Glenn Goldsmith
Glenn Goldsmith passed away peacefully at his home on Kaua‘i, on Dec. 17, 2021. He was 93.
Born on June 6, 1928 in Upland, California, Glenn was raised in Ontario, California by his parents Earl and Ruth Goldsmith. Living on the grounds of Armstrong Nurseries, he developed an interest in plants, and plant breeding in particular, at a young age. That led him to get his degree in Plant Science from UC Davis in 1950, followed by graduate studies in Plant Genetics at UCLA. While at UC Davis, Glenn met the love of his life, Jane Evans. They were married on July 7, 1951.
Glenn started his career by working for 4 years for Denholm Seed Company in Lompoc, California, followed by another 4 years at Pan American Seed Company in Paonia, Colorado. In June of 1962, Glenn, Jane and their 4 sons moved to Gilroy, California to start their own company, Goldsmith Seeds.
To support the success of his plant development efforts, Goldsmith Seeds established a production company in Guatemala in 1966, additional production in Kenya in 1981, and breeding and production companies in Holland in 1982. All of the companies of Goldsmith Seeds reflected Glenn’s commitment to bettering the lives of their employees.
During his career, Glenn garnered recognition for his plant breeding from industry organizations All America Selections and FleuroSelect, and was awarded All America Selections Medallion of Honor, FleuroSelect Laureat, Gilroy Man of the Year, Gilroy Hall of Fame, Guatemalan Peace Medallion, the Award of Distinction from UC Davis and an honorary doctorate from La Universidad de Valle de Guatemala.
Philanthropy was also a key element of Glenn’s life. Once he and Jane moved to Kaua‘i they became ardent supporters of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, with Glenn serving for many years as a trustee. They were also supporters of Hospitalito de Gustavo Castaneda Palacios in Guatemala, Kaua‘i United Way, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Gilroy Foundation, Gilroy Rotary Endowment, and many other causes.
Glenn and Jane also developed a love for sailing, culminating in a trip sailing for 6 months a year for 5 years, traveling down the west coast of California, Central America, through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean, and finishing in Florida.
Glenn is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jane, his sisters Mardy Ratliff and Gerry Rickert, his sons and their wives, Bill and Rebecca, Joel and Paula, Richard and Laurie, and Jim and Kate, 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Services for Glenn are pending.
David Ko‘omealani Palama, Jr.
David Ko‘omealani Palama, Jr. passed away peacefully at home in Kahili Mountain, Koloa on Dec. 12, 2021, at the age of 85. He was born on May 5, 1936, in Makaweli, Hawai‘i. He was a Site Contractor and Rancher.
He was preceded in death by his parents David and Marie Palama, Sr., siblings Claire (Buddy) Perreira, Thomas (Patricia) Palama, Roland Palama, Arthur (Lena) Palama, Clarence Palama, and Clayton (Barbara) Tremaine, and son Austin Alquiza.
He is survived by his wife Moana Kinimaka Palama of Koloa, sons Dana Palama of Kalaheo, Jeffrey Palama of Waikoloa, Hawai‘i, daughters Maile Gonsalves of Modesto, California, Lisa (John) Ruiz of Hanapepe, Galeen (Mark) Palama of Keapana, HI, Leilani (Damien) Alquiza of Commerce, Texas, Kauanoe (Stefan) Hoomanawanui of Kahili Mountain, Kahala Hoomanawanui of Anahola, brother Stephan (Cathy) Palama of Kalaheo, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
Na ‘Ohana of David Ko‘omealani Palama Ke Kona aku nei ia oukou i kona pa’ina ho‘omana‘o i ka la Ianuali 15, 2022 i ka hola 2 p.m. ma Kona halema Kahili Mauka.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Dardanelle Francine Mapuana Sui Lang Kaauwai
On Nov. 29, 2021, immediate family members celebrated Ho‘olewa, the one-year anniversary of our beloved “Danel’s” passing. ‘Iwa birds circled and weaved above the canyon at Koke‘e where she had requested her ashes be scattered, at the end of a favorite hiking trail. Rose petals, leis of hala, ti, and jade accompanied her as winds danced with ‘Iwa overhead.
Danel played piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, and taiko drums. She also performed with a taiko and kupuna ukulele group. She was a crafter, sewed, created stained glass and Christmas art. She made quilts for many family members, including for each of her grandchildren. She admired the Japanese classic painting Under the Wave Off Kanagawa, replicated it for her home, displayed next to a bonsai tree. She was a good cook, “handyman” – fixed appliances, built kitchen cabinets, and other projects.
She was a registered nurse, compassionate healer, generous, thoughtful, and loyal; a comforting wife, mother, Puna (grandmother) and sister. She is survived by loving husband Jake Kaauwai, sons Richard Burkhart (Diane DeHart) and Keoni Burkhart, grandchildren Hanalei, Maile and James, siblings Mahealani Wendt, Warren Perry, Darryl Perry, Dave Perez, Alexis King, Moses Martinez, Antone Perry-Perez, Jr. ; many generations of neices and nephews.
We will love and cherish her always; we will never forget her.
Leona Ai Bryant
Leona Ai Bryant, age 55, of Lawai, Hawai‘i passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. Leona was born on April 26, 1966, in Misawa, Aomori Japan.
She is survived by her husband Conrad Bryant of Lawai, Kaua‘i and her parents Tony and Taiko Hubahib of Waimea, Kaua‘i.
Leona attended Mid-Pacific Institute on O‘ahu. After high school she moved to New Mexico to attend college and began working as a Physical Therapy Technician for the elderly and children. It was in New Mexico that she met and later married her husband, Conrad Bryant of 24 years. They moved after a few years due to being tired of the New Mexico heat, to Port Orchard, Washington. After 16 years of warm summers and cold wet winters, they moved to Kaua‘i to be closer to her parents.
Leona was known for her welcoming spirit, love of life, and love of Christ. She had an adventuresome side to her. She loved to explore, travel and experience life to the fullest.
One of her nicknames was the “Queen of Pickleball” at the courts she helped manage and maintain. She became quite a player and advocate for the game. She developed a myriad of friends who played pickleball, rode horses, or participated in a Women’s Bible Study. She made friends wherever she went. She truly was a Renaissance Woman. She will be missed!
A Memorial Service for Leona Bryant will be on Jan. 22, 2022, at Kauai Christian Fellowship, 2731 Ala Kinoiki, Koloa, (Back road to Po‘ipu). Service begins at 11 a.m. followed by fellowship and pupus.
