Shizuko Shimabukuro
Shizuko Shimabukuro, of Eleele, passed away on March 10, 2025, at the age of 101. She was born in Lawai, Kauai, on Feb. 14, 1924, and was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Choji Shimabukuro, siblings Maruyo Maedo, Kenichi Ikehara and Kenneth Ikehara.
She is survived by her son George (Diane), daughters Charlotte (Walter) Yasumoto, Jo Ann Harada, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Takeko (Akira) Oyakawa.
Private services will be held. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts).
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Anastacio ‘Tony’ Gacutan Escalona
Anastacio ‘Tony’ Gacutan Escalona, 84, of Kapa’a, passed away on Oahu on March 13, 2025. He was born in Ilocos Sur, Philippines on Dec. 8, 1940, and retired as a butcher with Big Save Market in Kapa’a.
Preceded in death by his son Anthony Escalona, wife and mother of his children Virginia Escalona, siblings Theodorico, Carmen, Saturnina, Paulina, Venancia and Esperanza.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara (Roderick) Green and their children Andrea Green, Nialani Green, Austin Green, daughter-in-law Erma Escalona and her children Anthony Kalama Escalona, Ailana Sidney Escalona, wife Evangeline Escalona, brother Marcos Escalona, stepchildren Ruby Calapatia, Reinario (Frances) Calapatia and his children Kiani, Jayden, Keylan, great-grandchildren Xybren, Jaybri, Ryker, Mila, Reggie (Chanel) Calapatia and his children Trevor (Shaylyn), Katelin, Chanceson and his children Maia, Mace Calapatia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at St. Catherine Church with viewing from 9:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Steven Kalei Van Gieson
Steven Kalei Van Gieson passed away at home on March 15, 2025. He was born on Nov. 14, 1961, in Lihue, Hawaii, and was a retired Journeyman Electrician.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hoby Van Gieson and Judi Spencer, and grandparents Andres and Lei Polan and Hoby and Kumulani Van Gieson.
Kalei is survived by his children U‘ilani (Joshua) Yorkman, Tyson (Keala) Corr, Brandi (John) Knopski and Sheana (Shay) Alapai, grandchildren Waika Corr, Tevai and Kamaha‘o Yorkman, Jakob and Hema Naka‘ahiki Young, Shige and Yoshi Numazawa and Keiji Haloa Corr, Kyana Mata and Makua and Kahula‘ana Alapai, brothers Sol Van Gieson and Sam (Wendee) Van Gieson and sister Lani (Al) Aranio, step-father Fred (Nondice) Spencer, special friend Tiffanee Fujimoto and her daughter Lexi, as well as aunties, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends.
Please join his ‘Ohana for his Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Niumalu Canoe Hale at Kalapaki Beach at 12 noon. Lei are welcome; however, the family requests no flowers. In lieu of monetary gifts, please make a donation in Kalei’s memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii Kauai Branch or the American Heart Association.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted with his arrangements.
Philomena ‘Minnie/Rama’ Harding
Philomena “Minnie/Rama” Harding, of Columbia, South Carolina, wife of the late Robert D. “Bob” Harding, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the age of 88. Born May 5, 1936, in Waimea, Kaua’i. She graduated from Waimea High School in 1954 and from Kaua’i Technical School in 1956. She enlisted in the United States Army from 1956-1959 and was part of the Women’s Army Corp.
At the time of her passing, Philomena is survived by her daughters Terry Scaturro (Michael) and Wendy Harding Daughtry (Shawn), sons Roger (Amanda) and Dale (Susan), daughter-in-law Tina, numerous grandchildren, sister Bernadita Remata of Kaua’i, numerous nieces, nephews and her beloved dog “Minnie”.
Philomena was predeceased by her beloved son Michael, brothers Delphin and Paul Viquelia and sister Florencia Semana (Suelo).
Funeral services were held in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Robert ‘Bobby’ K. Ho‘opi‘i
Robert “Bobby” K. Ho‘opi‘i, of Waimea, passed away on Nov. 28, 2024, in Waimea at the age of 77. He was born on April 22, 1947, in Lihue.
He was preceded in death by parents Samuel Ho‘opi‘i and Ophelia McCullen, brothers Bruce Ho‘opi‘i and Sam Ho‘opi‘i.
He is survived by his sons Joe Nunes of Lihue, Charles (May) Hepa of Hanamaulu, daughters Shannon (JD) Racoma of Kona, Wailana (Dee) Dasalia-Duarte of Kapaa, Shanna (Vernoy) Damas of Kona, Keiko (Justin) Ho‘opi‘i of Puhi, Misty (Duke) Kaiwi of Oregon, Priscilla (Bubba) Hepa of Wailua, Mandy (Kapua) Hepa of Nevada, 37 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, brother William McCullen of New York, sisters Dolores (Jimmy) Manley of Utah, Nora Contrades of Anahola, Ophelia Kanoa of Wailuku, Angie Ho‘opi‘i of Anahola, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Lydgate Beach Park main pavilion with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and celebration of life from 11 a.m. Lunch to follow. The family requests aloha attire and flowers and leis are accepted.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Wilfred Norio Kimura
Wilfred Norio Kimura, 91, of Kapaa, passed away on Dec. 31, 2024. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 29, 1933. He served in the U.S. Army and later retired as a District Engineer with the State of Hawaii.
He was preceded in death by his parents Tokuhei and Yoshino Kimura, brothers Tom Kimura, Robert Kimura, Earl Kimura and sister Gladys Kimura.
Wilfred is survived by his loving wife Janet Aiko Kimura, sons Kenneth (Lisa) Kimura of Wailua, Kit (Yukiko) Kimura of Wailua, daughters Terilyn (Wayne) Rider of Las Vegas, Diane (Darrell) Snyder of Honolulu, brother Glenn (Cynthia) Kimura of Honolulu, grandchildren Jamie and Ian Kimura, William Kimura, Coe, Ben and Max Snyder and great-grandchild Lyla Mauro.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at All Saints Church, Kapaa. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with Mass to follow at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and no Koden or flowers.
Kauai Memorial Gardens assisted the family with arrangements.
Chelsey K. Anguay
Chelsey K. Anguay, of Kekaha, passed away on March 9, 2025, at home at the age of 40. She was born on Jan. 7, 1985, in Waimea, Kauai.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Richard and Cathlene Broyles and maternal grandparents Dennis and Eden Simao.
She is survived by her husband Conrad Anguay Jr. of Kekaha, daughter Honesty K. Anguay of Kekaha, parents Dorothy and Charles Kaliloa of Kekaha, Richard Broyles Jr. of Illinois, brothers Benson Broyles of Kekaha, Brandon Broyles of Hanapepe, sisters Ashley Kaneapua of Lawai, Malia (Keith) Bornitz of Idaho, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation and celebration of life from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The family requests aloha attire and welcomes flowers and leis.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
