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, Kristin Farmer (Tai), two granddaughters Kiana, Emma, eight siblings (Betsy, Nancy, Kathy, Peter, Ellen, Patti, Michael, 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.
Victorino Medeiros Jr.
Victorino Medeiros Jr., of Kapa‘a, passed away on Dec. 5, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center. He was born on Aug. 19, 1952, in Lihu‘e.
He was preceded in death by parents Victorino and Ruby Medeiros and brother Victor Medeiros.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth Medeiros, sons Corey Medeiros (Jenny) of Kapa‘a, Devin Medeiros of Kapa‘a, Alexander Medeiros (Leinani) of Kapa‘a, Andre Medeiros (Shiori) of Kapa‘a, daughters Ashua Medeiros of Kapa‘a, Amore Medeiros of Kapa‘a, 12 grandchildren, sisters Mary Figaroa (Jacob) of Kalaheo, Rose Bautista of Washington State, Vickie Medeiros of Washington State, numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held at Pukas Ministry Church across Kealia on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
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.
Robyn E. ‘Malu’ Dahle
Robyn E. “Malu” Dahle passed away on Dec. 1, 2023, in Honolulu at the age of 53. She was born on Nov. 18, 1970, in Lihu‘e.
She was preceded in death by father Bill Dahle and grandparents Charles and Loke Kaliloa.
She is survived by mother Rose Dahle of Anahola, significant other Darrick Banasihan, daughter Tiara Rose K. Cummings-Dahle of Anahola, grandchildren Cierra Rose Pa Cummings Dahle, Nakoa Charles K. Cummings Dahle, Khyten K. Alapai, Kaha‘i K. Alapai, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon followed by service at noon. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
James “Bradda” Kahaku Paik Jr.
James “Bradda” Kahaku Paik Jr. passed away on Oct. 28, 2023, in Anahola at the age of 81. He was born on May 13, 1942, in Wanini, Kaua‘i. He was a mason.
He was preceded in death by mother Julia Leinani Paik, father James Kahaku Paik Sr., wife Maydene Leina‘ala Paik, son Neil Kimo Keala Paik and sister Minnie (William) Breitenbach.
He is survived by daughter Kimberly Paik, sons James Kahaku Paik III, Todd Paik, Troy (Deerin) Paik, sisters Juliet (John) Kuehu, Alice (Richard) Ho, Carol (Wendell) Goo, brothers Robert (Sharon) Paik, Harry (Linda) Paik, Donald (Bernie) Paik, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary in Koloa. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with 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 Koke‘e, 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, 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 a.m. to noon, aloha attire. Internment at a later date at the Hawaiian cemetery in Kekaha. Contact Rhealene for more information: (385) 770-8770.
