Obituaries for Sunday, June 26, 2022
Sister M. Candida Oroc
Sister M. Candida Oroc
Sister M. Candida Oroc embraced sister death May 29, 2022, at the Plaza at Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu, at 89 years of age and as a sister of St. Francis for 71 years.
She was born Soledad Maria Oroc in Makaweli on March 12, 1933, to the late Gregorio Jalico Oroc and Candida Sotomayor Oroc. She graduated from St. Francis Convent School, Honolulu, and entered the Sisters of St. Francis, Syracuse, New York, on Sept. 8, 1950, from St. Theresa Parish. She received the Franciscan habit and her religious name on March 1, 1951, made her first profession of vows on May 5, 1953, and her final profession of vows on Aug. 1, 1955.
Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from Chaminade College of Honolulu, a master’s degree in education from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and a master’s degree in Franciscan studies from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, New York. She later studied clinical pastoral education and was certified as a hospital chaplain.
Her ministry from 1952 to 1984 was in Catholic school education, 14 years as a teacher and 18 years as a principal. In Hawai‘i, she was assigned to St. Joseph School in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Pearl City, and Sacred Heart School, Lahaina, Maui.
She served on the staff of the Hawai‘i Catholic Schools Department for four years, then began 23 years of chaplaincy in the Spiritual Services Department at St. Francis Medical Center and St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawai‘i.
Her final years included residential supervision at Marianne Hall, community service and prayer ministry at St. Francis Convent, Manoa, O‘ahu, and prayer ministry at the Plaza at Kane‘ohe.
She will be remembered for her love of and devotion to God and her birth and Franciscan families. She displayed a vivacious outreach to people, especially in her ministry with palliative-care patients, Healing Touch and spiritual direction.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by nephew Robert Oroc.
She is survived by brother Epifanio (Panio) and sister-in-law Gregoria (Jeannie) Oroc of Kaua‘i, nephews Eric and Gregory Oroc, nieces Elizabeth Perea and Stephanie Bostick, several grandnephews and nieces and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
On June 30, 2022. a Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 129 Haiku Road, Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu, with burial at 12:30 p.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park, 529 18th Avenue, Honolulu.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Marianne Cope Convent, 2102 Liliha Street, Honolulu HI 96817.
William Scott Caldwell
William Scott Caldwell passed away June 18, 2022 in Kapa‘a, at the age of 68. He was born on Jan. 16, 1954. He was the first vice president of research and development at Targacept, Inc.
He was a man of generous spirit and intense focus. He put his all into his work and his family, from his days as a doctorate student and research chemist, his position as vice president of research and development at Targacept, Inc. of Winston Salem, North Carolina, to his love for his wife, children and grandchildren.
After retiring to Kaua‘i in 2012 he turned his passion to All Saints Episcopal Church and his wonderful church ‘ohana, helping facilitate the renovation of the pipe organ and spearheading the installation of solar panels, among many other contributions. He maintained a lifelong love of aviation, music, science fiction, photography and terrible puns. He left the world a better place than he found it, and will be profoundly missed.
He was preceded in death by parents Robert M. and Lois K. Caldwell.
He is survived by wife Cecilia Caldwell, daughter Laurel S. Caldwell of Kapa‘a, child Tai H. Caldron of Los Angeles, grandchildren Aleksandra Caldwell and Tristan Caldwell, brothers David Robert Caldwell of Greybull, Wyoming and Bruce Edward Caldwell of Fridley, Minnesota, and sister Susan Claire Griffith of Pageland, South Carolina.
A service is Sunday, June 26, at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Kapa‘a, starting at 2 p.m. The family requests aloha attire. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank. Flowers from your yard are welcome. An aloha hour will follow the service.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Allen H. Nitta
Allen H. Nitta passed away on June 18, 2022, in Kekaha at the age of 87. He was born on Aug. 18, 1934, in Waimea. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and was a transportation clerk at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.
He was preceded in death by parents Tseneo (Nick) and Mary Nitta and sister St. Tereselle (Ku‘ulei).
He is survived by wife Natalie Nitta of Kekaha, son Allen Moki Nitta of Kekaha, daughter Mary Jane (Squeaky) Suguitan of Arizona, grandchildren Dustin, Joshua and Austin Suguitan of Arizona and Izaia Nitta of Kekaha, great-grandchildren Sloan and Storey Suguitan of Arizona, brothers Kenneth Nitta (Thelma) of O‘ahu, Roland Nitta of Texas and Mitchel (Nevis) Nitta of Texas, sister Lily Sakamoto of O‘ahu, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, July 2, at the Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation 9 to 10 a.m., followed by service. The family suggests casual attire, requests that flowers be omitted, and that face masks be worn.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Karen Emiko Alapa‘i
Karen Emiko Alapa‘i, 63, of Kapa‘a, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2022, on O‘ahu. She was born on Aug. 14, 1958 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital to Michiko Patsy Higashi and Harry Y. Higashi Sr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lynn H. Ajimura-Lee, brothers Harry Y. Higashi and Boyd S. Higashi and son Kela Alapa‘i.
She is survived by her loving husband Lambert Alapa‘i, whom she was married to for 36 years. She is also survived by her daughter Jackie Alapa‘i, son Kambie Alapa‘i, sisters Gail Chun and Amanda Higashi, brother Buddy Higashi and grandchildren Kana‘i Oliver, Kyler Tom and Keawe and Zaiana Alapa‘i-Pimental.
She dedicated her life to government service in her capacity as secretary at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapa‘a, where she served for 38 years. She loved her job and was very well-known amongst her colleagues and the residents.
In her free time, she organized softball tournaments and was often seen in the dugouts as the team’s official scorekeeper. She was affectionately known and loved dearly in our ‘ohana as “The Matriarch” of the baseball park. Most of the players referred to her as “Ma.”
Off the field, she was especially famous for her exquisite desserts. After the games, at the pau-hana get-togethers and at all the family parties, everyone waited anxiously to enjoy her unique delicacies, like cheesecakes, mochi and other favorites. She was the best baker ever.
An open viewing service is Thursday, June 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Garden Island Mortuary.
A celebration of life gathering is Sunday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at the Anahola Clubhouse.
Katherine Rapozo Silva
Katherine Rapozo Silva passed away on June 10, 2022, just after reaching her goal of 100 years. She was born on May 18, 1922 on Kaua‘i. She grew up in the plantation town of Kilauea along with five sisters and two brothers. She attended Kilauea School and graduated in 1941 from Kaua‘i High School.
After graduating, she worked for the phone company on O‘ahu. Later, she married Ernest Silva on Feb. 21, 1943, and moved to Maui where she raised her family.
She is survived by children Ann Noenoe (Tony) Silva Estrella, Jean Silva Deville, Jeffrey Silva and Patrick (Sharon) Silva, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three calabash great-grandchildren.
Private services were held for the family. We want to send special thanks to the staff at Roselani Place and Hospice Maui. Also special thanks to her caregiver, Violeta Ulep, for her concern and care for our mom during her final days. Mahalo to all our family and friends for their love and support.
Stella Tsuruyo Nakamasu Miyoshi
Stella Tsuruyo Nakamasu Miyoshi, 90, of Kapa‘a, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Jan. 27, 2021. She was born on Dec. 30, 1930, in Lihu‘e. She was a sales clerk at Kojima’s, Yasuda’s, Happy Kauaian and S&S Business Services.
She was preceded in death by parents Takejiro and Thelma Nakamasu, husband Charles Miyoshi, grandson Preston Ikehara-Yasay, great-grandson Alden Fujise, brother Ernest Nakamasu and sister Florence Wakuta.
She is survived by son Bryan Ikehara of Pearl City, O‘ahu, daughters Linden (Derek) Fujise of Kan‘eohe, O‘ahu, Gwen (Gideon) Ikehara-Yasay of Kapa‘a and Diane (Reggie) Basuel of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Renee (Jared) Mendoza of Pearl City, O‘ahu, Aaron (Judy) Fujise of Seattle, Ariel (Young) Fujise of Honolulu, Kelson Yasay of Kapa‘a, Kyle Basuel of Kapa‘a, Reid Kawamoto of Kapa‘a, great-grandchildren Malachi, Manoah and Micaiah Mendoza of Pearl City, O‘ahu, brothers Roy (June) Nakamasu of Kalihi, O‘ahu and Dennis (Bernie) Nakamasu of Honolulu, sister Donna (Douglas) Kozai of Las Vegas, Francis (Walter) Ishikawa (deceased), Nancy (Andy) Talbo (deceased), Craig Miyoshi (deceased), and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center Saturday, July 9, with visitation from 2 to 3 p.m. and service at 3 p.m. The family requests casual attire. Due to COVID-19, face masks are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Byron Pohukaina Perreira
Byron Pohukaina Perreira of Kekaha passed away on May 23, 2022, at the age of 45. He was born on Sept. 22, 1976. He was a leadman carpenter for Olsen Homes Construction.
He was preceded in death by mother Aleta Blackstad Fu, maternal grandparents Alec “Sonny” Blackstad and Agnes “Billie” Blackstad and paternal grandfather George Perreira, Sr.
He is survived by son Zaiyen Matsusaka-Perreira, daughters Zayna Matsusaka-Perreira and Zaylin Matsusaka-Perreira, father George (Charmaine Wong) Perreira Jr., fiancée Shawna Balocan and her sons Kainoa Simao and Naikoa Simao, sister Malia (Doug) Freitas, brother Brian (Enjoli) Perreira, paternal grandmother Hilda Perreira, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Sunday, June 26, at Kekaha Gardens Park. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with a blessing to follow. The family requests flowers be omitted.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
