Isabel ‘Bella’ Parraga Martin
On the evening of May 29, 2023, Isabel “Bella” Parraga Martin, in her sleep, peacefully slipped from this world to be with the love of her life and her high school sweetheart, her husband, John “Johnny” Martin. Bella, as she was affectionately know by many, was 95 years young and lived on O‘ahu. She was born to Antone and Isabel “Bella” Parraga on Jan. 23, 1928, in Makaweli, Kaua‘i, up on the hill, in a cottage behind the old Olokele Sugar Plantation manager’s house. She was the oldest of three children. Bella was a 1947 graduate of Waimea High School. Bella married her high school sweetheart, John Martin of Mana, Kaua‘i, on May 7, 1949. Together they raised three children, two boys and one girl on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.
Bella was a very active homemaker, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, working in her garden and yard and of course, raising three children. Later in life, her joy were all her plants and flowers, playing the ukulele, singing and listening to Hawaiian music, traveling and visiting family and best of all, all of her grand and great-grand children. Bella would joke that she had so many grand and great-grand children that she had to write a list of names to keep track of all of them. Johnny worked for Hawaiian Airlines for 41 years before retiring, this gave the family a chance to travel a lot, after Johnny retired and the three children grew up and moved out, Bella and Johnny continued to travel and go on cruises together.
Bella loved to meet and talk to people, sometimes known as “Mrs Aloha” or “Aunty Aloha” because she was always happy and outgoing. She would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She loved talking about her family, especially her grand and great-grand children, where she had lived or visited, her love of her plants and flowers. Her conversations always left the people she spoke to with smiles on their faces, and for her, a new friend. Whenever Johnny and Bella went to visit anyone, Johnny would always plan to leave, as he would say, jokingly, “at least an hour early, because of Bella’s Spanish Goodbyes”, which sometimes lasted close to an hour, as he waited patiently for Bella to finish saying her goodbyes, which included more conversations about things she had forgotten to mention earlier.
Bella is proceeded in death by her husband of 74 years, John Martin, her parents, Antone and Isabel Parraga, sister, Emily Silva and brother Tony Parraga.
Bella is survived by her three children, John Daryl (Brenda) Martin of Wailua, Kaua‘i, Rodney Alan (Leslie) Martin of Kekaha, Lori Ann (Michael) Reeves of Mililani, O‘ahu. Eight grandchildren, two Hanai grandchildren, ten great-grand children and seven Hanai great-grand children, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank Roshelle Matias, Bella’s caregiver, for all the love and kindness she showed our mom. Mahalo to Doctor Christine L. Bell, MD, and the entire staff of the Geriatric Medicine section of Kaiser Hospital for their kindness and excellent care and to Saint Francis Hospice Care, Kelly Brun and Kelle Raitz of the Office of Veterans’ Services Kaua‘i and to Borthwick Mortuary (O‘ahu and Kaua‘i) for their services.
Bella will return to Kaua‘i, where her ashes will be interned together at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery with her husband so that they can finally spend eternity together.
Services and internment will be private and done at a later date.
Kenneth Uemura
Kenneth Uemura, 82, passed away on July 7, 2023. He was born Aug. 7, 1940, on the island of Kaua‘i, and worked as a carpenter for the carpenters union.
He was preceded in passing by his loving wife Cleopat Uemura, parents Tokuo and Kikue Uemura and brother Fred Uemura.
Kenneth is survived by his children Miles (Mindy) Uemura, Sheila (Rodney) Awong, Ricky (Helen) Uemura, three sisters, one brother, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held by the family.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens assisted the family with arrangements.
Kyong Ae ‘Kay’ Uyeno
Kyong Ae “Kay” Uyeno, of Koloa, passed away on July 22, 2023, at the age of 75. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 18, 1948. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by brothers Min Shik and Min Young.
She is survived by husband Keith Uyeno, brothers Min Soo and Min Tae of New York, Seong Soo of South Korea, sisters Kyong Sook of South Korea, Kyong Cha of California, numerous nieces and nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held by the family. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts) and flowers be omitted.
The family would like to thank and acknowledge Hawai‘i Cancer Care and Kaua‘i Hospice for their care and support.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Annie Wahinekula (Apo) Lacro
Annie Wahinekula (Apo) Lacro, 74, of Waimea, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023, at the Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Waimea, Kaua‘i, on Dec. 28, 1948.
She was a retired cafeteria helper at Waimea High School and a member of the Wai‘aka Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was an avid Bible reader, loved to cook for family gatherings, enjoyed doing word search puzzles and watching cooking shows. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her precious grandchildren, and her beloved pet cuckatoo, Pearl.
Preceded in death by parents Samuel Apo Jr., Katherine Makuaole Apo, brothers Bernard Makuaole Sr., Gary, Samuel, Alvin, Gilman, Darrell Apo and David Koani.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Julian Lacro of Waimea, daughters Myra (Adrian) Lacro Castaneda of Hilo, Jennifer (Frank) Lacro-Iwai and Maureen “Mahe” (Sam) Lacro Vegas of Kekaha, three grandchildren Kaena, Blake Micah and Hāloa. The close knit bond of her siblings Kathy (Dennis) Eastman of California, Dal (Gordon) Tremaine of O‘ahu, Dani (Jim) Newman of Washington state, Sandra “Nani” (Henry) Silva of Hilo, Kaleo (Laverne) Apo of O‘ahu, Kaeo (Debbie) Apo of Hanapepe, Roy (Petra) Apo of Arizona, Clifford Apo of Waimea, Hartwell (Judy) Apo of Kalaheo, her aunt and mentor Grace Acain of Kekaha, sisters-in-law Margaret Lacro of Waimea, Esther Lacro of Kona, Diane Apo and Sandra Makuaole of Kekaha, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at a later date.
Lucina Bayuca Cabanting
Lucina Bayuca Cabanting, of ‘Ele‘ele, passed away on July 12, 2023, at her home, at the age of 97. She was a domestic engineer.
She was preceded in death by parents Modesto and Crispina Bayuca, husband Fausto Cabanting, brothers Marcos and Frisco Bayuca and sisters Maria Bayuca and Luisa Daproza.
She is survived by sisters Rustica and Esperanza Bayuca, Carina Koch, daughters Jane (Larry) Smoke, Judy Cabanting, Erlinda (Raj) Cabanting, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Sacred Heart Mission Church in ‘Ele‘ele. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., Mass celebrated at 10 a.m., and burial will follow at Saint Raphael Catholic Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Edimor ‘Eddie’ Tangonan Yago
Edimor “Eddie” Tangonan Yago, of Lihu‘e, passed away on July 16, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center, at the age of 66. He was born in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on April 27, 1957. He was a landscaper and maintenance worker at Kaua‘i Nursery and Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
He was preceded in death by parents Antonino and Juliana Yago and brother Florante Yago.
He is survived by wife Olga Yago, sons Edgar (Michelle) Yago, Edmar (LeeAnna) Yago, daughters Kearsten (Henry) Jones, Edilynne Yago, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, Aug. 14, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lihu‘e. Visitation begins at 8:30 a.m. and Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ernest Barreira
Ernest Barreira, of Kalaheo, passed away on July 22, 2023, at the age of 96, at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born on Jan. 21, 1927 in Numila, Kaua‘i. He was a retired automotive mechanic for McBryde Sugar Plantation and Garden Island Motors. He served in the U.S. Army and was a World War II veteran.
He was preceded in death by father William Barreira, mother Rose Peters and sister Mary Cambra.
He is survived by wife Dolores Barreira, daughters Diane Generalao, Carolyn (Michael) Hutchins, Debra (Averiet) Soto, Ernette (Steven) Wagner, Corinne (Mike) Rosa, son Ernie (Annette) Barreira, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Aug. 12, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Visitation begins at 8:30 a.m. and service at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
