Michael Kiyoshi Iwai
Michael Kiyoshi Iwai passed away on Dec. 1, 2023, at his home in Wailua. He was 75 years old and a retired Kapa‘a Elementary School social worker.
Born in Waimea on Jan. 11, 1948, he spent his childhood in Koloa. His hobbies of fishing and bow hunting led him to many places including Alaska, Africa, and Australia. He was happy to have lived a full life and was especially thankful for his family and many friends who supported him as he bravely fought pancreatic cancer for 2 years. He is greatly missed and fondly remembered for his many talents which he shared with us.
He was preceded in death by parents Nikichi and Yoshie Iwai.
He is survived by his wife Judith, daughters Stephanie (Sean) Iwai McGuire, Stacy (Jonathan) Iwai Kim, stepdaughter Lisa Gordon, hanai daughter Rosalyn Guerrero, sister Colleen Iwai, brother Keith Iwai, seven grandchildren, two nephews, and one niece.
Private services were held in Koke‘e on Dec. 31, 2023.
Funeral arrangements were provided by Garden Island Mortuary.
Delfin Cabot Jr.
Delfin Cabot Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024, in Downey, California. He was born on Oct. 9, 1946, at Santa Maria, Iloco Sur, Philippines, to Delfin Cabot Sr. and Sabina Cabot. Delfin grew up in Puhi, Kaua‘i (old sugar camp). He loved playing the trumpet and was on the Kaua‘i High School Marching Band. He graduated class of 1964, leaving Kaua‘i to attend college in Los Angeles under a music scholarship.
Delfin is survived by his spouse Lourdes. Along with five boys, Tim (Tanya), Duane, Jeremy (Bianca), Greg (Joyce), Marvin (Lynnett). Siblings, Gilbert (Joni), Edwin (Alma), Elsie (James Walker, deceased).
Funeral service will be held on March 21, 2024, at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California. For additional information go to rosehills.com and search Delfin Cabot.
Delfin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Randy O’Connor
Randy O’Connor, 63, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Feb. 22, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. He was born on Feb. 12, 1961, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He worked in the hospitality industry.
He was preceded in death by mother Glenda Sue O’Connor.
He is survived by wife Mercy O’Connor, daughter Malia O’Connor, son Austin O’Connor and brother Bryan Henderson.
A celebration of life is Sunday, March 17, at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by service at 4 p.m. The family requests aloha attire.
Betty June Bell
Betty June Bell passed away on Feb. 18, 2024, in Lihu‘e at the age of 96. She was born on May 22, 1927, in Indiana. She was a licensed Pharmacist who graduated from Purdue University, a Hospital Administrator for Wilcox Hospital, a Real Estate Broker, and the owner of PSS Realty.
Betty was an example of love, kindness, and generosity for all who knew her. She was always a strong advocate for women, and prior to her death, she established the Betty Bell Kaua‘i Women’s Scholarship Fund through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
She was preceded in death by parents Herman and Hazel Bell.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Lihu‘e United Church in Lihu‘e. Services will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a social gathering at the Parish Hall at noon.
Betty requested that her friends make a donation to The Betty Bell Kaua‘i Woman’s Scholarship Fund, the Lihu‘e United Church, or Hospice in lieu of flowers.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Michael O’Reilly Rowan
Michael O’Reilly Rowan, aka “RowDog,” passed away at 67 on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Friday morning, Feb. 16, 2024. Michael was born in Long Beach, California and raised near the ocean, where he was an avid surfer, diver, fisherman, camper, and Lifeguard. Michael continued that connection with the sea when he moved to Kaua‘i in 1977. He met his then-wife, Karla Rowan while surfing at Makua (Tunnels), and they were married on that beach. They raised two sons in a Ching Young fishing cottage on the oceanfront near Hanalei Colony Resort. Mike made his living painting houses and doing home maintenance and construction. He also started one of the early smoothie trucks and sold fruits & vegetables grown by local farmers in Hanalei.
Michael’s loved ones will remember his best days when he was deep in the barrel at Makua, sharing aloha and good humor with all, being a loving father and for excellence in the work he set his hands to.
His two sons, Keoni and Makana of Wainiha, Kaua‘i, his mother, Betty, of Long Beach, father, Jack, of Huntington Beach, brother, Tim, of Humboldt County, sister, Rene, of Long Beach, survive him. Mike’s sister, Teri Scofield, predeceased him. He has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and two granddaughters, Skylar Jade Kemper and Bailey Rose Rowan.
Plans are being made for a summer gathering and paddle out. Mahalo to all who have reached out to console and offer help.
