Obituaries for Sunday, May 7, 2017
• Marilee Halloran • Eleanor Borilez • Albina Rapozo • Timothy Michael Alalem • Andrew Wah Piu Sun • Vernon Tasaka • Jason Delos Reyes • Gary Nobuichi Kohatsu • Luana Ruggiero • Cecelia Pualilialanaikawai Aki • Bernard Oliwa Kanahele Sr. • Dorothea Bayot-Naumu
Marilee Halloran
Marilee Halloran of Lihue passed away at the age of 71 on May 2, at Wilcox Medical Center. Born in San Bernardino, California, on July 11, 1945, she later relocated to Dana Point, California, to raise her family.
She was preceded in death by her father John William Hazelton and mother Mary Jane Hazelton, as well her beloved Aussie, Dundee.
She is survived by husband George Halloran and family, Michael Leimel, his wife Terry and granddaughter Savanna, Dan Leimel Jr., his wife Monique Leimel and grandchildren Ethan, Shane and Zoe and Sean Leimel and his wife Patty, as well as her Aussie, Sydney.
She loved her family and her home on Kauai. Her love for her Irish heritage brought her to Ireland with her husband, where she was able to see the beauty of her family’s homeland.
She served as nursing pediatric supervisor at Mission Community Hospital and later went into the real estate industry. She was one of 10 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-designated underwriters in Orange County and held a senior level position at East West Bank for many years. Her dream of moving to Kauai became a reality in 1992 where she met her life partner, George Halloran, and spent 25 years at his side.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, who wish to extend special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Wilcox Medical Center for their compassion in treating her. A celebration of life will be held privately at a later date. Her final arrangements were handled by Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Eleanor Borilez
Eleanor Borilez, 76, of Kapaa, passed away on May 1 at her home in Kapaa.
She was born on Feb. 12, 1941, in Lihue.
She is survived by sons Andrew (Nancy) Borilez and Joshua (Lisa) Borilez, daughter Lorena (David) McCleary, brothers Alfonso Hilacion and Sam “Lawrence” Araneta, sister Virginia Waiwaiole, and grandchildren Jesse-Lee and Cody McCleary and Kalan, Shania, Wyatt, and Stetson Borilez. Memorial services will be at Kapaa Kingdom Hall on May 13, at 4:30 p.m. Arrangements were handled by Borthwick/Kauai Mortuary.
Albina Rapozo
Albina Rapozo of Makaweli passed away at Kauai Care Center on May 3, at the age 94. She was born in Makaweli on May 5, 1922, and was a dedicated homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Rapozo, and sons Warren and Norman.
She is survived by her son Bryan (Andrey Chan) Rapozo of Hawaii Island, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, brother John (Margaret) Bryant of Florida, daughter-in-law Jane Rapozo, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 11, at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Waimea, with viewing from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens. Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Rapozo family with arrangements.
Timothy Michael Alalem
Timothy Michael Alalem of Kapaa passed away in Straub Hospital on March 8, at the age of 64. He was born in St. Francis Hospital in Honolulu on Oct. 9, 1952, and retired from Otsuka’s Furniture and Appliances as an engineer technician.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jerry Pastor Alalem and Dorothy Shizue Tachibana, paternal grandparents that raised him, Higino Bohol Alalem and Dominga Eltagondi Alalem, siblings Randell Rapozo, Sally Tabura, Sebastian Alalem, Connie Bartley, Lamberto Alalem, Edetta Alalem, Cresencio Alalem and Consuelo Carinio.
He is survived by his wife Jan Cheryle (Worthington) Alalem, sons Michael-Lee Alalem and Allen-Dean Keola Alalem Worthington, daughters Krystle-Nicole (Giovanni) Lagmay and Jerilyn-Cheryle (Braxton Fernandes) Alalem, grandchildren Kiara Alalem, Andrew Alalem, Janell Perreira, Giovanni Lagmay Jr. and Masyn Lagmay, siblings Valerie (Raymond) Ornellas, Jewel (Jim) Holz, Laurel (Jumbo) Camacho, Mary Ellen Kaai, Lisa Smith, Valerie (David) Reifschneider, Patricia Brooks Alalem, Danny Alalem, Joseph (Andrea) Alalem and Dolores Kama, mother Elfriede Alalem, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 27, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m.
Andrew Wah Piu Sun
Andrew Wah Piu Sun of Lawai passed away at the age of 90 on April 7, at Garden Isle Healthcare. Born in Hanalei on March 29, 1927, he was a registered X-ray technician at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his father Tuck Chow, mother Christina Sun and brother Handsome Sun.
He is survived by his wife Eunice Sun of Lawai, daughters Audrey Sun of Honolulu and Alison (Neal) Iseri of Koloa, grandchildren Janine Iseri of Hilo and Hokulani Iseri of Koloa, sisters Gladys Hashimoto of Lihue, Jane Kinzie of Anahola, Marilyn (Gene) Rayno of Lihue and Elsie Carrillo of Wailua, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, May 21, at the Garden Island Mortuary chapel in Lawai. Visitation with the family will be at 2 p.m. with services beginning at 3:30 p.m. Internment will take place at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Vernon Tasaka
Vernon “Sonny” Tasaka of Wailua passed away at Garden Isle Health Care on March 27, at the age of 88. He was the owner of David’s Body & Fender Shop on Kapaia.
He was born in Hanalei on Oct. 29, 1928.
He was preceded in death by his wife Florence Tasaka and his parents Kenichi and Asayo Tasaka.
He is survived by daughters Sheri Baker of California, Nina Tasaka of Wailua, Donna Tasaka (Wayne) Moore of South Carolina, hanai daughter Shawna Okami-Rose Hill of Nevada, grandchildren Karlina Tasaka of Wailua, Das Baker of California, Wayne Moore Jr., and Kaitlyn and Kyle Moore of South Carolina, great-grandchildren Kaylin Espada-Tasaka, Kaleomana Tasaka, Roselynn, Christopher and Micah Rapozo, all of Wailua, and Brooke and Graysin Moore of South Carolina.
He is also survived by sisters Shinae Tasaka of Hanalei and Winona Yoshida of Oahu, brother Clyde Tasaka of Wailua and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 12, at Lydgate Beach Park main pavilion. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. to noon, with the service to follow.
The family suggests casual attire and asks that flowers be omitted. Lei are welcome. Assisting the family with arrangements was Borthwick Mortuary.
Jason Delos Reyes
Jason Delos Reyes of Hanamaulu passed away at Straub Clinic and Hospital on April 21, at the age of 56. He was born on Feb. 27, 1961, in Lihue. He worked as a guest relations specialist with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Jasey Delos Reyes, parents Felipe and Abelina Delos Reyes, sister Priscilla Gummerus and nephew John Phillip Gummerus.
He is survived by his son Jonas Delos Reyes, daughter Chaya Delos Reyes, brothers Philip (Sharlyn), Kenneth, Robert (Jan), Roland and Samuel, sisters Kathleen Delos Reyes and Janice (Raynard) Ellis, numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 12 at Kauai Veterans Center in Lihue, with viewing from 8 a.m., and services celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Delos Reyes family with arrangements.
Gary Nobuichi Kohatsu
Gary Nobuichi Kohatsu of Wahiawa, Oahu, passed away at Wailua Homesteads on April 27, at the age of 99. He was born in Lawai on April 15, 1918, and was a retired civilian building maintenance supervisor with the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sally Kinoe Kohatsu, sons Wesley and Eldon Kohatsu, daughter-in-law Gayle Kehau, and siblings Harry, Windy, Tsuruko, Kimiko and Kazu.
He is survived by his daughter Sharleen (Arthur) Isoshima, son Garrett Kohatsu, grandchildren Eldon “Naoto” (Rolinda) Kohatsu, Brian “Toshio” Kohatsu, Dean (Dayna) Kohatsu, Michael (Lani) Kohatsu and Marisa “Ui” (Leslie) Mesaku, 22 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren, brother Rikichi “Dickie” Kohatsu, sister Chiyo “Betty” Doi, cousin Sue (Herbert) Iwai, beloved Kauai caregiver Amanda Phillips, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services will be held at a later date on Oahu.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Kohatsu family with arrangements.
Luana Ruggiero
Luana Ruggiero of Lihue, formerly of Kalaheo, passed away peacefully on April 30 at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Medical Center at the age of 70. Born on April 18, 1947, in the Bronx, New York City, she moved to Hawaii in the mid-1970s.
She was preceded in death by parents Nunzio and Vera Ruggiero, sister Diane and brother Neil.
She is survived by many friends on Kauai as well as in New York.
She was always a creative and imaginative person who was in many ways ahead of her time. She was a brilliant student and a gifted musician. She played baroque trumpet and especially loved the music of Bach and Handel and the organ music of Buxtehude. She sang and played guitar in both folk and bluegrass styles, as well as old English melodies. She attended The High School of Music and Art in New York City, a special school for gifted students.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 10, at Kalaheo Missionary Church at 6:30 p.m.
Pupu will follow.
Arrangements were handled by Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Cecelia Pualilialanaikawai Aki
Cecelia Pualilialanaikawai Aki of Hanapepe passed away on April 26, peacefully at home at the age of 68. Born on March 20, 1949, she was a retired laborer with Fletcher Pacific.
She was preceded in death by her parents Cecelia Lehua Kaukani Aki and Albert Herman Aki Sr., brothers Marshall John Kilohana Aki and Albert Herman Kaleohano Aki Jr., and grandson Kainalu K. Napohaku.
She is survived by her companion Christopher E. Kali of Hanapepe, daughters Cecelia (Sheldon) Hoffman of Kalaheo, Anela (Christian) Ogawa of Lihue, and Girley (Troy Yamamoto) Napohaku of Hanapepe, son Noah Napohaku of Hanapepe, 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, brother George (Lauretta) Kaukani of Oahu, sister Sally Aki of Arizona, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congressional Church.
The family suggests casual attire.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Bernard Oliwa Kanahele Sr.
Bernard Oliwa Kanahele Sr., born on June 16, 1964, on the island on Niihau, passed away on May 3, at the age of 52.
He was preceded in death by Oihana Leimana Kanahele and Evaline Kanahele.
He is survived by his wife, Diane H. Kanahele of Kekaha, sons Bernard Oliwa Kanahele Jr. of Kekaha, Darion Kaleiho‘omaikai Pheiffer, Allan Kaleionalani (Nawai) Kahale and Dana Drew Kalanianehiilani Pheiffer, daughters Tracyann H.K. (Hopate) Vakameilau of Kekaha, Chassidyann K. Kanahele of Kekaha, Katelynn K. Kanahele of Kekaha, Kaleilehua Atay and Kelly Waialohakahokuloa, brothers Kalei (Kuuipo) Kanahele of Hanapepe, Pomaikai (Kapua) Kanahele of Ka‘awanui and Keli‘i (Allison) Kanahele, and sisters Tuti Kanahele Doreen (Lauae Kanahele) Naleieha Kanahele, and Pu‘uwai Kanahele.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, May 13, at the Garden Island Mortuary chapel in Lawai. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with services to follow. Burial will take place at the Kekaha Hawaiian Cemetery.
The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Dorothea Bayot-Naumu
Our beloved mother Dorothea Bayot-Naumu, 79, passed away peacefully on April 17, at her Las Vegas home.
She is survived by daughter Yvette Kuulei (Paul) Gettner of Scotts Valley, California, son Nathan Nalei Naumu of Las Vegas, daughter Nadine Haunani (Chara) Naumu of Lawai, son Troy Kaili Naumu of Las Vegas, grandson, Daniel (Jaisa) Ikaika Cummings of Kapaa, grandson Timothy (Tiffany) Cummings of Las Vegas, great-grandson Kaleb Kainalu (Timothy) Cummings, great-granddaughter Gabrielle Grace Hilinai, grandson Nathan Palmore of Stafford, Virginia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was well-loved by everyone who knew her. Her bright spirit and beautiful smile lit up the world and she will be forever remembered in hearts and memories.
She was preceded in death by her husband Hughes Nahuka Naumu and son Hughes Nahuka “Tino” Naumu Jr., who died in Las Vegas.
Cremation services were held at Desert Memorial in Las Vegas.
Her final internment will be held at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
