Obituaries for Sunday, June 19, 2022
Rowena Poliolehua Kekahu Smith
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 from 9 to 10 a.m. and service to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ronald C. Refamonte
Ronald C. Refamonte passed away on May 15, 2022, at the age of 74, in Hanapepe.
He was born on Dec. 6, 1947 in Lihu‘e. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and retired from the state of Hawai‘i.
He was preceded in death by father Tomas Refamonte, mother Leoncia Cuyo, brothers Thomas Refamonte Jr., Jerry Refamonte and Timothy Cuyo and sisters Jean Refamonte Redira and Doris Refamonte.
He is survived by wife Koren Ishiki Refamonte, sons Ronald Boy Refamonte Jr. of Wailua, Ryan Refamonte of Wailua and Riley (Noelani) Refamonte of Kekaha, daughters Stacy Refamonte of Hanapepe and Ashley (Stanton) Yoshimori of Puhi, grandchildren Lehuanani (Keola) Baclayon, Tryston Refamonte, Sharya Refamonte, Keegan Refamonte, Taj Yoshimori, Emi Rose Yoshimori, Hunter Oligo and Starlee Oligo, great-grandchild Leina‘ala Baclayon, sisters Janet (Domingo) Largusa of Lihu‘e, Pearl (Raymond) Awana of Kane‘ohe and Beverly Cuyo of Honolulu, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Saturday, June 25 at Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. The family suggests aloha attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marion Haruko Aqui
Marion Haruko Aqui passed away on May 21, 2022, at the age of 89, in Kapa‘a. She was born on May 20, 1933, in Makawao, Maui. She was a retail sales manager.
She was preceded in death by parents Seiyei and Nabe Toguchi, brothers Clark, Kiyoshi, Hiroshi and George Toguchi, and sons-in-law Wayne Watanabe and Nelson Makanani.
She is survived by sons Joseph (Rita) Aqui of College Place, Washington, Gerald (Wanda) Aqui of Kalaheo, Glenn (Linda) Aqui of Puhi and Silas Aqui of Kapa‘a, daughters Kathleen Watanabe of Wailua and Jan Makanani of Hilo, grandchildren Richie (Jamie) Aqui, Jennifer (Kele) Kekuna, Kiana (Tyler) Palea, Kai (Shaylin) Aqui, Pua (Erin) Cobb-Adams, Brandee (Jeremy Tubera) Carrillo, Kahea (Drew) Desmarais, Jared (Kainoa) Aqui, Lehua (Bryson Vivas) Watanabe, Ryan (Lia) Aqui and Amber Aqui, great-grandchildren Keawe, Kainoa, Keanu, Duke, Emma, Amme, Tyran, Noah, Kira, Ka‘uale‘oke‘o, Kanoa, Akira, Dylan, Kalaunuiohua, Kahanohaweo, Wainohia, Ka‘onohihiwahiwa, Micah, Zayn, Grey, Leo, Aberly, Bramson, Ryder, Bryden, Rydge and Tinsley, brothers Mitsuo (Marian) Toguchi of O‘ahu, Isamu Toguchi of O‘ahu and Charles (Elaine) Toguchi of O‘ahu, sister Hatsue Arakawa of O‘ahu, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at Garden Island Mortuary Friday, June 24, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Raphael Gonsalves Jr.
Raphael Gonsalves Jr. passed away at age 86 on April 29, 2022 at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born on May 1, 1935, in Hanama‘ulu. He was a retired truck driver for E.F Neilson and ‘Aina Construction, alongside being a supervisor for Donald’s Roofing Company.
He was preceded in death by daughter Lia Ann Gonsalves, granddaughter Waileia Mable Gonsalves, great-granddaughter Haevin Gonsalves, brothers Damien and Clifford Gonsalves, parents Rafael and Mable Gonsalves and stepmother Dorothy Gonsalves.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years Veronica Rego Gonsalves, sons Raleigh Gonsalves, Donald (Evelyn) Gonsalves, Jeffery (Clammie Manipon) Gonsalves, Roger (Cherrie Mano‘i) Gonsalves and Roy (Renee) Gonsalves, daughter Teresa Gonsalves, brother Thomas (Evelyn) Gonsalves, sisters-in-law Fanny Gonsalves and Eleanor Gonsalves, 23 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Friday, June 24, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marciana Juan Maluyo
Marciana Juan Maluyo passed away on May 17, 2022, in Waimea. She was born on May 24, 1930 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was a part-time teacher.
She was preceded in death by husband Silverio Maluyo, parents Catalino and Gregoria Juan, brothers Arturo Juan, Fermin Juan, Romeo Juan and Elpidio Juan, sister Dolores J. Narciso, brother-in-law Pedro Narciso and sister-in-law Francisca Juan.
She is survived by brother Quirino (Rosita) Juan of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, sisters-in-law Esther Molina Juan of ‘Ele‘ele and Carmen Juan of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, nieces Jocelyn Marie (Jeffrey) Juan of Las Vegas, Joy Juan (Juan) Montano of Las Vegas, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Wednesday, June 22, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mikio Akagi
Mikio Akagi of Lihu‘e passed away on May 24, 2022, at the age 89. He grew up in Kaumakani and graduated from Waimea High School.
He served in the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division in Korea during the Korean War. After his military service, he moved to Chicago and then to Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, where he earned a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois. He returned to Chicago to pursue his career, and it was there that he met his beloved wife Connie. He was employed by the Chicago-based Harza Engineering Company and worked on projects not only in Chicago, but also on projects in Venezuela and Paraguay.
He had fond memories of the old plantation days. He was an avid fisherman who spent many happy days fishing the beaches fronting the Olokele Sugar Company and the Salt Pond Beach Park area. He and Connie loved visiting family on Kaua‘i. He returned to live on Kaua‘i in 2016. Upon his return he enjoyed casting his fishing line along the shores from ‘Anini to Salt Pond.
He was preceded in death by wife Connie, parents Takeru and Toshiko Akagi and brother Fumio Akagi.
He is survived by brothers Shigeru (Sue) Akagi of Seattle, Tomoji (Betty) Akagi of Madison, Wisconsin and Rikio (Betty) Akagi of Montebello, California, niece Cynthia Akagi of Houston, nephew Curtis Akagi of Montebello, California, and cousins Sue Miyahara of Honolulu, Joyce Nagata of Kilauea, Alvin (Mary) Akagi of Plymouth, Michigan, and Pam Watanabe of Wailua.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family graciously requests that no koden (monetary gifts) be given.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Glenn M. Silva
Glenn M. Silva, 67, of Moloa‘a, passed away on March 13, 2022, in Honolulu. He was born in Lihu‘e on Oct. 5, 1954 to Gwendolyn Kamali‘i and Frank Silva.
He graduated from Kapa‘a High School in 1972 and went on to start a long, successful career in the construction industry. He was well known and respected for his meticulously built seawalls around Kaua‘i, and for his excellent heavy equipment skills.
He loved his work and rarely took any days off. He was a skilled guitarist, beautiful singer, and loved riding his Harley. He was mostly known for his infectious good humor and for spreading aloha in so many loving ways. In his spare time, he doted on his cats Squirt, Buddy and Nala.
He was preceded in death by son Matthew, mother Gwendolyn and father Frank.
He is survived by wife Julie, children Angela, Jenny, David and Ryan, brothers Oscar and Patrick, two nieces, three nephews, and many grand nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Please join his family for a celebration of life on Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2838 Kealia Rd., next to the old post office.
Frederic J. Peel
Frederic J. Peel passed away on June 4, 2022, at the age of 76, at Wilcox Medical Center.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1945, in Chicago. He spent most of his life as an educator, teaching students from grade levels three to 12 in California, Alaska and Oregon, as well as almost 30 years in Hawai‘i at Hanalei, Waimea Middle and Kapa‘a Middle and High schools. He loved his family, his furry friends, and the backyard forest he created.
He was preceded in death by father Thomas F. Peel, mother Frances H. Peel and father-in-law Hideichi Yamada.
He is survived by wife Bonnie (Yamada) Peel, daughters Dawn (Elie) Sauma of Massachusetts and Lara (Anthony) Hazenfield of Colorado, son Jason K. (Beverly) Peel of O‘ahu, grandchildren Trisdan Ahuna, Sofia Sauma and Jason J. Peel, sister-in-law Virginia Yamada, sister Helen (Edward) Borgens Jr., mother-in-law Alice Yamada, niece Georgianna (Eric) Pfost of Sacramento, California, and nephew Edward (Beth) Borgens III, of Bakersfield, California.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tomiko Higa
Tomiko Higa passed away peacefully on June 11, 2022 in Lihu‘e at the age of 102. She was born on Jan. 14, 1920 in Wahiawa Camp. She was a telephone operator.
She was preceded in death by parents Tozo and Kana Higa, sister Matsue Fukushima, brothers Kenichi Pete Higa and Bill Yasuo Higa and nephews Alvin Fukushima and Calvin Fukushima.
She is survived by nephews Dennis (Jerilyn) Fukushima of Lihu‘e, Bernard Fukushima of Kapahi, Eugene Fukushima of Lihu‘e and Duane (Carol) Higa of O‘ahu, nieces Joy (Randall) Goto of Lihu‘e, Lori (Dean) Isara of O‘ahu, Stephanie Higa of O‘ahu, Valerie (Adrian) Fernandez of California and Kathy (Sean) Miller of O‘ahu, niece-in-law Rowena Fukushima of Lihu‘e, sister-in-law Hatsue Higa of O‘ahu and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
A private service will be held at a later date. The family graciously declines monetary offerings.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
John ‘Jack’ Weston Baker Jr.
John “Jack” Weston Baker Jr. passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord and savior on May 30, 2022. He was born on Dec. 24, 1949, in New Britain, Connecticut.
He graduated from New Britain High School in 1968. He worked at Beauty Enterprises in Hartford, Connecticut until his retirement in 2008.
He was a member of St. Catherine parish since he moved to Kaua‘i in 2009.
He was a free spirit with an incomparable sense of humor and wit. He saw the good in everyone, and made easy lifelong friends in all his travels.
As a result, he was a go-to guy for anything that was needed. An avid reader, he could often be found on the beach with a book in his hand and his loyal dog Moe by his side.
A true music lover, he enjoyed discovering new music, seeing live shows and sharing his discoveries with friends and family. He spent many summers as a member of the Pattaconk Yacht Club in Chester, Connecticut. He loved being on the water and taking excursions to Montauk, New York.
In the winter, he was rooting for the New York Giants. He was a devoted partner, father, brother, friend and grandfather. Nothing made him happier than making smiley-face pancakes for Lily, Brielle and Carter. The family wishes to thank Hope Lodge and Straub Medical Center ICU in Honolulu.
He was preceded in death by parents John Baker Sr. and Beatrice (Cronin) Baker of New Britain, Connecticut.
He is survived by fiancée Bernadette D’amore, children Stacy (Matt Conti) Baker of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Lindsay (Peter) Swiatek of Berlin, Connecticut, Christopher (Shannan) D’amore-Chasse of Simsbury, Connecticut and Robert Baker of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Dylan of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Owen of Berlin, Connecticut and Liliana, Brielle and Carter of Simsbury, Connecticut, brothers James Baker of Deep River, Connecticut and Thomas Baker of New Britain, Connecticut, and one niece and one nephew.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Sept. 10, at The Pattaconk Yacht Club, 61 Dock R., Chester, Connecticut, starting at 1 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to Hope Lodge, 251 S. Vineyard St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
Keith Kon Ten Ching
Keith Kon Ten Ching passed away on April 18, 2022, at the age of 69, in Honolulu. He was born on Oct. 19, 1952, in Honolulu. He was the senior vice president of Chaney Brooks and a commercial real estate broker and property-management agent in Lihu‘e.
He was preceded in death by father George Ching.
He is survived by son Ross Ching, brothers Wesley, Randall and Dwayne Ching, and mother Gladys Ching.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 25, at Troy’s Place in Lihu‘e Town Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The family requests casual attire.
Richard ‘Dick’ Brewer
Richard “Dick” Brewer, world renowned and legendary surfboard shaper and designer, rode his final wave into the sunset on May 28, 2022. He died peacefully at home in Princeville, surrounded by family and friends. He was 86.
He was born in 1936 near Lake Superior in Minnesota, and at the age of 3 moved with his family to Long Beach, California, where his father Charles, an aeronautical engineer, secured a job working on the landing gear of the DC-3 aircraft.
He picked up surfing in 1952, and in 1960 moved to the Hawai‘i’s famed North Shore, where he designed and developed the more-maneuverable, big-wave guns at Waimea and Sunset, followed by his major influence with the evolution of the short-board revolution in the late 60’s.
He was an extraordinarily brilliant man, and with his engineering background he became a quick study to the ways of surfboard hydrodynamics, and thus became the master designer for some of the biggest names in surfing’s history.
“Apart from the boards being gold-standard, and apart from being our first and last and greatest shaping guru,” says surf historian Matt Warshaw, “Brewer’s contribution was to look outside of surfing.”
His legacy in the shaping room will be emulated for generations to come, while his contributions to the sport over the course of six decades will be etched in surfing history forever.
He will be missed by all who knew him and rode his history-changing boards.
RB, as he is affectionally known, is survived by his wife Sherry of 35 years, brother Charles Brewer of Newport Beach, California, and daughters Lani and Lisa of Dallas, Texas.
The paddle out, ceremony and potluck for family and friends are Sunday, July 24, at Wai‘oli Beach Park on Hanalei Bay at 3:30 p.m.
