Aurelio ‘Al’ Ramelb
Aurelio “Al” Ramelb, 79, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Aug. 30, 2021. He was born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on Nov. 12, 1941, and was a finance clerk staff sergeant in the U.S. Army who retired from the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and was an avid golfer.
He was preceded in death by parents Rosendo Fernandez and Isabella Madrid Ramelb, and brother Federico Ramelb.
He is survived by son Joshua (Sylvia) Jones of Las Vegas, brother Patricio (Dorrine) Ramelb, sisters Felicidad (Anthony, deceased) Divina and Angelita (Irvin) Green, and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.
A celebration of life is Thursday, Sept. 23, at Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation at 9 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m., followed by inurnment at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. Face masks and social distancing are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home 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, Capiz, Philippines, on Aug. 15, 1949, and was the retired owner of Agustin Care Home.
She was preceded in death by husband Paustino Agustin, parents Lodgario and Maria Detoning and brother Rodrigo Detoning.
She is survived by son Tim (Britnai Sanysidro) Agustin, daughter Darlene (Tunu) Afele, 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 and Rayne Afele, great-grandchildren Kala‘i Abalos, Aurora Rose, Orion Rose and Emi Nagao, sister Florentina Dolfo, and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Sept. 25, 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 & Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Norine M. Kusaka
Norine M. Kusaka, 64, of Lihu‘e, passed away on July 21, 2021 at home. She was born in Lihu‘e on Nov. 5, 1956. She was the owner of NMK Janitorial Services.
She was preceded in death by father Yukitoshi H. Kusaka and brother Dwayne Kusaka.
She is survived by her partner Valerie Nagano, mother Fely Kusaka, brother Royden (Weena) Kusaka, nieces Taylor, Jaylynn and Jayde, nephew Kimo, and numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.
A drive-by celebration of life is Saturday, Sept, 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Niumalu Beach Park. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
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 parents Gilbert F. and Dorothy I. Barretto.
She is survived by husband Marvin G. Oshita , son Wendell (Laverne) Packard and Kalani (Lauren) Barretto, all of Kapaa, grandchildren Mele, Kamaile, Kalehua and Kali, brothers Gilbert F. (Lisa) Barretto Jr. of Wailua, Glenn M. (Linda) Barretto of Waipio Gentry, Waipahu, O‘ahu, Patrick N. (Jennifer) Barretto of Kapa‘a, Brian S. (Shari) Barretto of Kapa‘a, sisters Joyce B. (Rick) Hernandez of Waipio Gentry, Waipahu, O‘ahu, Debbie M. Barretto of Hanalei, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The celebration of life previously scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 at St. Catherine 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.
Gregorio Planas
Gregorio Planas of Kaumakani passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 27, 2021, at the age of 97. He was born on May 25, 1924, in Bangued, Abra, Philippines. He was a heavy equipment operator for Olokele Sugar Company.
He was preceded in death by parents Pedro and Alejandra Planas, sisters Aurelia Pe Benito Planas Bachiller, Dolores Planas Domenden and Magdalena Padilla, brother Juan Planas, and sons-in-law Gerard Silva and Don Evans.
He is survived by wife Aurora Planas, sons Leslie (Dina) Planas, Gregory (Laurie) Planas and Jared (Melissa) Planas, daughters Bridget Evans, Georgia Silva, Analisa (Kendall) Oshiro and Maybeline (Albert) Parbo, sister Josephine Stone and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Sept. 17, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary in Koloa. A walk-thru visitation is at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m., and burial at Kekaha Public Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
LuAnn ‘Tootie’ Leialoha SuiLan Aiu
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of LuAnn “Tootie” Leialoha SuiLan Aiu on Saturday Nov. 28, 2020. Born on Oct. 11, 1961 on Kaua‘i, Tootie, as she was affectionately known, had grown up there and chose to return to her home for the later part of her life. She retired from the Social Security Administration on Maui.
She was a talented artist and musician, and was beloved by all. She was preceded in death by parents Harold and Juliet Aiu.
She is survived by her partner and love of her life, Jennifer Ching, children Malia (Kona) Kuailani, Jesse Avila and Michaela Tapia, hanai daughter Monique Perriera, mother-in-law Pegi Braun, sister Wendy, brothers Bob (Joc), Joe and Tom, and brother-in-law Jeffrey (Avi) Heaukulani.
She is survived by her niece and frequent caregiver Mardi Harlow, “other kids,” her nieces and nephews Jodi Johnson, Justin Aiu, Tracy Pellazar, Aaron Aiu, Carly Aiu, Micah Aiu, Kylee Richards, Sadie Ansai, Paisley Richards, Isaac Johnson, Logan and Dylan Aiu and August and Violet Perriera, grandchildren Dallas and Darling Kuailani, and hanai siblings Jerry Nakasone Lorna Nishimitsu and Charn Hall.
A memorial service is Saturday, Oct. 9 at St. Catherine Church, with viewing 9 to 10:45 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. and burial at St. Catherine Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required.
Ellen P. Rapozo
Ellen P. Rapozo, 97, of Kilauea, passed away peacefully at home with daughters Judy and Dale by her bedside and son Paul on the phone on September 3, 2021.
She was a lifelong member of St. Sylvester Church. In the late 1950s, she started working as manager and cook at the old Ko‘olau School until the school’s closure in 1960. She then transferred to Kapa‘a High & Intermediate School cafeteria, where she remained for 23 years as a baker. She loved being approached by former students who fondly remembered her for her famous shortbread cookies.
After her retirement in the mid 1980s, she found a sense of purpose babysitting for visitors at Princeville for a few years. But it was sitting with local baby Marissa Sperry that brought Ellen and her husband Nick the most joy. Marissa became their hanai granddaughter. Ellen and Nick enjoyed traveling with their friends and, of course, many trips to Las Vegas. They also loved catching squid, fishing and picking puka shells at ‘Anini Beach.
She was an active member of the Kilauea Seniors for many years, and enjoyed playing gate ball, singing in the chorus, learning to play the ukulele and creating intricate bunka embroidery.
She was preceded in death by husband of 59 years, Nicholas “Nick” Rapozo, parents Antone S. and Virginia G. Perreira, and brothers Bobby and Billy (Lillian) Perreira.
Ellen Ruth (as she is referred to by her family in Kalaheo), is survived by son Paul Rapozo of Rancho Mirage, California, daughters Judy and Dale Rapozo of Kilauea, nephew Butch Perreira, neices Bernadette Kalama, Dawn Smith, Marily Neves, Lori Wofford and Lela Pantohan, many grand-nieces, nephews and cousins, and dear friends both old and new.
Private services will be held with burial at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the Rapozo family with arrangements.
