Sakae Takenaka
“Joy is not in things, it is in us.” — Senior Quote 1965
Sakae Takenaka of Kilauea, Hawaii, born on July 3, 1947, was sent to his eternal home on Feb. 10, 2025. Sakae was preceded in death by his parents Sueo and Kimiko Takenaka and his wife Judy Hansen Takenaka (1947-2020). His daughter and granddaughter were at his side as he drew his final breath and passed away peacefully at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue, Hawaii.
Sakae is survived by his two children and three grandchildren. He also leaves behind siblings who have established their lives and families in and outside the state of Hawaii.
The Takenaka family of Hanalei, Hawaii, were hard-working taro patch farmers. Sakae graduated from Kapaa High School, remained a Kauai resident, and met his wife Judy Jennifer Hansen from Portland, Oregon, at a luau while she was on vacation. The two were married in Hanalei and their family relocated to Kilauea in 1974.
Sakae enjoyed fishing and bowling. He was skilled with his hands and spent countless hours making and mending fishing nets with precision and perfection. Before Hurricane Iwa, his home was adorned with the many bowling trophies he had won over the years. Sakae was both guarded and outgoing, frightfully serious and a big joker, strict and gentle. He is known for doing life his way and did so until his final day.
A private prayer and eternal life sendoff was held by family and friends gathered around Sakae at the close of his life. Both Mr. & Mrs. Sakae and Judy Takenaka will be laid to rest together at Kauai Memorial Gardens’ Kiku Columbarium’s North Wall – J46 in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.
The family has been blessed to receive a continuous flow of visitors, sharing memories and respectful condolences at the house in Kilauea. Well-wishes may be sent to the Takenaka Family at P.O. Box 7, Kilauea, HI 96754.
Benjamin Alayvilla
Benjamin Alayvilla passed away on Jan. 25, 2025, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 88. He was born on May 3, 1936, in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He retired from the County of Kauai, Kapaa Beautification Division as a Water Truck Operator.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rufino and Juliana Alayvilla, in-laws Jacinto and Antolina Dela Cruz, brothers Orencio, Ray, Angel, and Wayne Alayvilla.
Benjamin is survived by his wife of 60 years Norma Alayvilla of Hanamaulu, daughters Helene (Brian) Yamamotoya of Lihue, Allison (Paul) Matter of Portland, Oregon, son Ryan (Samantha) Alayvilla of Hanamaulu, grandchildren Kristyn and Kaeley Yamamotoya, Jonathan, Makana, Rylli, and Marcus Matter, Brooklyne and Kawehi Alayvilla, Zach (Erin) Tubbs, Kennedy (Ty) Lane, Kalani Alayvilla, great-grandchildren Olivia and Evelyn Tubbs, siblings Teresita (Revelino Sr.) Tacsiat, Remy (Edward) Chinen, Domi (Carol) Alayvilla, Lolita (Russell Sr.) Fernandes, Priscilla (Michael) Kano, Nancy (Joe) Fontanilla, David Alayvilla, Josie (Serafin Jr.) Galvez, Wilfred Alayvilla, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church in Kapaia. Public Viewing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Mass at 10 a.m. and burial to follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Special thanks to the staffs at Garden Isle Healthcare and Rehab Center, Wilcox Hospital’s Emergency Room and ICU, Borthwick Kauai Mortuary and Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
David Isidro Remata Sr.
David Isidro Remata Sr., of Makaweli, passed away on Jan. 1, 2025, at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 96. He was born on May 15, 1928, in Pakala. He was retired and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents Crisanto and Vicenta Remata, brothers Edward Remata, Alfredo Remata, sisters Florence Remata and Vivian Nonaka.
He is survived by his wife Mercedes Remata, sons David (Kathy) Remata Jr. of Mililani, Charles (Pua) Remata of Kekaha, William Remata of Makaweli, daughters Bella Dennis (Jeff Kiaaina) of Hanapepe, Phyllis (Garth) Glazier of Ewa Beach, Davidina (Garrick) Nagao of Honolulu, Cheryl Remata (Chansen Tachibana) of Makaweli, grandchildren Courtney (Michael) Schwab, Jean-Paul (Ayaka) Dennis, Desiree Malama (Dan) Kittredge, Wayne (Holly) Remata Medeiros, Darice Kato, Arlisse (Matthew) Fitzgerald, Dalton Remata, Taryn (John) Brown, Tisha Remata (Justine Malabe), Tylan Remata, Tyran Remata (Jocelynn Pablo), Kylah Nagao, Karah Nagao, Chayce Remata, Blayze Remata, Chayde Remata, Blayde Remata, great-grandchildren Hannah Dennis, Maximus Dennis, Ava Dennis, Lukas Dennis, Geon Kittredge, Reese Kittredge, Anais Kittredge, Jaxx Medeiros, Gabriel Medeiros, Kateira Rivad, Kiana Kato-Rotolo, Isabella Fitzgerald, Matty Fitzgerald, Ezra Brown, Ezekiel Brown, Qhaysen Malabe, Qhaiyah Malabe, Taelynn Remata, Taevanna Remata, brothers Richard Remata of Kekaha, Stanley (Norma) Remata of Pearl City, Wilfred Remata of Los Angeles, California, Lawrence Remata of Simi Valley, California, Patrick Remata of Los Angeles, California, sisters Mildred Olores of Kekaha and Elizabeth Aquino of Lihue.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m., with the eulogy at 10 a.m. and a prayer to follow. The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jaime Keoki Mikiala Malama
Jaime Keoki Mikiala Malama, 58, of Kekaha, passed away on Jan. 15, 2025, in Kekaha. He was born on Sept. 22, 1966, in Waimea. He was an electrician.
He was preceded in death by father Patrick T. Malama.
He is survived by Alisa Malama, son Nakoa (Kai-Lee) Malama, daughters Brandee (Sheldon) Soto, Byrlynn (Shane) Malama, grandchildren Camron Soto, Michael Soto, Kainalu Cabral, Kamaehu Cabral, Kaliko Kenney, mother Pinky Malama, brother Patrick “Kanani” Malama of Waimea, sisters Roberta “Pua” (Chucky) Remata of Kekaha, Raenette (Alton) Lopez of Kekaha, Jackie (Preston) Lee of Kekaha, Lolly (Mel) Malama of Kekaha, Desiree (Daniel) Kittredge of Waimea, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Kekaha Neighborhood Center. Visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by service from 1 to 2 p.m.
Robert Setsusho Tamura
Robert Setsusho Tamura, of Lihue, passed away on Feb. 4, 2025, at the age of 93. He was born on Feb. 23, 1931, in Lihue, Kauai.
He was preceded in death by his wife Florence Tamura, parents Naoichi and Ito Tamura, siblings Ichiko (Tom) Marugame, Toshie Tamura, Teruyoshi (Masako) Tamura, Harumi (Amy) Tamura, Ethel (Masaru) Sunada, Shizuko Tamura, Kazue (Satoru) Muranaka and brother-in-law Susumi Daida.
He is survived by his son Gordon (Lisa) Tamura of Lihue, daughters Tammy Tamura of Lihue, Corliss (Robin) Shimabukuro of Lihue, grandchildren Kaylee (Trevor) Tamura, Macy Tamura, Kalia (Christopher) Shimabukuro, sister Natsuko Daida of Lihue, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Lihue Christian Church. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life beginning at 11 a.m. Urn burial will be at the Kauai Veterans Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests casual attire and kindly omits flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Miles Martinez
Miles Martinez, of Kilauea, passed away on Feb. 23, 2025, at the age of 69. He was born on May 11, 1955, in Honolulu. He was retired and self-employed.
He was preceded in passing by his daughter Jacklyn Martinez, brother Michael Martinez, and parents Moses Cruz and Dorothy Martinez.
He is survived by son Joseph (Joe) Martinez, sisters Faith Nakazawa of Kilauea and Regina Hoverson of California, four granddaughters Kiana Kawaihalau Ledward, Selah and Shaezlyn Taeza, and Ella Martinez, one great-granddaughter Kaili Reign, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Also a very special thank you to a wonderful friend who helped him and was there for him for advice, guidance, assistant help, support, care, and love. Terri Yadao was his HMSA Nurse, coordinator, nurse and dear friend. And also to Tom Strom who was also his HMSA coordinator, nurse and dear friend. And to Dr. Jon Allen and nurse Joann at North Shore Medical Center in Kilauea. Dr. Jay Murphy and staff at Wilcox Medical Center. Last but not least a special thanks to Karen, Rob, Tony, Ricky, Tommy, Ann, Pat, Joel, Mike O., Kevin, and all of Miles special friends too many to mention, for all their help, advice, friendship, and love.
Services will be held at Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2025, and burial to follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens. The family requests casual attire.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home with arrangements.
Janet M Reis
Janet Marie Reis peacefully left this world on the morning of Jan. 31, 2025, to join her husband Adam Reis in Heaven. “Aunty Janet”, as she was affectionately known to most of the people on the Westside of Kauai, was born on Christmas Day, 1932 in Mana, Kauai, to Frank and Ricarda Martin.
Aunty Janet grew up in the Old Mana Camp, attending the Mana School, later after the family moved to Kekaha, she attended Kekaha School and graduated from Waimea High School. She married her sweetheart, Adam Reis and was a homemaker until Adam’s passing. She worked for a number of years as a cook at the Waimea Big Save Snack Bar.
Aunty Janet was active at St. Theresa’s Church, singing in the church choir for many years. She was also very active at the Waimea Senior Center, where she enjoyed the company of her many life long friends. She also enjoyed the many Senior Center activities like sewing, playing ukulele, singing and helping with the craft fairs.
Aunty Janet’s home was the location of many family gatherings. She enjoyed having all the family together at her house like Thanksgivings, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and birthday parties. She enjoyed having family over to watch University of Hawaii sports, she was a die hard Volleyball, Football, Softball and Baseball fan.
Aunty Janet was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Ricarda Martin, her sweetheart and husband Adam Reis, brothers John Martin, Lawrence Martin, Manuel Martin, sisters-in-law Bella Martin and Catherine Martin.
She is survived by sister-in-law Shirley Martin of Honolulu, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews and her dog Cody.
The family wishes to thank Kauai Hospice and its staff, Christy Castillo of the Department of Elderly Affairs, Kauai Home Care, Kokua Healthcare, Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home and especially her caregivers Leslie and Rodney Martin.
Per Aunty Janet’s wishes, she will be quietly interned with her husband Adam at a later date.
