Obituaries for Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Setsuko Kobayashi
Setsuko Kobayashi
Setsuko Kobayashi passed away on Nov. 13, 2023, at her home in Koloa, Kaua‘i, at the age of 90. She was born in Koloa to Tokuichi and Kinu Hadama on March 4, 1933, and retired as a cook from the Wilcox Hospital cafeteria.
The youngest of 5 children, Setsuko and her siblings were invited by their neighbor in Oma‘o to attend the “brown church” in Koloa. During her childhood days of attending Sunday School and learning about the Bible, Setsuko decided to place her faith and trust in Jesus and to receive Him as her personal Lord and Savior. She did her best to live a life committed to the Lord and to raise up her children and grandchildren according to the truth of God’s Word.
Setsuko will always be remembered for her sweet smile, her heart of gratitude and her ability to live in the moment. Although her memory declined in her final years, she never forgot to say thank you to family and friends she spent time with. The joy of the Lord continued to be her strength until she took her final breath here on earth. Setsuko loved doing word search puzzles and attending the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center where she enjoyed playing bingo, trivia and charades. She also loved singing and we know that she is now singing with the angels in her eternal home in heaven.
Setsuko was preceded in death by her husband Toshio Kobayashi, her parents Tokuichi and Kinu Hadama, her sisters Kiyono Sato, Shigeko Ogata, her brothers Richard Fumio Hadama and Walter Masami Hadama.
She is survived by her daughters Laurie (Michael) Depoe of ‘Ele‘ele, Lynne Kobayashi of Koloa, son Miles (Mary Jean) Kobayashi of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Jaycie, Sean, Kody, Allan Jeremy (Taylor), Mikaela, Madden, Arahbella, great-granddaughter Ayla, numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Services will start at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. Burial services will be held at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
The family would like to extend a very special Mahalo to the Kaua‘i Hospice team for all their love, support and encouragement that they provided.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Herbert Akira Nishikawa
Herbert Akira Nishikawa, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Nov. 27, 2023, at the age of 84. He was born on Oct. 12, 1939. He was a retired professor of nursing at the University of Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by parents Masanori and Yoshiko Nishikawa, siblings Edwin, Frances Galdeira and Henry Sr.
He is survived by sister Bessie Furushima of Lihu‘e, sister-in-law Gladys Nishikawa of Los Angeles, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
Private services will be held.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary and Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home are assisting the family with the arrangements.
Odetta Kapuaonalani NeSmith
Odetta Kapuaonalani NeSmith died peacefully at home in Kekaha, Kaua‘i, Nov. 28, 2023. Born Odetta Kapuaonalani Kauhane in Keaukaha, Hawai‘i, to Sam Kekuawela Kauhane and Annie Kealoha Kaaialii, she was one of eleven children. She served in the U.S. Army and married Bill NeSmith Jr., who served in the U.S. Air Force and worked at the NASA tracking facility in Kokee, Kaua‘i. He died Nov. 21, 1998.
They are survived by their seven children John, Kevin, Rhealene, David, Pinky, Keao, Kimo, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two sisters Maile Hallums, Naomi Kauhane and one sister-in-law Jaunette NeSmith Mauer-Reaneo.
Odetta taught hula to Kaua‘i communities under the Foundation for Culture and the Arts in many towns around the island in the 1970s and worked as an educator at Waimea High School, the California Department of Education, San Bernardino County, and Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha in Kekaha.
Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kekaha Ward, on Jan. 10, 2024, from 10-12, aloha attire. Internment at a later date at the Hawaiian cemetery in Kekaha. Contact Rhealene for more information: (385) 770-8770.
Francisco Mission
Francisco Mission, of Makaweli, passed away on Nov. 21, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 88. He was born on May 11, 1935, in Waimea. He was a retired field hand for Gay & Robinson and a security officer for Garden Island Security.
He was preceded in death by wife Stella Sylvia Mission, brothers Raymond Priego, Richard Mission, sisters Felicidad Jacot, Priscilla Ramos, Bernadita Priego-Hunt, Anne Chang-Reis and great-great-grandson John Keaka Bagain.
He is survived by sons Francis “Bully” Mission of ‘Ele‘ele, Clifford (Shanlyn) Mission of Kapa‘a, daughters Dawn (Rudy) Bagain of Hanapepe, Sylvia (Gerard) Lagazo of Oma‘o, Lisatte (Tony) Pajela of Puhi, 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, sister Dolores Dorothy Keale of Waimea, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leonides Osias Bajit
Leonides Osias Bajit, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Dec. 7, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 76. He was born on April 22, 1947, in Villasis Pangasinan, Philippines.
He was preceded in death by son Joel Bajit, parents Mariano and Tomasa Bajit and sister Maxima Jardin.
He is survived by wife Juliet C.Bajit of Lihu‘e, daughter Charlene B. (Harbey G.) Manglallan of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Harley B. Manglallan, Chandler B. Manglallan, Caden B. Manglallan, brother Melchor O. Bajit (Milagros Buduan) of ‘Ele‘ele, sisters Antonia O. Bajit of Kalaheo, Olivia B. (Pablo) Antolin of Kalaheo, Teresita O. Bajit of Honolulu, brother-in-law Rolando Jardin, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo on Dec. 30, 2023. Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
MaryJane (Ruiz) Vegas
MaryJane (Ruiz) Vegas formerly of Kaua‘i and Kailua, born on Dec. 7, 1934, received her wings on Nov. 7, 2023.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 60 years John Vegas, Sr.
She was preceded in death by sisters Rose Medeiros, Shirley Cambra, Millie Ruiz, brother Damascio Ruiz, Jr., brother-in-law Herbert Cambra and sister-in-law Edith Ruiz.
She is survived by brother Donald Ruiz, sister-in-law Thelma Ruiz, children Jeffrey Vegas (Kerena), Johnna Vegas, John Vegas, Jr. (Lisa), Jennifer Vegas, Jocelyn Awong (Tommy), 15 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, immediate family viewing at 9 a.m., public invited at 9:30 a.m., services to follow. Burial at Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
A celebration of their lives will be held on Kaua‘i at a later date.
Marie Patsy Lopes
Marie Patsy Lopes, of Hanama‘ulu, passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 2, 2023, at the age of 92. Born on April 27, 1931, she was a diligent woman who worked in the pineapple and sugarcane fields, provided care for young children, and was a self-employed janitor.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents John Sa and Emelia Garcia Sa, husband Manuel Lopes, daughter Bibiana Lopes, brother Vincent Sa, sister Alice Arruda, great-grandson Chavis Cortez-Duclayan, and hanai brother Frank G. Perreira.
She is survived by children Dorine (Junior) Pegeder, Adele (Roy) Duclayan, Derek (Holly) Lopes, Eric Lopes, as well as sister-in-law Helen “Honey” Sa, ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Jan. 6, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Visitation with family begins at 8:30 a.m. and Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. by Father Augustine “Gus” Utthupu. Inurnment shall follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Kapaia.
Arrangements were coordinated by Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. A special thank you to the compassionate team at Kaua‘i Hospice.
Kenneth Isamu Watari
Kenneth Isamu Watari, of Hanalei, passed away on Oct. 19, 2023, at the age of 67 years old. He was born on Nov. 23, 1955.
He was preceded in death by father Hideo Robert Watari and nephew Thomas Kaina Hideo Hashimoto.
He is survived by mother Elaine Setsuko Watari of Hanalei, brothers Robert (Lillian) Watari, Russell (Karen) Watari, sister Wanda Hashimoto of Hanalei, niece Lily Watari, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Diane ‘Deedee’ Castillo Ward
Deedee Ward, 72, of Vacaville & Elk Grove, California, passed away on Nov. 27, 2023. She was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, on Sept. 23, 1951, her family roots are in Kapa‘a, Hawai‘i.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wallace and Norma Castillo, two siblings Terri Castillo, Stephanie Castillo and cousin Sharol Castillo whom Deedee was caregiver to.
Deedee is lovingly survived by her husband Ivan of 52 years, daughters Brandi “Kiane” (Jorge) Reyes, Mahana (Jacob) Garciam Tiana (Nataka) Ward-Jenkins. She was beloved by her sisters Zenaida (Richard) Sawyer, Leslie (Garrett) Scales, Patricia (Clifford) Furtado and Joanne (Peter) Brun. She had 13 grandchildren, 1 ½ great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is also survived by her hanai children Leilani Barbadillo and Juan Desmarias.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Vacaville, California, on Jan. 13, 2024, with a scattering of ashes in the San Francisco Bay. Her heart’s desire was to return home to Kaua‘i. Lord willing, a celebration on Kaua‘i will be held.
Deedee was known for her sweet, quiet and gentle spirit and always prayerful. She had an unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with whom she now resides in His loving arms in eternal heaven. She was a beautiful wife, mother, grand-mother, sister and friend. She lovingly cared for others in their need and would take them into her heart and home. She lived life well, full of humble service, unconditional love and steadfast hope.
William Ackerman Allen
William (Bill) Ackerman Allen passed away on Dec. 11, 2023, surrounded by love. A frequent visitor to Kaua‘i, Bill was born in Yonkers, New York, in 1941 — the first child of Jim and Eileen Allen, who went on to give Bill nine siblings.
The family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1950. Bill graduated from the University of Arizona in 1963, winning a varsity letter in swimming his freshman year. He then moved to California and received his J.D. at Pepperdine University.
In 1988, Bill became a Commissioner for the Los Angeles County Superior Court California where he earned a reputation as a fair jurist, whose insights, well written judgments, and practical rulings were seldom challenged.
He attributed his expertise at calming the waters and arbitrating disputes in the courtroom to his position as the oldest sibling.
Bill loved athletics (swimming, body surfing, golf, hiking, racquetball), fine food (knew where to eat, what to eat, and how to prepare it), reading (a voracious reader, book recommendations were always at the ready), the arts (musical theater, foreign films, museums, etc.) travel (told you not only where to go but where to eat). His incomparable quick wit accompanied all he did.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Sexton Allen (Kathy), who gave him unparalleled happiness the last 30 years of his life, daughters Elizabeth (Liz) and Rebecca (Becky) Allen, and Kristin Farmer (Tai), and two granddaughters, Kiana and Emma, eight siblings (Betsy, Nancy, Kathy, Peter, Ellen, Patti, Michael and Barbara), numerous nieces and nephews. His brother and dear friend, Dean, predeceased him.
The memorial service is private. Donations in his memory can be made to the charity of your choice.
