Obituaries for Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Delwood Kalei Gardner
Delwood Kalei Gardner
Delwood Kalei Gardner passed away on Feb. 16, 2023 at the age of 52. He was born on Dec. 13, 1970 in Lihu‘e. He was a welder/iron worker and owner of Kalei’s Steelworks.
He was preceded in death by parents Clarence and Maverline “Nani” Gardner, brother Moses Lono Gardner and son Kody Kalei Gardner.
He is survived by wife Lanell Miyamoto of Kaua‘i, daughter Britney (Jarett) Fujioka of Kaua‘i, grandchildren Kailea Fujioka and Maddie Fujioka, brother Wayne (Raynette) Taniguchi of Kaua‘i, sister Raynette (Momilani) Gardner of Kauai, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Saturday, April 15. Visitation begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kody Kalei Gardner
Kody Kalei Gardner passed away on Feb. 28, 2022, at the age of 22. He was born on July 1, 2000 in Lihu‘e.
He was preceded in death by father Delwood Kalei Gardner, grandparents Clarence and Maverline “Nani” Gardner and uncle Moses Lono Gardner.
He is survived by mother Lanell Miyamoto of Kaua‘i, sister Britney (Jarett) Fujioka) of Kaua‘i, nieces Kailea Fujioka and Maddie Fujioka of Kaua‘i, grandparents Lon (Valerie) Miyamoto of Kaua‘i and Melanie (Roger) Espino Honjo of Nevada, and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service is at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Saturday, April 15. Visitation begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Virginia Kum Sin Pak Hasegawa
Virginia Kum Sin Pak Hasegawa, of Kalaheo, passed away peacefully at home on March 5, 2023, at the age of 92. She was born on Aug. 7, 1930 in Lihu‘e.
She worked as a sales clerk at Shopperette, Barbie’s Boutique and Four Seasons. She loved working in the yard, surrounded by her many beautiful flowers. She was a woman of great faith, who loved God and her family with all her heart.
She was preceded in death by father Sam Hop Pak, mother Komolole Kapaka, brother Lawrence Pak, and sister Dora Kashima.
She was the cherished wife of 70 years to Masao Hasegawa, and loving mother to Russ (Marilyn) Hasegawa and Caryn (Clayton) Sakahashi. She was known as grans or grannie to Jennifer Heu, Kris (Brian) Sandoval, Linnea (Luka Kanaka‘ole) Heu, Kirsten (Matt) Holyoak, Kori (Carter) Sakahashi and Caira (Samuel) Reed, and was was lovingly called GG grannie by her great- grandchildren Brayden Heu-Greenbaum, Finnegan and Tate Sandoval, Madilyn, Amelia, Devon, and Miles Holyoak, Charleigh and Kamryn Sakahashi and Malia, Quincy, and Jack Reed. She was fondly known as aunty Kum Sin by her nieces and nephews. Her famous potato macaroni salad and fried noodles will be greatly missed at family gatherings.
Private services were held. The family kindly declines koden (monetary gifts).
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements. Sincerest gratitude to Kaua‘i Hospice and especially to Grace, who provided such compassionate care during her time of need.
Gwendolyn Noelani Reis-Yancey
On Monday, July 18, 2022, Gwendolyn Noelani Reis-Yancey, loving daughter, sister, mother, grandma and auntie, passed away peacefully at the age of 74 in her home.
She was born on June 12, 1948, in Lihu‘e, to Antone Carvalho Reis and Margaret Kameahou Kaui, and rasied in Keapana Valley, where she always loved. She married James Yancey and raised four children in Killeen, Texas, where she lived most of her life. Then they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived and passed peacefully away, with her ‘ohana at her side.
She had a passion for playing music, with any ‘ukulele she could get her hands on. She loved playing cards with ‘ohana and talking story of the good old times in Keapana Valley. She loved cooking. Spending time with ‘ohana was important to her. Elvis Presley was her idol.
She was preceded in death by parents Antone Reis and Margaret Kaui, brother Moises “Moki” Kaui, and sisters Jeanette Winona Souza and Charlotte Leimomi McCumsey, husband James Yancey and sons Rober and Albert Ward.
She is survived by brothers Antone “Tony” (Lorraine) Reis of Keapana, James “Kimo” (Allyson) Reis of Anahola, sister Cheryl Reis of Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter Renee Amador of Albuquerque, New Mexico and son Leonard Ward of California, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She will be laid to rest in Keapana Valley in the family grave yard with grave side services on April 29, beginning at 9 a.m. A celebration of life will be held in Anahola, at Kimo’s residence: 4424 Hokualele Road, Anahola.
Gilroy Mahealani Yorkman
Gilroy Mahealani Yorkman, 76, of Lawa‘i, passed away on Feb. 3, 2023. He was a Vietnam veteran and a retired fire chief at the Lihu‘e Airport Crash Fire Rescue and Fire Fighting Department.
He was the son of Craddock Yorkman and Ruth (Luka) Ho‘opai Yorkman, brother of Craddock Kamaile Yorkman and father of Damien Yorkman, all whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by daughter Shay Yorkman, grandsons Kalen Bagano and Tyrus Yorkman, granddaughter Shaylee Yorkman, two great-grandchildren, life partner Marilyn Yamaguchi, brother Wesley Kanani (MaryAnn) Yorkman, sisters Roseabelle Kalili (Bazel) Hansen, Karen (John) Hunter and Lusalle (Sonny) Andrade, sister-in-law Ka‘anoi Yorkman, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on April 15 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kekaha Ward. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. with chapel services to follow. Scattering of ashes will be held at a later date. The family suggests aloha attire.
He will be honored in a special recognition service by the state Department of Transportation Lihu‘e Airport Crash Fire Rescue and Fire Fighting Department.
All friends are welcome to come and share their aloha.
Paul Wayne Light
Paul Wayne Light passed away on Feb. 20, 2023, with family and close friends by his side. He was 82. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was genuinely the most kindest hearted person, and left a lasting impression on many who had the privilege of meeting him.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1940, in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was the oldest sibling of brothers Robert and Jon Felderman. He completed four years of college and soon after joined the Army. While he was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, he met the love of his life, Monika. They were married on June 25, 1962, and moved to California soon after. They went on to have two sons, Robert and William.
He began his career and eventually retired as a film lab technician at Fotokem in Burbank, California. He was an outstanding artist, and created numerous oil paintings in his spare time. He also loved to express himself through writing, and had penned hundreds of heartfelt letters to loved ones and friends throughout his lifetime.
He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1970, and dedicated the rest of his life to helping his family and others come to know and love God as he did.
He had visited Kaua‘i many times with his wife throughout the years, and after she passed he made Kapa‘a his home four years ago.
He was preceded in death by father Robert Felderman Sr. and mother Edith Felderman.
He is survived by brothers Robert (Dalal) Felderman of Palmdale, California and Jon Felderman of Woodland Hills, California, sons Robert Light of California and William (Natasha) Light of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Katie (Jeremy) Balonick of Kapa‘a and Brianne Light of Lihu‘e, and great-grandchildren Treyson and Brayden Balonick of Kapa‘a.
The immediate family will hold a private service. His gentle, calm and loving spirit will be greatly missed.
Eddie E. Barba Jr.
Eddie E. Barba Jr., 66, of Honolulu, passed away on Feb. 5, 2023. He was born on May 11, 1956, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended Kapa‘a High School and Kaua‘i High School. He was a truck driver for 30 years.
He was preceded in death by mother Betty R. Barba, father Eddie E. Barba Sr. and sister Pamela Hernandez.
He is survived by son Eddie E. Barba III, brother Ronnie, sister Tammy, numerous nieces and nephews, and Tangalin and Barba ‘ohana.
A celebration of life will be held in the future. For more information, text Tammy at 808-652-5654.
Amelia Verona Santella
Amelia Verona Santella, 95, passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2023. She was born in the Philippines on Dec. 7, 1927, and worked as a chemist for Kilovac.
She is survived by her three daughters, two sisters, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, April 15, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Kealia Cemetery.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Moises Cortado
Moses Cortado passed away on Feb. 25, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center, at the age of 80. He was born on March 23, 1942, in the Philippines. He was a farm laborer.
He was preceded in death by parents Emegidio and Marina Cortado, brother Romeo Cortado and sister Amelia Ruaboro.
He is survived by his longtime partner Bella Valdez of Kapa‘a, sons Philip Cortado, Eduardo Cortado, Rogelio (Editha C.) Cortado, Ruben (Charito C.) Cortado and Henry (Marites) Cortado, all of the Philippines, daughters Noemi Cortado of Kapa‘a and Helen (George) Brillo of Philippines, brother Ruperto (Marcel) Cortado of San Francisco, sister-in-law Nora Cortado, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A service is Saturday, April 8, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i, with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kelly Kahelelani Vea
Kelly Kahelelani Vea passed away on March 5, 2023, in Pearl City, O‘ahu, at Pali Momi Medical Center, at the age of 52. He was born on July 13, 1970, in Waimea. He worked for the state Department of Transportation.
He was preceded in death by mother Rosaline T. Romero Masuda.
He is survived by wife Penny Ann Tomacder Vea, sons Mycah Aquias of Lihu‘e and Makoaokalani Vea of Lihu‘e, daughters Kellin (Louis Silva Jr.) Vea of Kapa‘a and Kelsey Ann Vea of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Kanani Silva, Kiani Silva, Maia Aquias and Dalia Aquias, parents Valencia P. Vea and Linda Vea of Hanapepe, brothers Vailenn (Cherisse Rita) Vea of Kekaha, Vernon (Sabrina Le) Vea of Hanapepe and Vincent “Vinnie” Vea of Hanapepe, sister Kimberly (Ed) Lee of Kapolei, and choke uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Sunday, April 2, at Niumalu Canoe Club, in the heart of Kalapaki Bay. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A celebration of life will follow.
The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
