Obituaries for Wednesday, September 21, 2022
David Cecelio Otoman
David Cecelio Otoman
David Cecelio Otoman passed away on Aug. 16, 2022, in Kekaha, at the age of 69. He was born on July 21, 1953, in Waimea. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a heavy equipment tractor operator at Kekaha Sugar Co.
He was preceded in death by parents Cipriano and Sachie Otoman, brothers Sidney Nishiyama and Michael Otoman and sister Sherry Ann Otoman.
He is survived by sons Davey John Ancheta of Las Vegas, Kyle Otoman of Austin, Texas, daughter Devie Darla Dale (Taylor) Otoman-Dadius of Las Vegas, Nevada, grandchildren Chelsey Magtoto, Elijah Otoman, Pomaika‘i Feig, Aliyah Feig, Dalen Feig, Joseph Ancheta, Jordan Ancheta and Benson Ancheta, brothers Gene (Elaine Otoman) of Waimea and Joseph Otoman of Kekaha, sisters Judy (Guy) Fujita of Waimea, Lisa (Robin) Murayama of Niumalu, sister-in-law Marynel Otoman of Ewa Beach, O‘ahu and Carmelita Nishiyama of Tacoma, Washington, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation 9 to 10:30 a.m. and celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers. The family also request social distancing and face masks be worn.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bernice Claire Hiranaka
Bernice Claire Hiranaka, of Lihu‘e, passed away peacefully on Aug. 31, 2022, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital at the age of 90. She was born on April 11, 1932, in Lihu‘e. She retired from Kaua‘i Surf as a cocktail server.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mamoru Hiranaka, daughter Marla Hiranaka, parents Daniel and Rosalina Rapozo, and sisters Elizabeth Oyamot and Clara Nuivo.
She is survived by sons Leslie (Lynn) Hiranaka and Russell (Cathy) Hiranaka, grandchildren Bradley (Allison) Hiranaka, Sean (Kalia) Hiranaka, Brice Hiranaka and Michelle Isagawa, six great-grandchildren, brother Donald Rapozo, sisters Florence Oyamoto, Gwen Zaima, Priscilla (Bob) Rego, Bernadette Hodges and Beverly Rapozo, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Sept. 24, at Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Lihu‘e Cemetery.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the Hiranaka family with arrangements.
Paul Kaipo Pomaikai Jr.
Paul Kaipo Pomaikai Jr. passed away on Sept. 23, 2021, at the age of 48. He was born on Nov. 15, 1972.
He is survived by children Edward R. Navas, Paul “Pauly Boy” Navas, Kalib Navas and Kodi Navas, who all resides with their mother Thelma Navas of Nanakuli, O‘ahu, mother Lori (Lincoln) Akuna, father Paul (Donna) Pomaikai Sr., siblings Yasumori (Elsie) Pomaikai, Shyla (Richard) Colipano, Justin (Kanae) Morikawa, Jason (Michele) Padilla, Derrick (Jensen) Costido, Desiree Pomaikai and Cole Pomaikai.
A gathering of life is Friday, Sept. 23, at Hanama‘ulu Beach Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Felicita Dela Cruz Salonson
Felicita Dela Cruz Salonson passed away on Aug. 20, 2022, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, at the age of 83. She was born on Jan. 6, 1939, in the Philippines. She was an agricultural helper with Pioneer Hi-Bred International.
She was preceded in death by husband Fortunato Villanueva, parents Luis Valeriana Abraham and Pelagia Sagadraca Dela Cruz, sisters Melinia Villanueva and Erlinda Esquerra and brother-in-law Laurentino Villanueva.
She is survived by husband Herminigildo Salonson of Kekaha, son Novy (Remy) Villanueva of the Philippines, grandchildren Terrence, Kevin and Chase Villanueva, great-grandchild Calix Ghelver Menor Villanueva, brothers Ernesto (Rebecca) Dela Cruz of San Francisco, and Jose (Virginia) Dela Cruz of the Philippines, brother-in-law Benedicto Esquerra of the Philippines, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A service is Friday, Sept. 30, at the West Kaua‘i United Methodist Church in Kekaha. Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by service. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Benjamin Monje Mones Sr.
Benjamin Monje Mones Sr., 92, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Sept. 9, 2022, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital. He was born on April 4, 1930, in Pangasinan, Philippines. He retired as a landscaper with Westin Kaua‘i.
He was preceded in death by wife Loreta Mones and son Mario Mones.
He is survived by children Myrna (Ernesto) Balmonte, Jimmy Mones, Benjamin Mones Jr., Leo (Daisy) Mones and Melandro (Alegria) Mones, 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother Benny (Anna) Mones, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Eric Dale Hiroshi Wakumoto Jr.
Eric Dale Hiroshi Wakumoto Jr., 35, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Aug. 28, 2022, at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born on April 12, 1987, in Lihu‘e. He was a proud business owner of Slippery-N-Wet Pressure Washing Service, where he took pride in his work. He started his business to pass down to his children. He was a loving, hardworking, caring, devoted husband, father, son-in-law, brother-in-law, son and brother. He loved taking care of his family and never letting them go without. He enjoyed taking his family fishing, watching movies, playing RC cars and just spending time with his family. He was the jack of all trades. He could fix anything that was broken, from TVs to RC cars, cell phones and cars. He was and will always be an amazing husband and father, and he will always be our hero!
He was preceded in death by uncle Loren J. Rendon and in-laws grandparents Tony and Pearl Silva Sr. and Richard and Donna Gonsalves Sr.
He is survived by wife Tiffany Wakumoto, sons Keanu (Athea) Silva Wakumoto, Ceyan Silva Wakumoto, Keenai Silva Wakumoto and Kingsley Silva Wakumoto, daughter Kiana Silva Wakumoto, in-laws Antone and Donna Silva Jr., Antone (Chaunte) Silva III, Joseph (Brandy) Silva Sr., Shane (Jenie) Silva Sr. and Donna (David) Saroas, parents Eric Wakumoto Sr., Christine Rendon, grandparents Papa Herminio and Laureana Rendon, sisters Jenna (Kapena) Tehero and Jaimie (James) Wakumoto, brother Jonathan (Sha’nisha) Wakumoto, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 1, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary, with viewing at 10 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard John Gonsalves Sr.
Richard John Gonsalves Sr., 77, of Nevada, passed away on Aug. 4, 2022, at Renown Hospital in Nevada. He was born on Nov. 26, 1944, in Lihu‘e.
He was a crane operator for the Lihu‘e Plantation Co. After retirement he and Donna relocated to Stagecoach, Nevada, to start their new journey. He wanted to stay employed and retained a position as a truck driver from state to state. He was proud of his heritage. He purchased his own rig, naming it the “Hawaiian Delight” (with the pineapple). His final employment was with Kings Construction, Inc., with Ed King, whom became more than an employer, but family to him. He was a loving and devoted husband, fiancé, father, brother and friend to all.
He was preceded in death by wife Donna M. Gonsalves, fiancée Nancy Fernandez, parents Joseph and Adeline Pereira, sisters Roseline and David Victorino Sr., Brenda and Ernest Moniz Sr., brothers Joseph Gonsalves Sr., Wayne and Deborah Perreira Sr., granddaughter Amber Koko, in-laws Margaret Olshefski and John Nunes, William Souza, Marilyn Perreira, Priscilla and Harvey Garcia, Louise and Kenneth Santos and Joseph Daos.
He is survived by children Patrica (Norman) Gomes of California, Deanna (Chubby) Arakaki of Lihu‘e, Donna (Tony) Silva of Kapa‘a, Dela (Jeffery) Robbins of Maui, Richard (Denise) Gonsalves Jr. of Nevada and Desiree (Patrick) Koko of Anahola, sister Adeline “Angie” Souza of Nevada, brother Godfrey Pereira of Hanama‘ulu, in-laws Iranda Gonsalves of Kapa‘a and Jennifer Daos of Lihu‘e, 25 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Joshua Y.M. Hew
Known as a man of second chances, Joshua Y.M. Hew, 78, of Kapa‘a, passed away at Pali Momi Medical Center on O‘ahu on Sept. 5, 2022. He was born on March 12, 1944, in Honolulu, to Peter and Martha Hew, who moved the family to Kaua‘i in 1946. He attended high school at Hawaiian Mission Academy on O‘ahu and Lynnwood Adventist Academy in California, and graduated from Woodbury College in California. He had a variety of jobs in his lifetime, such as an accountant for a hosipital in California, general manager for Best Fruits on Kaua‘i, administrative assistant to the late Mayor Tony Kunimura, account executive for Horizon Lines, and, lastly, he was finally able to be his own boss.
He is survived by his wife Stella, daughter Jeanne (James) Rodriguez, son Alan (Jude) Hew, granddaughters Jayne (Justin) Rivera and Jenna (Joshua) Rodriquez, great-grandchildren Jayli, Jaxon and Jaden, siblings Rachel Same, Naomi Yoshida and Jerome Hew, two nieces, four nephews and numerous cousins. He was also survived by his sidekick Biscuit and his collection of pet goats.
Services will be held at the Kapa‘a Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday, Sept. 25. Visitation with the family will be from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m. The family suggests aloha attire.
Nu‘uanu Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Alice M. Nishihira
Alice M. Nishihira passed away on Sept. 15, 2022, in Waimea, at the age of 91. She was born on Sept. 29, 1930 in Honolulu. She was a retired secretary.
She was preceded in death by parents Kana and Matsu Shimabuku, husband Donald N. Nishihira, son-in-law Curtis Beougher, brothers Seijin Hokama and George Shimabuku.
She is survived by sons Jerry (Lenie) Nishihira of Kalaheo, Cy (Deb) Nishihira of Honolulu, daughters Amy Beougher of Ohio, Lynn (Brett) Bauer of Ohio, Joy (Eddy) Kaneshiro of Honolulu, brother James (Elsie) Shimabuku of Hawai‘i, sisters Lynette Nishimura of Hawai‘i, Rose Morita of Hawai‘i, Nancy Furuta of Hawai‘i and Ruth Shima of Hawai‘i, grandchildren Alyssa (James) Griffin, Jaclyn Nishihira, Elijah Nishihira, Brysen Sagucio, Kelseyanne (Brandon) Pavo, Micah Kaneshiro, Mia Kaneshiro and Gavin Nishihira, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
