Judith Eileen Matsuoka Bale
Judith Eileen Matsuoka Bale died on Feb. 22, 2023, following a terminal respiratory illness. Born on July 1, 1944 to Kenneth and Yachiyo Matsuoka, she grew up in Makaweli. She later moved to the mainland for university and practiced speech pathology for 29 years.
After the passing of her first husband Gary Ropp, she met her current husband, Gary Bale, and they resided in Minnesota. She is fondly remembered for her generosity, charisma and exuberance. From her countless stories and humor to her winning golden touch and musical talent, she was magnetic.
She is survived by husband Gary Bale, brother Ken Matsuoka, children Kenneth Ropp, Cherie Gartner, Michele Hull and Eric Bale, and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by parents Kenneth and Yachiyo Matsuoka, brother Gary Matsuoka, and first husband Gary Ropp.
As a wife, sister, mother and grandmother, she will never be forgotten. She was the light in a world full of her many stars.
A hui hou.
Harry Masami Muranaka
Harry Masami Muranaka passed away on Jan. 30, 2023, in Waimea, at the age of 87. He was born on Mar. 11, 1935, in Waimea. He was a chemist.
He was preceded in death by parents Takejiro and Kaya Muranaka, brothers Teruto, Kaoru and Satoru Muranaka, and sisters Jeannie Okuhara and Fusaye Muranaka.
He is survived by daughters Naomi (Royce) Lipp-Krysler of Kapa‘a and Jayne Muranaka of Kekaha, grandson Kupono Pereira, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at the Waimea Hongwanji Temple on Sunday, March 12. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. and service to follow at 3 p.m.
The family requests casual attire. Due to COVID-19, masks are required and temperature will be taken.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Raymond Sakae Yamane
1930 — 2023
Raymond Sakae Yamane, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 17, 2023, after a long, full life and short illness.
Born June 12, 1930, he had an idyllic childhood, running around barefoot and jumping off the pier in Waimea on the remote west side of the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i.
He traveled the United States as a telecommunication engineer, eventually meeting Jean Deis while working in a small town in upstate New York. He had to leave on another work assignment, but told her, “I’ll be back, let’s get married.” True to his word, they were married in 1961, and traveled from state to state and continent to continent together.
In 1971, they settled in Half Moon Bay, California, with their children, Rae, Jill and David. He continued his career, eventually starting his own company, Raycomm, and finally retiring to spend part of the year in his beloved Kaua‘i, summers with Jean’s family in Old Forge, New York, and gardening in Half Moon Bay, weather permitting.
He is survived by Jean, his wife of 62 years, and his sister Nancy, children Rae (Michael) Monahan of Half Moon Bay, California, Jill (Wayne) Impink of Miramar, California, and David (Sandy) Yamane of Mocksville, North Carolina, grandchildren Paul, Ian, Hannah, Evan and Mark, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Never one to draw attention to himself, he requested no service or memorial in his honor.
Susumu ‘Sus’ Miyashiro
March 19, 1931 —February 18, 2023
Susumu “Sus” Miyashiro passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91. He was born and raised in the rural Kapa‘a Homesteads, the sixth of seven children. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Hawai‘i. After college, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Japan, and then later moved to Los Angeles, where he met the love of his life, Thelma.
Sus and Thelma lived in Huntington Beach, California, where they raised their three children. He had a long and successful career as a real estate appraiser and investor. He was an avid reader, world traveler, a doting grandpa, and enjoyed landscaping and gardening.
He is survived by wife Thelma, brother Lloyd, children Milton (Mary), Lisa (Nicolas) and Howard (Carla), and grandchildren Marissa, Micaela, Mark, Julien, Claire, Mathieu, Jake and Katelyn. He will be greatly missed.
A wake is at Heritage-Dilday Funeral Home on Friday, March 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Huntington Beach, California. A funeral mass is at Sts. Simon & Jude Parish on Saturday, March 11, at 10 a.m. in Huntington Beach, California.
