Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity.
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Joel Kennedy
Joel Bert Kennedy, 69, of Hawi died June 23, 2014, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born Sept. 2, 1944, in Honolulu, he formerly served as communications director for the state House of Representatives, was a former vice president of public affairs for Hawaiian Telephone Co., vice president of corporate communications for The Queen’s Health Systems, managing editor for Kohala Mountain News and an Army veteran.
A private family memorial service was held and his ashes buried at sea. Memorial donations in his name may be sent to Hawaiian Humane Society in Honolulu or PBS Hawaii.
He is survived by wife, Ann Kennedy of Hawi; daughter, Carole (Billy) Alvarado of California; son, Scott Kennedy of Maryland; brothers, Bruce Kennedy of California and Mark Kennedy, both of California, David (Anna Marie) Kennedy of Honolulu; two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Joyce Brees
Joyce Fay Brees, 83, of Jackson, Calif., died July 12, 2014. She was born Dec. 30, 1930, in California.
A graveside committal service will be held at noon July 22 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
She is survived by sons, Burton (Marilyn) Brees, Steve (Cindy) Brees; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nit Wong
Nit Ung Lau Wong, 96, of Hilo died July 14, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 14, 1917, in Hilo, she was a retired hair stylist.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. July 22 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, Hilo, for a 5 p.m. service. A burial service will be held at 9 a.m. July 23 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Terrence (Kris) Wong of Springfield, Va.; two grandsons; three stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Theodore Wong
Theodore “Ted” Nyuk Fa Wong, 75, of Kailua-Kona died July 16 at his residence. Born April 10, 1939, in Hilo, he was a supervisor for the Department of Liquor Control, former police officer and Air Force veteran.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. July 24 at Mokuaikaua Congregational Church in Kailua-Kona for a 10 a.m. service. Burial follows at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Family requests casual attire to be worn.
He is survived by wife, Frieda Wong of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Krista (Matthew) Brooks of Kailua-Kona, Robyn (Mark) Wass of Kailua, Oahu; sister, Roberta (Peter) Fithian of Honolulu; two grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Zion DeGuzman Jr.
Zion Pomaikaiokalani DeGuzman Jr., 16, of Mountain View died June 27, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Oct. 10, 1997, in Hilo, he was a student at Keaau High School.
Friends may call at 6 p.m. July 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 7 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by mother, Robin Poepoe of Hilo; father, Zion DeGuzman Sr. of Hilo; sisters, Keahi (Ryan) Pavao of Hawaiian Acres, Chantee (Lenny) Poepoe-Vigil of Mountain View, Chyrel Poepoe of San Diego, Kaleolani Poepoe-DeGuzman of Hilo; brother, Kainoa Poepoe-Vigil of Waimea; paternal grandmother, Anita Kahana of Panaewa; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Higa
Robert “Bobby” Kiyozumi Higa, 86, of Honokaa died July 6, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 22, 1927, in Ookala, he was retired from the former Hamakua Sugar Co., a Korean War Army veteran and member of Hui Okinawa, Honokaa Senior Center, Honomu Raiders Kupuna Softball Team and Hamakua Health Center Diabetic Education Program.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. July 25 at Honokaa Hongwanji Mission for a 9 a.m. service. Graveside urn committal service follows at 2 p.m. at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by sons, Tyrus (Lynn) Higa of Honokaa, Zackery (Kimberly) Higa of Hilo; daughters, Natalie (Richard Requelman) Higa of Hilo, Renee (Stan) Gonsalves of Kohala; brother, Edward (Alice) Higa of Honolulu, sister, Ethel Miura of Hilo; eight grandchildren; one aunt; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Lujan
John J. Lujan, 69, of Pahoa died July 4, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired carpenter.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. July 26 at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home for an 11:30 a.m. service. Family requests no flowers. Services in Honolulu are pending.
He is survived by wife, Angelina Lujan of Pahoa; sons, James Lujan and Jesse Lujan, both of Honolulu, Jason Lujan and Aaron Lujan, both of Pahoa; stepdaughter, Jainette (Miles) Iwasaki of Honolulu; brother, Micheal Lujan of Honolulu; sister, Christina Taite of Honolulu; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Norman Spencer
Norman Puanani Spencer, 70, of Hilo died July 15, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born June 12, 1944, in Kona, he was a retired district manager and newspaper carrier for Hawaii Tribune Herald, member of the American International Cargo (AIC) the A-Team and Haili Congregational Church and an Army veteran.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. July 25 at Haili Congregational Church in Hilo for a 10 a.m. services. A cathering and celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. July 25 at Onekahakaha Beach Park Pavilion 6. A private urn committal to be held at later date. Family requests aloha attire be worn. Lei are welcome.
He is survived by sons, Richard (Akalina) Spencer, Charles Spencer and Kaipo (Ciara) Spencer, all of Hilo; daughters, Norma (Eddie) Barco of Orchidland, Ardis (Chris, Sr.) Eblacas and Kanoelani (Turto) Spencer, both of Hilo, Robin Laa and Trudy Andrews, both of Keaau; stepson, Reggie (Cara) Souza of Hilo; brother, Fred Spencer of Oahu; sisters, Carolyn (Anthony) Cosma of Kona, Ida Oliveira of Texas; half-sisters; Doreen (Raymond) Kaluhimoku, Faith (Charles) Alameida and Millicent Himalya, all of Waimea; 25 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Toshie Takayama
Toshie Takayama, 83, of Hilo died July 17, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kurtistown, she was a retired cook and member of Mokichi Okada Association, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and Kaumana 1 Mile Kumiai.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. July 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughters, Lynne Lura of Minnesota, Jan (Clifford) Inn of Mililani, Oahu, Diane (Derrick) Shiro and Gwen (Wade) Kitamura, both of Hilo; sons, Reid (Debbie) Takayama and Hal Takayama, both of Hilo; brothers, Kazumi (Sueko) Yamasaki of Kurtistown, Kenneth (Caroline) Yamasaki of Hawaiian Beaches; sister, Satsue (Takumi) Hasegawa of Papaikou; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mitsugi Komo
Mitsugi “Mits” Komo, 88, of Keopu died June 21, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 9, 1926, in Keopu, he was a retired station manager for Aloha Airlines, a coffee farmer, member of Club 71 Golf Club, Hiroshima Kenjin Kai and Keopu Citizens Club, former member of Kona Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kona Lions Club and an Army veteran.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. July 27 at the Kona Hongwanji in Kealakekua for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
He is survived by wife, Elaine Komo of Keopu; daughters, Shari (Neal) Komo-Matsueda of Aiea, Oahu, Dannette (Ben) Boylan of Denver, Cynthia (Ken) Matsuda of Honolulu; brothers, Richard Komo of Wailuku, Maui, David (Harriet) Komo of Honolulu; sisters, Itsuko Takamura and Fumiko Yoshikawa, both of Kaneohe, Oahu, Emiko (Yoshiyuki) Kaneko of Kealakekua; six grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alana Taylor
Alana Taylor, 64, of Captain Cook died July 10, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Feb. 13, 1950, in Salt Lake City, she was caregiver, nurse’s aide and a former group home adviser for Kona Krafts.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Aug. 9 at Pukaana Congregational Church for a 10 a.m. service with a luncheon to follow. For information, call 895-8859.
She is survived by life partner, John Spencer of Captain Cook; brother, Paul (Robyn) Taylor of Clearfield, Utah; hanai sons, Nathan Spencer of Keauhou Mauka, Shaun (Kanoe Crivello) Spencer of Kealakekua; hanai daughter, Leilani (Henry Kahananui Jr.) Spencer of Captain Cook; eight hanai grandchildren; one hanai great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Martha Greenwell
Martha Lowrey Greenwell, 93, of Honokohau died July 13, 2014, at her residence. Born Dec. 27, 1920, in Honolulu, she was a member of Christ Church Episcopal, Daughters of Hawaii and the Kona Historical Society.
Private services will be held.
She is survived by daughter, Wendy (Anthony) Craven of Waimea; son, Jimmy (Mary Emily) Greenwell of Honolulu; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Keith Brown
Keith Alan Brown, 60, of Kailua-Kona died June 27, 2014, in Honolulu. Born Oct. 31, 1953, in Honolulu, he was a self-employed builder.
Services are pending. Condolences may be posted at hawaiianmemorialparkmortuary.com.
He is survived by wife, Janet Wells Brown; daughter, Veronica (Christopher) Aubrey; brother, Gary (Maureen) Brown; sister, Diane Brown; mother, Elizabeth Brown; one grandson.
Arrangements by Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary.
Masato Tamura
Masato “Masa” Tamura, 88, of Hilo died July 3, 2014, at his residence. Born in Kapoho, he was a retired construction laborer for S.K. Oda Construction.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. July 26 at Hilo Hongwanji for a 4 p.m. service.
He is survived by wife, Tsuruyo Tamura of Hilo; sons, Bob Tamura and Gerry (Sheila) Tamura, both of Hilo, Thomas (Debby) Tamura of Maryland; sisters, Hatsue Carvalho, Carol Okiuye and Shizue Sanekane, all of Hilo; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Norma Bolton
Norma Jean Bolton, 80, of Meridian, Idaho, formerly of Kailua-Kona, died July 7, 2014. Born July 6, 1934, in Carbonado, Wash., she served in the Navy and was a certified Master Gardener.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 25 at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, Buckley, Wash., followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment, with military honors, will be at 2 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, Wash. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C. Condolences may be posted at cremationsociety-idaho.com.
She is survived by daughters, Kara (Steve) Downing, Janet (Paul) Kostechka; one brother; one sister; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; relatives on the Big Island.
Clyde Araujo
Clyde Marvin Araujo, 72, of Orchidland Estates died July 5, 2014, at his residence. Born in Hilo, he He worked as an industrial hardware estimator for Honolulu Iron Works, was the owner of Clyde’s Cabinets in Ainaloa, member of Sacred Hearts Pahoa Catholic Church and former member of the Hawaii National Guard and The Mountain View Square Dancers.
Friends may call for visitation from 3:30 to 5 p.m. July 27 at Dodo Mortuary. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. July 28 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by siblings, Albert (Janet) Araujo of Papaikou, Lorrin (Margaret) Araujo, Louis (Jane) Araujo Jr., Paulette (Ernest) Soares and Gerald (Angela) Araujo, all of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.