Marilyn Mele Cole Mohler
March 3, 1953 — May 8, 2025
Marilyn Mele Cole Mohler, affectionately known as Aunty Marilyn, 72, of Kapa‘a, Hawai‘i, finished her earthly race on May 8, 2025. She began her life’s journey on March 3, 1953, on the island of O‘ahu.
Marilyn’s life was, indeed, a marathon filled with several climbing hills mixed with many flat straight-a-ways. Her most challenging hills came early in her life and, at the age of 12, her life dramatically and eternally changed. She met her Savior and Lord. Marilyn felt accepted and gained renewed hope that she meant something to someone and that her life was worth living. She desired her own family to serve and love so she asked God for a Christian husband and children.
From then on, Marilyn dreamed of having a family of her own—to serve, to love, and to nurture. She asked God for a Christian husband and children, and He answered her prayers beyond her imagination. She is survived by her beloved husband, Mark, and their three sons and their families:
• Tom and his wife Christy, and their daughters, Megan and Lauren
• Jacob and his wife Katie, and their children, Emma and Ian
• Michael and his wife Kim, and their sons, Markus and Thomas
She found great joy in each of her family members, loved them dearly, and could not have been prouder of them.
When her boys were growing up, the Mohler house was always filled with guests. Aunty Marilyn was known for her hospitality—regularly welcoming friends, neighbors, and teachers into her home and preparing many wonderful meals. She had a gift for making people feel at ease, seen, and cared for. Aunty Marilyn was someone who welcomed others warmly and gave freely of her time and resources. She knew deeply the love, forgiveness, and grace of God, and she lived her life as an extension of that love—generous, open-hearted, and steadfast.
Once her sons were grown, Marilyn began working at Kapa‘a School, where she worked with children with life experiences similar to her own. Her goal was simple but profound, she wanted to make sure every child she worked with felt seen, supported, and full of hope.
Aunty Marilyn founded Hui O Na Makua Hookahi O Kaua’i, a non-profit for Kauai’s single-parent families, to provide financial support and emotional care tailored to each family in very personal ways. The Hui, to Aunty Marilyn, was a natural extension of the ways she cared for her own family; all of which flowed from her love for God and deep gratitude to Him for blessing her with the loving family she had long ago prayed for.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Severo Cole and David Cole. She is survived by many siblings and extended family members, all of whom she loved dearly and who loved her just as deeply.
If you wish to honor Aunty Marilyn’s life, please consider making a donation to the Hawai’i Food Bank Kaua‘i Branch in Puhi. She would be so pleased to know that others were being cared for in her memory.
A memorial service for family and friends is scheduled for the late afternoon of June 20. Details will be shared via Facebook. A private graveside service for close relatives will be held that morning.
Ernesto Cobre Saking
Ernesto Cobre Saking passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at his residence at the age of 73. He was born on March 15, 1952, in the Philippines. He worked at the McDonald’s restaurant in Lihue.
He was preceded in death by parents Molato and Dumanay (Cobre) Saking and brother-in-law Osmenio Reyes.
He is survived by wife Elsie Saking, son Joey (Olive Almazan) Saking, daughters Lea (Glenn) Campos, Ada (Jacob) Faustino, Dayana (Jerry) Onogen, Eshil (Jacel) Pena, grandchildren Jayden Faustino, Asia Campos, Kianne Onogen, Daphne Onongen, Jayda Faustino, Javan Saking, Dion Onongen, Jodien Faustino, Jechrel Saking, brothers Eliseo ( Martina ) Saking, Tito (Francing) Saking, Lucas (Noemi) Saking, sister Ancheta Reyes, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Lihue. Visitation is from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by service at 4 p.m. The family requests aloha attire.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Darren T. Sanekane
Darren T. Sanekane passed away at his home on March 29, 2025, at the age of 63. He was born on Feb. 11, 1962, on Kauai. He was a mechanic/service writer at PS&D Tires.
He was preceded in death by father Takeru Sanekane and brother Ron Sanekane.
He is survived by wife Lori Souza-Sanekane of Kalaheo, stepsons Albert Kuriki of Kalaheo, Bryan (Keala) Kuriki of Kalaheo, mother Hanayu Maki Sanekane of Lawai, sisters Verna (Michael) Shoffstall of Kalaheo, Nan Sanekane of Lawai, nieces Nicole (Jayso) Punzalan, Rebekah Shoffstall, Danielle Shoffstall, Emily Shoffstall, nephews John Shoffstall, Caleb Shoffstall, Joshua Shoffstall, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Eleele Baptist Church. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., followed by Mass. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Beatrice Joan Bonilla
Beatrice Joan Bonilla, of Omao, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born on May 31, 1931, in Kekaha.
She was preceded in death by husband Frank Bonilla, parents Gabril and Gloria (Soto) Ruiz, brothers Gabriel Ruiz Jr., Daniel L. Ruiz, and Michael Ruiz.
She is survived by sons Jim (Loretta) Bonilla of Caldwell, Idaho, Ricky Bonilla of Miami, Florida, Ken Bonilla of Lihue, Norman Bonilla of Eleele, daughters Dina Bonilla of Lawai, Penny (Steve) Lopez of Redwood City, California, grandchildren Kimo Bonilla, Brendy (Tim) Bonilla-Schuler, Paul (Katie) Lopez, Zachary Bonilla, great-grandchildren Phillp Bonilla, Haleigna Schuler, Luke Lopez, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be at a later date.
The family suggests casual attire, and flowers and leis are welcome.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Laurinda Leiaulani ‘Gma Lei’ Werner Cano
Laurinda Leiaulani “Gma Lei” Werner Cano, passed away at KVMH on April 11, 2025. She was born on June 15, 1943, in Nanakuli, Oahu. She was a retired custodian at Waimea Canyon School.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Palani Cano Jr., parents Mary Mahuka-Werner and Edward Brown, grandson Dwayne Rita, siblings Calvin “Nunu” Werner, Ewalani Combs, James Kimo Werner and Barney Boy Werner.
Gma Lei is survived by her six children Francine “Mz Fran” Oligo, Frank “Bully” (Judy) Cano, Franchot “Hawaiian” (Pamai) Cano, Francisco “Mauna” (Pomai) Cano, Francella “Napua” (Lloyd) Rita, Francford Kinonui “Bradda” (Jamie) Cano, 14 grandchildren Kaliko (Jessa) Oligo, Noelani (Riley) Refamonte, Thomas (Kayla) Clementino, Jade Cano, Savannah Cano, Amanda Rita, Bradley (Brennan) Cano, Samuel (Bri) Cano, Quinlan Cano, Xavier Cano, Saige Cano, Kinohi Cano, Keahi Cano, seven great-grandchildren Hunter Furtado-Oligo, StarrLee Furtado-Oligo, Kaleah Oligo, Hadley Oligo, Evelyn Clementino, Rio Keao Cano, Kaius Kaimana Cano, siblings Leonae Keala Rodrigues, Charles Papoko Mahuka and John Mahuka.
Beloved close family friends Grace, Kathy, Beverly, Kristen and her son Keewe, the Laulea Hawai`i Pidgin Local Hui of Witnesses fo Jehovah. Mahalo for all your support.
Memorial service will be on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 8833 Kaumualii Hwy, Kekaha HI 96752. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with service to follow from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Aloha attire is suggested. Flowers omitted.
The entire Cano ohana would like to give a special thanks to KVMH, the nursing staff, home care workers, Kauai Care Center and close special friends for all their dedication and support during this journey with Gma Lei. A huge mahalo to Bruce at Garden Island Mortuary for helping the Cano ohana during this time.
Setsuo Ushio
Setsuo Ushio, of Lihue, passed away on his 91st birthday on April 29, 2025. He was born in Pahoa, Hawaii, on April 29, 1934. He retired as a school administrator from the Hawaii Department of Education and was an Army veteran discharged at the rank of Captain.
He was preceded in passing by his parents Hikoichi and Yoshiko Ushio, sisters Kay Yamamoto and Chiyoko Kami, and brother Masahiko Ushio.
Setsuo is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Edith Ushio, daughter Shelly (William Lew Tan) Ushio of Los Angeles, son Elton (Dawn) Ushio of Lihue, grandchildren Meredith and Douglas Lew Tan, Gavin, Keegan, and Evan Ushio, and siblings Yoshiichi Ushio and Kikuko Sato.
Private services will be held by the immediate family. The family requests no koden or flowers. Donations may be made in his name to Lihue Hongwanji Mission or Wilcox Medical Center.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Michael Edward Carr
Michael Edward Carr, 77, linguist, and longtime resident of Kapaa, Hawaii, passed away at his residence on May 26, 2025, of natural causes.
Born in Palo Alto, California, to Dr. Edward and Ruth Carr, Michael grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, graduating from Shawnee Mission West High School. Michael completed his undergraduate work at The University of Colorado and The University of Kansas.
Michael married the love of his life, Terry Reardon, in 1972 after meeting on a blind date, and thereafter the two never spent a single day apart. Michael served in the Peace Corps after university and eventually earned a Ph. D. in Oriental Studies in 1979 from the University of Arizona.
He served faithfully on the faculty in the Center for Language Studies at Otaru University of Commerce, Hokkaido, Japan for 20 years. There, he and Terry fell deeper in love with Japan and its people, language and culture. Fluent in Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian, Michael published extensively on Chinese and Japanese linguistics and lexicography during his career and well after his retirement in 1997. His crowning achievement was the publication of the New Japanese-English Character Dictionary in 1990.
Michael spent his retirement in Kauai as a freelance translator and generously volunteered his expertise to Wikipedia, writing hundreds of scholarly articles in linguistics and other related fields. He was also an active board member with the Julian Jaynes Society. Thoughtful and generous, Michael (usually wearing one of his trademark yellow T-shirts) enjoyed time with friends in Kauai and family members visiting from the mainland. He loved the outdoors, whether working in his garden, biking, or kayaking.
Michael is survived by his devoted wife Terry, his elder sister Mindy Reeves of Fresno, his niece Rebecca (reeves) Pope of Clovis, California, and his nephew Scott Reeves of Sacramento.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
