Obituaries for Friday, November 19, 2021

Joseph James ‘Joe’ Sugai

Joseph James “Joe” Sugai, 73, of Anahola, passed away on Nov. 6, 2021, at his home, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on Kaua‘i on April 19, 1948, and retired as an irrigation supervisor for the Lihu‘e Plantation Company.

He was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Marion Sugai, brother Stanford Sugai, father-in-law Fred Aki Sr., brother-in-law Doug Ka‘eo, brother-in-law Fred Aki Jr., nephew Dougie Boy Ka‘eo and niece Stacey Kelekoma.

He is survived by wife Melissia Sugai, daughters Maile (Alika) Masada, Marla (Pomai) Cockett, Ana (Mindy) Ho‘omanawanui-Sugai, Joeddy (Brad) Aki-Sugai, Nohi (Jessie) Pia-Sugai and Kapua (Bryson) Sugai-Salvador, sisters Bernie Ka‘eo and Judy (Pat) Kelekoma, stepmother Dora Sugai, grandchildren RJ Masada, Kala‘e Masada, Treavor Cockett, Kensi Cockett, Bryden Sugai-Salvador, Tee Sugai-Salvador, La‘e Sugai-Salvador and Kiyomi Sugai, hanai grandchild Ka‘eo Contrades, great-grandchild Chevy Masada and numerous other relatives.

He was born and raised in Kealia, attended St. Catherine School then Kapa‘a High School, where he graduated. He was known to be an awesome football player for the Kapa‘a Warriors.

After high school he in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. After military service he returned to Kaua‘i and attended Kaua‘i Community College trade school.

He started a family, having two girls, Maile and Marla. In 1982 he met Melissia and they had two daughters, Ana and Joeddy. He married Melissia in 1987, having two more daughters, Nohi and Kapua, raising their family in their home in Anahola.

He worked for Lihu‘e Plantation 30 years and retired as an irrigation supervisor. Working in the plantation, he gained knowledge operating all the waterways from Lihu‘e to Anahola. After leaving the plantation, he was employed with Paradise Ranch as a ranch foreman and a grounds supervisor.

He was a lifelong rancher and cowboy who learned from his uncles Willy and Manuel Ornellas. He got back into the rodeo and started teaching his daughters the sport he loved, and supported them. He looked forward to going to rodeos and seeing friends and talking story. As his children got older, he looked forward tp traveling to Maui and spending his days watching his grandson participate in rodeos and baseball and spending time with his Maui friends.

When he wasn’t traveling he was busy supporting his grandson that he raised on Kaua‘i playing baseball and football. He looked forward to baseball season (like rodeo) so he could see his friends and family and, most of all, watch his grandson play his heart out. His recent travels were with the Kawaihau Little League All-Stars that his grandson played for and traveled to O‘ahu then to Maui for the state finals. He was well known as “Papa Joe” by the team, which loved to hear him cheer. He will definitely be missed at the games by all the families who have come to know and love him.

With a love for Vegas, he was a man who traveled yearly to enjoy his time playing cards and his favorite, craps. “No Pass” is what his friends knew him as, but no matter what, he would not change for anyone.

A celebration of life is Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Kelekoma pasture on Kealia Road past the Spaulding Monument towards Anahola. Look for signs. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with services at noon, followed by lunch and music to enjoy and fellowship. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face masks are required.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens &Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Betty J. Weichhart

Betty J. Weichhart, 96, of Kapa‘a, passed away on May 22, 2021. She was born in Portland, Oregon on March 27, 1925.

She was preceded in death by husband John Weichhart, sister Lynn Hammersmith, son Rexford Weichhart and grandson Ivan Beekman.

She is survived by children Wendy Morgan, Mardy (Jay) Valentine and John “Ty” (Stacy) Weichhart Jr., six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is at her home, 7270 Aina Pono St., Kapa‘a, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m.

Mylene ‘My-My’ Jane Aguinaldo

Mylene “My-My” Jane Aguinaldo of Kilauea passed away on Oct. 27, 2021, at Queen’s Medical Center, O‘ahu, at the age of 35. She was born on April 5, 1986 in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was a bookkeeper for Earthworks Pacific.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Felimon and Felipa Aguinaldo and mother Thelma Passion Cadiente Aguinaldo.

She is survived by father Weslie “Amboy” (Lilibeth) Aguinaldo Sr., brothers Reynan Aguinaldo, Jastin Aguinaldo, Joshweih Aguinaldo and Weslie Aguinaldo Jr., all of Kilauea, sisters Lena (Dennis) Bueno of ‘Ele‘ele and Gwen Aguinaldo of Kilauea, and by numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Friends may visit the family on Saturday, Nov. 20, at St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Kilauea, with visitation at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., followed by burial at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kealia.

Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Judie L. Shintani

Judie L. Shintani passed away on Nov. 11, 2021 at the age of 59, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital. She was born on Nov. 1, 1962 at Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau. She was an educational assistant for Ni‘ihau schools in Kekaha.

She is survived by sons Jeremiah (Rachel) Shintani of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau, Kenneth (Momi) Shintani Jr. of Ka‘awanui Camp, Barney (Ualani) Shintani of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau and Aaron “Mikey” (Hoku) Shintani of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau, daughter Racine (Manu) Shintani of ‘Ele‘ele, 17 granchildren, brothers Uilama Ho‘omana (Noelani) Kanahele of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau and Isaac (Ehulani) Kanahele of Kekaha, sisters Dale Evans (Kalei) Kanahele of Hanapepe and Laurie (Lee) Pahulehua of Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau, and by numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services are at Garden Island Mortuary Saturday, Nov. 20, with a walk-thru visitation from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a celebration of life and burial at the Kekaha Hawaiian Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face masks are required, with a limit of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Corazon Carcueva Hesapene

Corazon Carcueva Hesapene, 88, of Kekaha, passed away peacefully on Nov. 10, 2021, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born in Mana, Kaua‘i on June 25, 1933, and was a loving homemaker.

She was preceded in death by husband Magua Hesapene, sons Dean Hesapene and Kenneth Hesapene, great-granddaughter Kaisa Hesapene Gramberg, and brothers Cilino Carcueva and Ponto Carcueva.

She is survived by children Verna (Mike) Kirsch, Sharon (Byron) Ariola, Marvin (Iris) Hesapene, David (Camille) Hesapene and Audrey (Steve) Franco, daughter-in-law Juno (Dean-deceased), brother Sofronio (Rose) Carcueva, sister Mabel (Charles deceased) Pacleb, 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Nov. 20, at St. Theresa Church in Kekaha from 10 to 11 a.m. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Due to COVID-19, burial will be private, social distancing and face masks are required.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dr. Gerald J. McKenna, MD, DFASAM, DLFAPA

Dr. Gerald J. McKenna, MD, DFASAM, DLFAPA, a devoted son, father, husband, humble community psychiatrist, a physician leader and expert in the evaluation and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD, aka addiction), a fearless advocate against injustice especially for persons struggling with addiction, has suddenly passed, and he will be sorely missed for all the vacancies he leaves in our communities and in our hearts. He was a navigator on land, in the water, in the air and the maze of life.

The family is grateful for the many dear friends, relatives, colleagues and hanai family who supported him and his endeavors, the lives he was allowed to connect with and share in mutual nurturing, whether relative, friend, patient, staff or precept, who may also step up in their own capacities as he did, in our communities where we live in support of a life of recovery. His legacy lives on, as his family and staff are committed to continue with his clinic services. He was raised in the Catholic faith.

Services are Monday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Face masks and social distancing are required. Seating will be limited due to state Department of Health precautions.

Robert Banquel

Robert Banquel passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 72. He was born on June 5, 1949 in Kealia. He was a heavy-equipment mechanic and a sargeant in the U.S. Army.

He was preceded in death by wife Erlinda Acoba Banquel, grandson Kisen Libre-Banquel, parents Buenaventura Banquel Sr. and Theodora Alisna Banquel, brother Ricardo Banquel and sister Gloria Somalpong.

He is survived by sons Ki (Krystal) Banquel of Hanapepe, Jordan Banquel of Nevada, grandchildren Lanakila Banquel, Makani Banquel and Ki-Lyn Libre-Banquel, brothers Lorencio Banquel Sr. of Washington state, Buenaventura Banquel Jr. of Koloa, sisters Veronica Dasalip of Kapa‘a, Edna Lynn (Henry) Lovell of Kapa‘a, Patricia Apana of O‘ahu, Carolyn (Kaupena) Kinimaka of Puhi and Marilyn Tolbe of O‘ahu, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to COVID-19, services will be held at a later date.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.