Nancy Fuertes Ueno
Nancy Fuertes Ueno, 84, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend was welcomed into the arms of our Lord on Sept. 14, 2023. She passed peacefully at home as she wished, surrounded by her family and friends. Nancy was an award-winning lei maker, credited and published in several books on lei making. She was happiest when she was doing things for others, cooking, painting and making leis. She was a licensed practical nurse, and retired from the office of elderly affairs, with the county of Kaua‘i. But the job she was best known for was babysitting. She was an active member of the West Kaua‘i United Methodist Church and a 30 year hospice volunteer.
She is survived by her children Sandra (Kent) Brown (Nevada), Ryan (Kathy) Baniaga (Kaua‘i), Sharla Baniaga (Kaua‘i), Raenella Fuller (Texas), grandchildren Marcy and Morris Brown, Brysen Baniaga, siblings Anita Malama, Basilio Fuertes Jr., Carmen Vierra, Victoria Fuertes, Rose Mary (Allen) Saraos, David (Carol) Fuertes, Connie Baniaga (Hanai Sister), Tony Howland (Heather)(Hanai Son) and Bryce Howland (Sweetie) (Hanai Grandson).
The family would like to express their deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Monty Downs and the Kaua‘i Hospice staff for the exceptional care of our mother and grandmother.
Service will be held at the Kaumakani location of the West Kaua‘i United Methodist Church on March 2, 2024. Viewing is at 10 a.m. with service to follow at 11 a.m.
Geronimo Bartolome Gonzales
Geronimo Bartolome Gonzales, of ‘Ele‘ele, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 13, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on Sept. 30, 1931. He was a laborer for McBryde Sugar Plantation, Kaua‘i Coffee, Dekalb, Monsanto and Pioneer Corn.
He was preceded in death by parents Donato and Anselma Gonzales and sister Feliza Gonzales.
He is survived by wife of 66 years, Felipa Tongson Gonzales, children Lorna (Greg) Cerny, Zenaida (Peter) Tausend, Cornelia (Daniel) Works, Mercedes (Fredulin) Casticimo, Andy (Jane) Gonzales, Maria (Mark) Marsh, Lovelyn (Greg) Andres, 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Visitation starts at 8:30 a.m., Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. and burial to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Contrado Acierto
Contrado Acierto passed away on Jan. 31, 2024, at home in Kapa‘a at the age of 84. He was born on March 25, 1939, in Koloa. He served in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard and was a supervisor at Tower Construction on O‘ahu.
He was preceded in death by parents Jose and Faustina Acierto, wife Helena Dabin Acierto, brothers Benjamin Acierto, Alfredo Acierto, sister Lazara Laboguen, son Allen “Moose” Lopez, grandson Anthony Waipa, granddaughter Juliana Lopez and great-granddaughter Deysha Machado.
He is survived by daughters Esther (Raynard) Machado, Bernadette “Bernie” (Shilo) Pa, son Edmund “Eddie” (Kim) Acierto, Martin “Ali” Birtodaso, Garrick Lopez, Ronald (Jeanette) Lopez, Frederick “Joe” (Lihue) Lopez, Kathlyn Christian, Melissa Dabin, sisters Gloria (Larry-deceased) Rivera, Mary (Richard-deceased) Link, 32 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2838 Kealia Road in Kealia beginning at 8 a.m. Inurnment will follow at St. Catherine Church Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kristin J. Zalesky
May 7, 1972 — January 26, 2024
Kristy, the daughter of John Zalesky and Linda (Natale) Zalesky, passed away on Jan. 26 after a two year bout with cancer.
Kristin was born on May 7, 1972 in Panorama City, California. She spent most of her younger years growing up in Agoura, California, graduated from Oak Park High School in 1990 and went on to Santa Barbara City College completing her studies.
After graduation she moved to Hawai‘i where she began her career as a manager of many departments with the Hyatt Hotel system. At the time of her passing she was employed at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Koloa, Hawai‘i, where she was highly respected and loved by the entire staff.
Kristy was quite an active individual. She loved to travel and had been to many countries. She was also very athletic, ran in numerous 5-10 k runs. Other adventures were scuba diving and she also parachuted from a plane or two.
Although Kristy had no direct connection to the Northampton, Massachusetts, area, her grandparents were from this city as well as many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins from the Natale family as well as the Sharac family.
Kristin is survived by her mother Linda, her father John and stepmother Carole, her brother John III and nephew John IV, her fiancé Mr. Sandy Gottllieb, her Aunt and Godmother M. Charlene Abrahamsen and Aunt Lucille Straub.
Camellia ‘Cami’ Ann Ditch-Crosby
Camellia “Cami” Ann Ditch-Crosby passed away on Dec. 19, 2023, at her residence at the age of 77 years old. She was born on July 15, 1946, in Lihu‘e. She was a childcare giver, secretary at Kaua‘i Medical Clinic and office manager at the Lihu‘e Veterans Affair Administration Office.
She was preceded in death by mother Ramona Esquirra Akiyama, stepdad Minato Akiyama, hanai mother-in-law Florence Alfonso Dotario, father Warren Ditch, stepmother Peggy Ditch, brothers Donald Ditch, Mike Ditch and stepsister Sharon Kay McKinney.
She is survived by caregiver/youngest daughter Leah N. Dotario Alayvilla of Lawa‘i, sons Stanley (Lydia) Dotario Jr. of Kalaheo, daughter Ramona (Bernie) Agor of Kekaha, grandchildren Justin Dotario, Tiara (Sly) Dotario, Keith (Annie) Nonaka, Branden (Taelynn) Scovel, Kasey (Jr) Nonaka, Aleigha (Elijah) Scovel, Jenna (Wyatt) Scovel, Keanu (Iris) Dotario, Micah (Lexis) Scovel, nine great-grandchildren, brothers Warren (Connie) Ditch of Kaneohe, Stewart (Faye) Ditch of Surf City, North Carolina, Greg (Kathy) Ditch of Topeka, Kansas, Steven Sr. (Juanita) Ditch of Topeka, Kansas, Rocky (Tracy) Ditch of Topeka, Kansas, Scott (Sara) Ditch of Topeka, Kansas, Quintin (Sue) Ditch of Florida, sisters Cherisse Akiyama (Eugene) Relacion of Hawai‘i Kai, Lisa (Don) Ditch-Jenkins of Topeka, Kansas, Kim (Kevin) Hocking of Meriden, Kansas, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services to be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Visitation is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Cami will be remembered for her kindness, faith, and dedication to her family. Her grandchildren will never forget how gentle, sweet, and a proud grandmother she was who had a contagious laughter. She was a loving, caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will always be remembered and missed.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted with the family with arrangements.
