Simeona Balabag Geston
Simeona Balabag Geston, 86, of Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i, passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2023. She was born on Sept. 5, 1937, in Besao, Mt. Province, Philippines.
When living on Kaua‘i, she worked as a ward clerk at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital.
She is survived by her brother George Balabag (Nancy) of the Philippines, daughters Christine Takahashi (Dennis) of Hilo, Deborah Nishihira (Cy) of Honolulu, Eunice Fukunaga (Devin) of Ewa Beach, and Tessie Geston of Virginia. She is also survived by her grandchildren Chelsea, Scott, Gavin, Taylor, Toni, Ethan, Claudia along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Simeona was predeceased by her husband, parents and three brothers.
Services will be held at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Aiea, on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Visitation from 9:30 a.m. followed by service at 10:30 a.m.
Dorene Duterte Frey
Dorene Duterte Frey, 72, of Kalaheo, passed away in Lihu‘e on Nov. 2, 2023. She was born in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i on Sept. 25, 1951, and retired as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Bone and Joint Center at Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bernardo and Annie Castillo and brother Patrick Castillo.
Dorene is survived by her husband Anthony Frey, daughter Josephine (Jason) Steele, two grandchildren, sister June Tada, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Dorene’s life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Holy Cross Church with visitation from 8:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Reception to follow.
Family graciously declines flowers and donations may be made to American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org, American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Makoto Hirata
Makoto Hirata passed away peacefully at his home in Kapa‘a on Nov. 10, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born in Wailua Homesteads on July 15, 1928, and graduated from Kapa‘a High School. He and his wife Miyoko raised their family in Gardena, California, where he had a long career in construction. In 1993 they moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, where they lived their dream of retiring on the Oregon Coast — enjoying the bounty of the sea and the forests and hosting many visitors. In 2011, the couple returned to Kaua‘i to live out their years in their Kapa‘a home. Makoto maintained abundant gardens in every place he lived.
He was preceded in death by his wife Miyoko, parents Shiro and Ichi Hirata, siblings Yoneo Hirata, Satoshi Hirata, Ichiyo Kunichika, Hatsue Onuma, Kaoru Hirata and James Hirata.
He is survived by his brother Yutaka Hirata, of Torrance, California, daughters Susan Hirata (Mark Young) of Eugene, Oregon, Julie Hirata of Huntington Beach, California, grandchildren Winter Young of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Jade Young of Portland, Oregon.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Alegado/Ancajas family and Kaua‘i Hospice for their care and support.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paul Andrew Banasihan Sr.
Paul Andrew Banasihan Sr., of Waimea, passed away on Nov. 9, 2023, in Waimea at the age of 71. He was born on Nov. 7, 1952, in Lihu‘e. He was an Auto Skills Attendant & Welder.
He was preceded in death by parents Federico and Leonora Banasihan, brothers Eddie, Leonard and Joseph Banasihan.
He is survived by partner Roberta Puakea, sons Mark Banasihan of Atlanta, Georgia, Paul Banasihan, Jr. of Kea‘au, daughters Genevieve Silva (Peter Jr.) of Waimea, Regina Banasihan of Kekaha, Lorna Pedro-Villanueva of Mountain View, 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sisters Pat Banasihan of Kekaha, Annette Meranian of Kekaha, brothers Samuel (Bernie) Banashian of Hanapepe, Rick (Rinda) Banashian of Kalaheo, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at St. Theresa Church in Kekaha. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. A celebration of life luncheon to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rodney Wade Oyamot
Rodney Wade Oyamot, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Sept. 13, 2023, at his home in Lihu‘e at the age of 65. He was born on Oct. 4, 1957 in Waimea, Kaua‘i. In his early years he delivered furniture for Kawakami Furniture, then moved on to driving for Big Save Co., and later drove for Senter Petroleum as a fuel truck driver.
He was preceded in death by parents Severino and Elizabeth Rapozo Oyamot, sister-in-law Helena Oyamot and brother-in-law Calvin Fukushima.
He is survived by wife Josephine Rasay-Oyamot, stepson Jason Rasay-Gasmen of Lihu‘e, stepdaughter Maren Rasay of Lihu‘e, three step grandchildren, sisters Rowena (Kelley Phillips) Fukushima of Lihu‘e, Wenda (Chuck) Moon of Waimea, brothers Mansfield (Noreen) Oyamot of Hanapepe, Malcolm (Faith Melandish) Oyamot of Kapa‘a, Jonathan (Marietta) Oyamot of Hanapepe, numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Services will be held on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at the Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation starting at 9 a.m. and celebration of life to begin at 10 a.m. The family requests no flowers at this time.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Herman Hajime Arbilera
Herman Hajime Arbilera, 67, passed away on Oct. 3, 2023, at The Queen’s Medical Center battling illness. He was born on Dec. 12, 1955, in Waimea, Kaua‘i. He moved to Maui ending of 2001.
He was very passionate about working as a drywall specialist for many years. Loved surfing, walking on the beach, working in the yard, and most of all spending time with loved ones BBQing and talking stories.
He is survived by his lifelong partner Wendy Fulfs, sons Hart (Cindy), Dayne (Mynalei) , Hyran (Kelly), daughter Destiny (Alvin), seven granddaughters and four grandsons, sisters Gail and Vivian, numerous nieces and nephews.
A private ceremony and spreading of ashes will be held for close family and friends at Kekaha Cemetery (Park Hook Tong) on Saturday, Dec. 2, starting at 8 a.m.
Aloha Mortuary on O‘ahu assisted the family with arrangements.
