Rodney Baptiste
Rodney Baptiste passed away on Feb. 10, 2025, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born in Lihue on Aug. 28, 1955, he grew up in Kalaheo graduating from Kauai High in ’73. He would eventually move to Koloa to raise his family. Construction driver by trade, he was broadly known for his generous nature and willingness to help others.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Marian Baptiste, sister Darlene Ruiz and brother Anthony Baptiste.
He is survived by his wife JoRae Baptiste, children Rodney Kaulana (Bethany) Baptiste, Ian Baptiste, Krystina (Alex) Baptiste, Logan Baptiste, grandsons Canon Kupa’a, Cooper Kahawai and brother Ricky Baptiste.
Remembrance will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Koloa Union Church. Visitation starts at 9 a.m. with services at 10:30 a.m.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Ronald T. Valdez
Ronald T. Valdez, of Eleele, passed away on Feb. 21, 2025, at the age of 76. He was born on Dec. 9, 1948, in Lihue. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents Tranquilino and Felicidad Valdez, brother Charles Valdez and brother-in-law Eli Pablo.
He is survived by his wife Novena Valdez, son Ronson Valdez of Hanamaulu, stepson Ramah Wong of Kapaa, daughters Tisha (Mareques) Henderson of Florida, Dawn (Matt) Lopez of Kapaa, Chelsey Valdez of Eleele, brother Standford Valdez of Kalaheo, sisters Juliette (Julie) Valdez of Oahu, Erlinda (Dennis) Schleie of Las Vegas, Sylvia Pablo of Kaumakani, 15 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by service at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at the Kauai Veterans Cemetery on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Patricia Ann Hunter-Williams
Patricia Ann Hunter-Williams, of Anahola, passed away on Nov. 5, 2024, at the age of 67. She was born in Gardena, California, on March 26, 1957, and worked as a Language Arts teacher serving multiple Public Schools of Kauai.
She was preceded in passing by her parents William and Franque Hunter.
Patricia is survived by her husband Theodore “Teddy Boy” Williams Jr., children Tayton (Jackie) Williams of Anahola, Chantry (Kapena Cummings) Williams of Anahola, grandchildren Taelyn (Raiatea) Hale-Ajimine, Tayven “Kili” Williams, Taylee “Mehana” Williams, Ezra Cummings, Ezekiel Cummings and great-grandchild Tehya.
Services will be held at Anahola Village Park on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by services at 10:30 a.m.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Shannon Akiko Morishige
Shannon Akiko Morishige, of Kauai, passed away on Jan. 27, 2025, at home at the age of 49. She was born on Oct. 11, 1975, in Lihue, Kauai.
She was preceded in death by Bobby and Hatsue Tasaka and Edward and Dora Morishige.
She is survived by her parents Susan and Dwight Morishige, sister Kylie (Adam) Hussey, nephews Micah Hussey, Noah Hussey, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., followed by service at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and flowers be omitted.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Harley Morris
Harley Morris, of Kapaa, passed away on Feb. 26, 2025, at the age of 53. He was born in Lihue on Feb. 26, 1972.
He loved the ocean for its bounty produced from spearfishing and its beauty as he paddled his kayak upon her.
He was preceded in passing by his father Frederick “Larry” Morris and grandma Amelia Santella.
He is survived by his mother Mary Bryan, brother John (Jenna) Morris, sisters Naomi (Will Hunt) Bryan, Grace (Braxton) Crosby, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Puka’s Ministries at 12 noon.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Maria Udaundo Caoili
Maria Udaundo Caoili, of Lihue, passed away on March 9, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on Aug. 29, 1937, and was a housekeeper at Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, waitress at Hamura Saimin and seamstress.
She was preceded in death by her husband Eusebio Caoili, parents Calixto and Priscilla Udaundo, brother Esteban Udaundo and brother-in-law Lino Beñas.
She is survived by her son Alex (Connie) Caoili, daughter Emelda Dias, brothers Alejandro (Carmelita) Udaundo, Roberto (Lolita) Udaundo, sisters Cristina Beñas, Rosalina (Pablo Virgilio) Valdez, sister-in-law Florentina Udaundo, grandchildren Melinda (Chris) Ishida, Tara-Lynn (Brandon) Kaui-Egami, Keahi Dias, Mariah (Miles) Inada, Taira Caoili, great-grandchildren Kenji, Kanoa and Kiana Ishida, Tiare and Micah Kaui, Xaelyn and Adrian Remigio, Hayden and Mahina Inada, Lexie Caoili, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Michael and All Angels Church. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with services to follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Lihue Cemetery after services have been completed.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Brian Toshio Kohatsu
Brian Toshio Kohatsu, age 56, of Anahola, Kaua’i, passed away on Feb. 10, 2025. He was born on March 25, 1969, in Kailua, O’ahu. He was known for his spirit and selflessness.
He was preceded in death by Eldon and Gayle Kohatsu.
He is survived by siblings Eldon (Rolinda), Dean (Dayna), Mike (Lani) and U’ilani, children Brandi (Caitlin), Codi, Beau (Lanikai), Pa’ani and Shaniah, grandchildren JonJon, Jacia, Lily, Acestyn, Warren, Brixton and Brooklyn.
His Memorial Services will be held on both O’ahu and Kaua’i.
O’ahu service will be held at the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association on Thursday, March 27, at 9 a.m.
Kaua’i service will be held at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall on Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m.
Brian’s spirit will remain forever in our hearts.
Friends and family are invited to come together to celebrate Brian’s life and the joy he brought to all of us.
Frank ‘Francis’ Hiroshi Nakao
Frank “Francis” Hiroshi Nakao passed away on Jan. 15, 2025, at the age of 80. He was born in Honokaa on July 21, 1944. He worked for IBM Corporation, Union Oil Company, and Richfield Capital Corporation, and he was a mortgage consultant with Spectrum Mortgage prior to retiring.
Frank is pre-deceased by his mother Fumie Beppu, grandparents Shigezo and Tamayo Nakao and biological father Hisao Teraoka.
He is survived by his father Harry Beppu, sister Reni (Steven) Pereira, brothers John (Irene) Teraoka, Wesley (Della) Teraoka, Michael (Elaine) Teraoka, Wade (Susan Shiroma) Teraoka, sister JoAnn (Randy Yamamoto) Tanaka, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service was held at Oahu Mortuary on March 15, 2025.
Pernella Patricia Duarte Beardsley
Pernella Patricia Duarte Beardsley, formerly Soares, passed away on March 26, 2024, in Henderson, Nevada, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and dedication to her family.
She was born on May 20, 1961, on the island of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, to Ronald “Skippy” Duarte and Patricia “Patsy” Duarte.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Ryan and Darrick Duarte.
She is survived by her husband Sean Beardsley, four children Michelle Duarte, Ranelle (Francis) Kaawa, Jesse (Maile) Soares Jr., and Justin Soares, nine grandchildren Quiana Duarte, Chasen Alayvilla, Jazlyn Rivers, Darrick Willis, Keali‘imalu Kaawa, Shaylynn Soares, Isaiah Soares, Taimanu Soares-Chong, and Taimana Soares-Chong.
She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth (Jimmy) Duarte, brothers Ronald (Marleen) Duarte Jr. and Caesar (Vanessa) Duarte, and many loving nieces and nephews.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, Kaua‘i.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with Mass to follow.
