• Willie M. Rapozo • James Mitchell “Pops” Ayau • Bruno Ramos Sr. • Masayo Kokame Willie M. Rapozo Willie M. Rapozo of Kapa‘a died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on March 25, 2004, at the age of 90. Born in
• Willie M. Rapozo
• James Mitchell “Pops” Ayau
• Bruno Ramos Sr.
• Masayo Kokame
Willie M. Rapozo
Willie M. Rapozo of Kapa‘a died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on March 25, 2004, at the age of 90.
Born in Kealia on Oct. 8, 1913, he was with the Kaua‘i Fire Department for 27 years, retiring in 1976 as captain at the Kapa‘a fire station. During his service he was part of a search-and-rescue team whose members rescued many people, including actor Frank Sinatra. Rapozo was known for his daring rescues and tenacious diving.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Clara Rapozo, and four children: Kathleen (the late John) Barretto of Kaua‘i; Linda (Bill) Pacheco of Oregon; Richard (Evelyn) Rapozo of California; and Laure (Richard) Thacker of Georgia. He is preceded in death by daughter Veronica Rapozo. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Daniel Barretto, Brandon and Michele Pacheco, Joshua Rapozo and Ashley Thacker.
Funeral services are Saturday, April 3, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a, with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m., followed by an eulogy from 9:45 to 10 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., followed by burial at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kealia.
Arrangements are being handled by Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
James Mitchell “Pops” Ayau
James Mitchell “Pops” Ayau, formerly of ‘Aiea, O‘ahu and Waimea, Kaua‘i, died March 11, 2004 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. He was 77.
A retired foreman for Hawaiian Reinforcing Steel Company, he was born Oct. 21, 1926. An avid golfer, he was a member of clubs at the Kunia and Moanalua golf courses.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred Chaves Ayau; sons Earl (Trudi) Kilar of Seattle, Wash. and Glenn (Pua) Ayau of Waimea; daughters Joann Kilar (Michael Shimono) of Mililani, O‘ahu; Barbara Jean Ayau-Aguiar and Renee Ayau-Tyler of Kalaheo; and M. Jamie Ayau of Wahiawa, O‘ahu. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren; Aunty Annie Ayau of St. Louis Heights, O‘ahu; sisters Viola and Hazeline Wilson of Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 2, at Waimea Foreign Church at 10 a.m.
Friends may call 1-808-265-5924, or 332-5146, for more information.
Bruno Ramos Sr.
Bruno Ramos Sr.. of ‘Ele‘ele, died at Queens’ Medical Center on Mar. 26, 2004 at the age of 82.
Born in Luzong, Manabo, Philippines on Nov. 16, 1922, he was a truck driver with Olokele Sugar Company.
He is survived by his wife, Bella Ramos; six sons, Guardine (Lina) Bruno Ramos of Philippines, Edwin “Shapa” (Patricia) Ramos of Lihu‘e, Howard “Polo” (Darlene) Ramos of Lihu‘e; Bruno Ramos, Jr. of Aiea, O‘ahu, Mando (Krystie) Ramos of Kaumakani and Steven Ramos of ‘Ele‘ele; daughter, Belinda (Jesus) Tacata of Hanapepe; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister of the Philippines; and numerous cousins.
Friends may visit with the family at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Eleele Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Mass at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Hanapepe Public Cemetery. Casual attire suggested.
Arrangements are being handled by Williams Mortuary & Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Masayo Kokame
Masayo “Norma” Kokame of Kapa‘a, formerly of Hanapepe, Kauai, died at home on Mar. 30, 2004 at the age of 87.
Born in Wahiawa, Kaua‘i on Feb. 3, 1917, she was a retired Post Mistress at the Hanapepe Post Office.
Preceded in death by husband, Robert Kokame, she is survived by Wesley (Theresa) Kokame and Carolyn (Richard) Matsuda; brother Seiji “Paul” Kimata of Honolulu; two sisters: Mitsuko Leach of Honolulu and Sadako “Agnes” Murayama of Honolulu; brother-in-law Giichi Fujimoto of Kapaan; four sisters-in-law: Kozue Kimata of ‘Ele‘ele; Josephine Kimata of Honolulu; Takako Kokame of Honolulu; Michio (Shoju) Akutagawa of Japan; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ. Casual attire is suggested and flowers omitted. Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
