Obituaries for Friday, September 10, 2021
Norman Hunter Lewis
Norman Hunter Lewis
Norman Hunter Lewis was born on Nov. 10, 1934, at French Hospital in Los Angeles. He was the first child of Richmond and Blanche Lewis. He grew up in Los Angeles, Norwalk and Alhambra California with his 4 loving younger sisters – Ellie, Jenni, Carol and Kris.
He entered the University of Southern California on an NROTC scholarship and studied Industrial Engineering. To help make ends meet, he worked as a dishwasher at a sorority. After graduating in 1956, he was commissioned as a USC Navy Ensign.
It was at USC that he met the raven-haired beauty that became his wife, Nanci Jeanne Getschine, when they both worked at the student bookstore. They dated long-distance when Norm attended Flight Training in Pensacola and then married on Nov. 30, 1957, in Pasadena, while Norm was on a brief leave from Advanced Flight Training in Kansas.
Norm and Nanci raised 4 children – Janis, Kay, Jon and Joy – while moving around during Norm’s tours of duty with the Navy. Duty stations included Whidbey Island, Washington; Norfolk, Virginia; Newfoundland, Canada and Iceland; Jacksonville, Florida where he was a Hurricane Hunter. He also deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam out of Atsugi, Japan, served 2 tours at Barking Sands, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i; and was the Navy Representative to the FAA, Pacific Region based in Honolulu.
During his 25 years of service, Norm was awarded 8 Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal.
Norm retired from the Navy in 1981 in Waimea, Kaua‘i in a cozy condo on the beach where he served as Manager of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce and opened his own small business advisory office. After relocating to San Diego, he worked 12 years for San Diego County.
His favorite things to do were to travel with Nanci, volunteer with the La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s missions and Stevens Ministry, play tennis, attend USC Football and Padre baseball games, but mostly he loved to spend time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and more recently, 4 great-grandchildren!
A Celebration of Norm’s Life will be held in the Chapel at La Jolla Presbyterian Church on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at 1 p.m.
Donations in lieu of flowers to LJPC Missions or White Sands of La Jolla/Benevolence Fund.
Violet K. Kahokuloa
Violet K. Kahokuloa passed away on Aug. 25, 2021, at the age of 71, in Lihu‘e. She was born on Oct. 27, 1949, in Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau. She was a Ni‘ihau Shell lei maker.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kuuopuulani Kahokuloa, father Kuramatsu Shintani, Sr., mother Kanohoana Kanahele, brothers Suma Shintani, Kau‘i Shintani and Keali‘i Shintani and nephew Li‘i Boy Shintani.
She is survived by her sons Pulani Kahokuloa, John Kahokuloa, Makaio Kahokuloa, Wailani Kahokuloa, Kealoha Kahokuloa, daughters Pupu Masuda, Haunani Pascua, La‘i Kahokuloa, Momi Shintani, 39 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, brother Kalei Shintani, Sr. of Kekaha, sister Kahiko Shintani of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Kealia Post Office property at 5 p.m. Services will be to shared music and memories followed by a Hawaiian style potluck paina. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face masks are required.
Atua Ohana and Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Vincent James ‘Jim’ DeCosta
Vincent James “Jim” DeCosta passed away on Aug. 14, 2021, at the age of 64, in Lihu’e. He was born on March 8, 1957, in Waimea. He was a veteran and a security guard at National Tropical Botanical Gardens.
Vincent was preceded in death by his father Vincent DeCosta, mother Bertha Jean DeCosta and brother Michael Alan DeCosta.
Vincent is survived by his wife Gerlinda M. DeCosta, sons Keola James (Courtney Brown) DeCosta, Vincent Kapono (Kathlen Lee) DeCosta, daughter Alanna (Neila Tuakoi) DeCosta, grandchildren Faith L. DeCosta-Tuakoi, Harmony H. DeCosta-Tuakoi, Havea Tuakoi, Hausia Tuakoi, brothers Damien M. DeCosta, Sr., Craig (Shauna Lee Cahill) DeCosta, sister Theresa C. DeCosta Koki all of Kaua’i, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Service will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Koloa on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. to 10, followed by mass.
Casual attire & flowers omitted. Due to COVID-19 social distancing and a face mask is required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert Noboru Fujii
Robert Noboru Fujii born May 4, 1942, in Lihu’e, passed away on Aug. 12, 2021, at the age of 79, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. He was an Army Veteran and retired Mason.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Haruki and Masao Fujii.
Robert is survived by his son Eric N. Fujii of Honolulu, his daughters Jerrelyn U. Mahiai of Honolulu, Jessica K.M. (Kevin) Carvalho of Lawai, grandchildren Tyler K. M. Carvalho, Taylor K. Carvalho, Tyra Lyn Carvalho, sisters Ellen (Robert – Deceased) Sugita of Wailua, Elinor (Willy – Deceased) Yasui of Honolulu, Elsie (James) Shimabuku of Honolulu, Susan (Duain) Hill of Honolulu, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A walk thru visitation will be held at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Flordelina ‘Deling’ ‘Mama D’ Detoning Agustin
Flordelina “Deling” “Mama D” Detoning Agustin, 72, of Puhi, passed away at Straub Clinic and Hospital on Sept. 2, 2021. She was born in Maayon, Capriz, Philippines on Aug. 15, 1949, and was retired owner of Agustin Care Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paustino Agustin, parents Lodgario and Maria Detoning and brother Rodrigo Detoning.
She is survived by her son, Tim (Britnai Sanysidro) Agustin, daughter Darlene (Tunu) Afele, 12 grandchildren Tiara (Brendan) Rose, Kekoa Agustin, Tianne (Dominick) Abalos, Tialei Agustin, Tia Agustin, Kaikoa Agustin, Ka’inoa Sanysidro-Agustin, Bristen Nagao, Ashlei (Kyle Nuivo) Nagao, Joshua Nagao, Blayze Afele, Rayne Afele, 4 great-grandchildren Kala’i Abalos, Aurora Rose, Orion Rose, Emi Nagao, sister Florentina Dolfo, numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Aloha Church with viewing from 8:30 a.m. and services beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua’i Memorial Gardens. Due to Covid-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dr. Michael R. Furgeson
Micheal Ray Furgeson passed away at the age of 72, on Aug. 30, 2021, at his home in Kilauea. He was born Nov. 17, 1948, to Ray and Colleen Furgeson in Los Angeles, California.
He was raised in Southern California and upon graduating from USC School of Dentistry in 1978, relocated to his beautiful Kaua‘i and he never left. He opened dental practices in Kilauea and Lihu‘e and when he wasn’t there, you could find him scoping out the surf.
“The Doc” was an avid surfer, windsurfer, fisherman and cook. He was an adoring father and grandfather and we will forever miss him.
He is survived by his loving soulmate, Inga, of Kilauea. Children – Rachel, Ogden, Utah, Jared (Kelly), Smithfield, Utah, Suzie (Paul), Princeville, Shey (Imi), Kilauea.
He was “Grandpa” to 13 grandchildren, William, Julia, Michael, Austin, Ke’ala’ua, Hokupa’a, Manaleo, La’akea, Kaydence, KJ, Kylee, Ka’ikena, and Ileana Ida and is survived by sisters, Lynn of Middleton, Idaho, Pamela of West Haven, Utah and Ginger of Farmington, Utah and brothers Kelly of Marshall Islands and Lew of Chandler, Arizona.
Celebration of Life will be held at Kalihiwai Beach at later date.
Valerie Ann Barretto-Oshita
Valerie Ann Barretto-Oshita of Kapa‘a, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2021, at the age of 70. She was born on July 3, 1951, in Lihu‘e.
She was preceded in death by her parents Gilbert F. and Dorothy I. Barretto.
She is survived by her husband Marvin G. Oshita, son Wendell Packard (Laverne) of Kapa‘a, Kalani Barretto (Lauren) of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Mele, Kamaile, Kalehua, and Kali, brothers Gilbert F. Barretto Jr. (Lisa) of Wailua , Glenn M. Barretto (Linda) of Waipio Gentry, Waipahu, Patrick N. Barretto (Jennifer) of Kapa‘a, Brian S. Barretto (Shari) of Kapa‘a, sisters Joyce B. Hernandez (Rick) of Waipio Gentry, Waipahu, Debbie M. Barretto of Hanalei, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Celebration of Life for Valerie, previously scheduled Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at St. Catherine’s Church has been postponed due to Covid-19 and will be announced at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Imelda Riopta
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Imelda Riopta, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched.
On Sept. 3, 2021, she left us while sleeping peacefully at Maui Memorial Hospital. She was 56 years young, born on Oct. 12, 1964, in Bacarra Philippines.
Imelda was preceded in death by her father Romualdo Balisacan and sister Nora Valera.
Imelda is survived by her mom Melchora Balisacan of Lihu‘e, son Ricky Riopta (Sabrina) of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughter Raquel Riopta of Maui, 3 grandchildren, Gavin, Calib, and Leila, sister Irene Jardin (Richard) of Tennessee, brother Roland Balisacan (Cherie) of ‘Ele‘ele, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A walk-thru visitation is at Garden Island Mortuary on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
