Fa’auo) Faga and Lucia-Sosefina (Ariel) Motu’apuaka, son Alaipulotu (Kuongafo’ou) Motu’apuaka, grandchildren Kaipoleimanu LienKapi, Hola Rosalia, Isaia Molofaha, Laura Marcellina, Alyana Amaro, Melvin Tosiwo, Priscilla Ulukilupetea, AJ Amaro, John Masao, Grace Nofoivaimaofanua and Sosefina Lyn, sister Makalapua Alencastre, and brother Melvin Alencastre.
A celebration of life service was held at The Gardens Park in Summerlin, Las Vegas.
Frances Gadingan
Frances Gadingan passed away on May 23, 2022, at the age of 92, on O‘ahu. She was born on July 13, 1929, in Pu‘unene, Maui. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years Leon Gadingan, son-in-law Richard Tomita, grandsons Cyrus Gadingan and Sean Agoot, mother Eulogia Nicolas, father Guillermo Tacderan, sisters Helen Nono, Linda Cadiam and Bernie Bueno, and brothers Frankie Polintan, Ernest Tacderan and Arthur Tacderan.
She is survived by children Jeannie (Stanley) Agoot, Leonard (Faith) Gadingan, Leona (Richard, deceased) Tomita of O‘ahu, Leonel “Sonny” (Emily) Gadingan, grandchildren Lorelei (Joseph) Hosea of O‘ahu, Kimberlyn (Keith) Howell of Happy Valley, Oregon, Lance Tomita of O‘ahu, Donovan (Rhonda) Gadingan, Kylene (Timothy Jr.) Albao, Chelsea (Chris) Goshi of O‘ahu, Tyson (Kazuko) Gadingan of O‘ahu, Jason (Kimberly) Steele of Virginia and Edward Steele, great-grandchildren Ryan Agoot of Seattle, Chloe, Kainoa and Chrissy Howell of Happy Valley, Oregon, Luana and Aidan Gadingan, Mason Tomita of O‘ahu, Kai‘ea and Kiowa Albao, Trent and Blake Goshi of O‘ahu, and Jace and Harper Steele of Virginia, sisters Clarita Visitacion, Dolores (Eddie) Recopilacion of O‘ahu, Maggie Bermudes of Las Vegas, Kathleen (Jose) Arucan of O‘ahu, Marilyn Salas and Norma Salas of O‘ahu, and numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit the family on Saturday, June 18, at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m., with service and Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Raphael Cemetery. The family requests that masks be worn at all times.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
