Helen V. Ramones
Helen Ramones, 96, a one-time resident of Wailua Homesteads, passed away on May 16, 2022, in Topeka, Kansas, where she lived with her daughter Valerie (Tom) Ramones-Blair for nine years. She as born in Kona, Hawai‘i Island.
She is survived by daughter Valerie (Tom) Ramones-Blair, son Richard (Karen), three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is at Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday, Aug. 9, starting at 9 a.m., followed by Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Virginia A. Rapozo
Virginia A. Rapozo, 97, who was born in and lived in Kalaheo, passed away on May 17, 2022, at Wilcox Medical Center in Lihu‘e. She attended Kalaheo School and graduated from Waimea High School. While working on O‘ahu, she met, fell in love with and married Frank Rapozo, the love of her life. They were married for 53 years until his passing in 2003.
Frank and Virginia returned to Kalaheo to start their life together, and raised a daughter and a son. Besides being an industrious homemaker, she was a forward-thinking rancher who was always trying to improve their small herd. Raising cattle, horses, plants, gardening, fishing, hunting, cooking and storytelling were a few of her many joys.
She was preceded in death by parents John and Mary Costa Ayres, sisters Emily (Frank) Souza, Frances Corral, brothers Joaquin (Nancy) Corral, Manuel (Frances) Corral and Joseph (Carrie) Corral.
She is survived by daughter Barbara (Lawrence) Rego, son John Rapozo, grandchildren Tamara (Jeffrey Garcia) Rego, Andrew (Paula) Rego, Alithia Rapozo, Nicholas Rapozo, great-grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Malia and Marcus Manipon, Isaac, Nathan and Noah Rego, brother Antone (Josephine) Corral, caregivers Diane C. Cooke, Helen Mattingly, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private service, with burial to follow, will be held at Holy Cross Church on July 21.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dean (Deane) B. Abben
Dean (Deane) B. Abben passed away on June 17, 2022, in Hanama‘ulu, at the age of 98. He was born on May 13, 1924, in Little Rock, Iowa. He went to USC and studied dramatics. He worked for an aircraft company during World War II in California and for a mining company in Idaho, where he learned to fly and obtained his pilot license. He was also a salesman for NRC.
He came to Kaua‘i in 1964 to build the Kaua‘i Resort Hotel. He also had a ski water show called Wailua Gardens. He was self-employed and started his own Hanama‘ulu store, which opened in 1968 and closed in 1985. He started Hanama‘ulu Trading Company in 1977, which he managed until 2001, due to being blind in both eyes from macular degeneration. He enjoyed collecting antiques and cars. Many businesses got their start from him. He was also a participant of the multi-ethnic cohort study since its inception. His medical records are studied and will benefit for future generations.
He was preceded in death by son Gary Abben, parents Benjamin and Zella Abben, sisters Ruthene Kerslake, Zelma Fortney, mother-in-law Ines Lazaro and brother-in-law Colin Sunada.
He is survived by wife Joaquina “Kina” L. Abben, son Philip Abben of Oregon, father-in-law Andres Lazaro of Kapa‘a, brothers and sisters-in-law Dino (Mary Beth) Lazaro of Kalaheo, Nerio (Alida) Lazaro of Brydeswood, sisters-in-law Venus Lazaro of Lihu‘e, Mary Sunada of Lihu‘e, Virginia Bragg of Kapa‘a, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
According to his wishes, a private scattering of ashes will be at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Clara Jane Nuivo
Clara Jane Nuivo, 89, of Lihu‘e, passed away at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on June 14, 2022. She was born on May 16, 1933, in Hanama‘ulu. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by parents Daniel Rapozo, Rose Rapozo-Rodrigues, husband Paustino “Skinny” Nuivo, great-grandchildren Keean Nuivo, Alazne Amorin and sister Elizabeth Oyamot.
She is survived by children Pamela (Anthony) Pantil, Dawn (Masa Yamamoto) Amorin, William “Willie” (April) Nuivo, Kerry (Joy) Nuivo, Rose (Lelo Tangalin) Horka, brother Donald Rapozo, sisters Bernice Hiranaka, Florence Oyamot, Gwen Zaima, Priscilla (Bob) Rego, Bernadette Hodges and Beverly Rapozo, grandchildren Kerensa Nagahisa, Tyran (Mariann) Nuivo- Pantil, Ashleen (Cheston) Omo, Emerson (Amber) Amorin, Jennifer (Keola Christian) Amorin, Taytralyn, Kaneala and Kent Nuivo, Kyle (Ashlei Nagao) Nuivo, Nani (Kalani) Lizama, Momi Silva, Mikalyn Hiranaka, Jordyn Nuivo, Travis (Kimmy) Horka, Tairoy Horka, great-grandchildren Kurtis (Caitlin Caberto) Nagahisa, Kobe Nagahisa, Tiana, Shaylene, Jaeden and Masyn Pantil, Carsyn and Axton Omo, Xaerys Dela Cruz, Aryana, Alexia and Ethan Amorin, Kainalu and Makani Kapu, Lokahi Christian, Kyrie Nuivo and Alena Nuivo, Kalei, Kaeo and Kala‘i Lizama, Madison and Haylee Silva, Rhandi, Rhylen and Kholten Hiranaka, Treicen and Teigan Horka, Kailea Horka and Hilina‘i Borrero, great-great-grandchildren Kruz Nagahisa and Keilani Lizama, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 16, at Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held at a later date. The family suggests casual or aloha attire.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Maikolo Hola (Kolo Boi) Koli
Maikolo Hola (Kolo Boi) Koli passed away at his home on May 27, 2022, at the age of 31. He was born on July 13, 1990, in Lihu‘e. He was a mason, rock wall builder and construction worker for Koli Contractor and Tree Trimming.
He was preceded in death by grandfather Sam Pa.
He is survived by parents Angelina and Lealiki Koli, hanai son Sosaia Koli, goddaughters Amene Kanahele, Kaleopule Kanahele, Hi‘ilani Pa, Sekope Sitani, hanai daughters Norma Perez, Siosiana Hui Ah Sam, grandparents Darlene “Yvonne” Pa, Taniela, Lepeka Koli, sisters Kalei (Pomaika‘i) Kanahele, Kaho (Angel) Garcia, Lepeka (Tim Ford) Koli, hanai sister Keahi Tita Apana, brother Taniela (Lisa) Koli, hanai brother Kalani Pa, nieces Valina and Anela Garcia, Kaylea “Honey Honey” Lupe Koli, Palomesi Ford, nephews Taniela Koli, Timothy Ford, numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 16, at the Sam Pa residence, 3887 Mahuahua Road, Anahola, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Teeana Kaleimokihana Valpoon
Teeana Kaleimokihana Valpoon passed away on Sept. 17, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center at the age of 32. She was born on July 15, 1989, in Lihu‘e and was a graduate of Kapa‘a High School. She worked for Wyndham and Kuhio Motors.
She was preceded in death by sister Mistie K. Valpoon, grandfather Clifford Matsushima Sr., and grandmother Beverly Ann Valpoon.
She is survived by son Liloa (Elijah) Ragsac, parents Leah “Teete” (Russell Iida) Matsushima, Amil “Ekolu” (Nani) Valpoon, brother Cody (Ipo) Valpoon, stepbrothers Cody and Josh (Rylee Pavao) Mersberg, grandmother Katherine Matsushima, grandfather Amil “Tinoa” Valpoon, nephews Lokahi, Lawai‘a and Kaikoa, niece Lihau, and numerous aunties, uncles and cousins who loved her dearly.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 16, at Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church, Anahola, with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at noon.
Abraham Machado Sr.
Abraham Machado Sr. passed away on June 14, 2022, at the age of 92. He was born on June 18, 1929, on Kaua‘i. He was a retired welder with Lihu‘e Plantation and a Korean War veteran.
He was preceded in death by parents Manuel Machado Jr. and Cynthia Soares Machado, wife Helen Machado and brother Douglas Machado.
He is survived by sons Abraham (Linda) Machado Jr. and Darren (Raquel) Machado, daughters Joann (Lowell) Kane and Blanche (Gilmore) Claonan, brother Bernard (Shirley) Machado, grandchildren Cynthia and Chase, and great-grandchildren Noelani and Dalton.
His celebration of life is at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a Saturday, July 16, with visitation from 9 a.m., services at 9:30 a.m., and burial at 1 p.m. at the Hanapepe Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
