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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Josiah Kealoha
Josiah Kealoha, formerly known as “Pake” Gaspar, 65, of Hilo, died July 23, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on Molokai, he was a retired professional musician who played with the group Manae and Kapaakea Homestead Band and member and choir director of the 3 Days and 3 Nights Study Hall of Hilo.
Friends may call at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 8 at Leleiwi Beach Park for a celebration of life luncheon. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by sons, Eddie (Malia) Gaspar and Michael Halican, both of Hilo, Lopaka (Beth) Gaspar of California; daughters, Mary (Ola) Lee, Crissy Distelhorst and Donna Juliussen, all of Hilo, Makanani Gaspar of Oregon; brothers, Roy McNabb and Gene McNabb, both of the mainland; sisters, Ipo (Fred) Koyaso of Makaha, Oahu, Joelyn Gaspar, Shirley Olsen, Mary (Mike) Nalley, and Maxine Linary, all of the mainland; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis Branco Sr.
“Bronco” Dennis Allan Branco Sr., 68, of Hilo died July 20, 2014, in Hilo. Born April 4, 1946, on Oahu, he was a certified welder and mechanic.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Glad Tidings Church, 113 Kuawa St. in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Barbara Branco of Hilo; sons, Dennis (Dayna) Branco Jr. and Donovan (Fran) Branco, both of Hilo; daughter, Dinnyvie Branco of Hilo; brothers, Harry (Hatsue) Branco of Ewa, Oahu, Bruce (Shane) Branco of California, Rodney Branco of Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mary Keller
Mary Keller, 65, of Pahoa died July 24, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home for a 1:30 p.m. service. Burial follows at 3:30 p.m. at Alae cemetery.
She is survived by spouse, Elmer Keller Sr. of Pahoa; sons, Elmer (Amanda) Keller Jr. of Glenwood, John Keller and Jonathan Keller, both of Pahoa; daughters, Mary (Mario) Castillo of Pahoa, Crystal (Danny) Defries of Kauai, Alisha (Dustin) Willis of Hilo; brother, Eddie Grammer of Keaau; sister, Tina Alvarez of Hilo; 13 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Doris Teraoka
Doris Yooko Iura Teraoka, 84, of Hilo died July 14, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Care Center. Born June 14, 1930, in Hilo, she was a retired bookkeeper for the former Shuman Lumber Co. and member of Hale Kahakai Association.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by husband, Tetsuo Teraoka of Hilo; daughters, Arlene (James Parente) Teraoka of Minneapolis, Beverly Teraoka of Seattle, DeEtte (Eric Robarts) Teraoka-Robarts of Papaikou; sister, Lorraine (Ronald) Hora of Hilo; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Teves
David Kanaeaupuni Teves, 62, of Pahoa died June 4, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service, a founding member of 2 Guys from Puna and an Air Force veteran.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at Wailoa State Park large pavilion for a service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, Jonathan Teves of Hilo, Garner Teves of Ohio; daughter, Kaikea Teves of Hilo; brothers, Puuloa (Martha) Teves of Kauai, Ehukai Teves of North Carolina, Kamalei (Leanne) Teves of Oahu; six grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Norman Tokuda
Norman M. Tokuda, 74, of Aiea died July 28, 2014. Born July 1, 1940, in Honohina, he was a retired plumber and Army veteran.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Aug. 14 at Nuuanu Memorial Park &Mortuary for a 6 p.m. service. A committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Family requests no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Audrey Tokuda of Aiea, Oahu; son, Kevin Tokuda of Aiea, Oahu; daughter, Kristy Tokuda of Minnesota; sisters, Irene Yamashiro of Honolulu, Betty Inouye of Aiea, Oahu.
Winifred Serion
Winifred “Chiko” Mitsuko Serion, 64, of Kealia died July 14, 2014, at her daughter’s residence in Keauhou. Born Jan. 16, 1950, she was a former cashier for Kailua-Kona Chevron and a salesperson for the former Typewriter Center.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Aug. 16 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keei Ward, 84-5236 Hawaii Belt Road, Honaunau, for a 9:30 a.m. service. Leis and flowers are welcome.
She is survived by sons, Russell (Jaycie) Serion of Kealia, Ryan (Doralyn Paulo) Serion of Honaunau; daughter, Puanani (Kauhane Smith) Serion; sisters, Gladys (Marium Cornelio) Fujihara of Keauhou, Lorraine (James) Motoyama and Arlene (Michael Reilly), both of Kealakekua, Lillian (Elson) Mori Sr. and Barbara Jean (Grant) Shiraishi, both of Kealakehe; brothers, Melvin Fujihara of Kailua-Kona, Howard Fujihara and Phillip (Roselle) Fujihara, both of Kealakehe, Douglas (KimberlyAnn Fukuda-Edwards) Fujihara of Hilo, Harold Fujihara of Kealia; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Eloise Krause
Eloise Waiola “Tweet” Krause, 50, of Kurtistown died July 19, 2014, at home. Born April 28, 1964, in Hawaii, she was a homemaker.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by son, Mokuhalii (Krystal Kakazu) Pavao of Kurtistown; hanai son, Santana Gentry of Hilo; hanai daughter, Haley Pua of Pahoa; brothers, Elroy (DeeDee) Krause of Hana, Maui, John Krause of Kurtistown; sisters, Claudia Krause of Kurtistown, Tammy (Kema) Kanakaole of Hana, Maui; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clifford Olsen
Clifford Shawn Olsen, 55, of Mountain View died Feb. 11, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hollywood, Fla., he was a retired roofer.
No services are planned.
He is survived by sons, Matthew Olsen of Portland, Ore., Noah Olsen and Kevin Olsen, both of Hilo; sister, Diane Hubbell of Florida; brother, Keith Olsen of Wisconsin; one grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joyce Waitt
Joyce Rhea Waitt died June 12, 2014, at Paradise Senior Living in Phoenix. Born March 31, 1931, in Burlington, Vt., she was a retired examiner at the Kona Driver’s License Department, a volunteer with Hawaii County Senior Volunteer Program and member of Solid Rock Ministries in Kona and Abundant Life Ministries in Waikoloa.
She is survived by children, David and Carolyn Waitt of Huntington Beach, Calif., Kathleen Iwamoto of Kailua-Kona, Donna and Peter Roberts of Bend, Ore., five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three hanai great-grandchildren.
Katherine Higgins
Katherine Keiko Higgins, 81, of Kailua-Kona died July 25, 2014, at her residence. Born Jan. 6, 1933, in Los Angeles, she was an administrative assistant for a geological engineering company.
Private services were held.
She is survived by husband, Max Higgins of Kailua-Kona; brother, Shig (Maya) Shiwota of Mauna Lani; three nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hannah Okimoto
Hannah Hanako Okimoto, 81, of Kailua-Kona died July 1, 2014, at her residence. Born Feb. 23, 1933, in Kainaliu, she retired as an office clerk at Kona Community Hospital and member of Kailua Shita Kumiai.
Private services were held.
She is survived by husband, James Okimoto of Kailua-Kona; sons, Perry (Linda) Okimoto of Los Angeles, Darren (Anita) Okimoto of Kailua-Kona; brother, Francis (Grace) Iwamoto of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Lily (Haru) Iguchi of Kailua-Kona, Mabel Tam of Virginia; three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Takeko Eguchi
Takeko “Ella” Eguchi, 87, of Hilo died July 10, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Pepeekeo, she was a retired secretary at Hawaii Community College and member of Taishoji Soto Mission.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts.
She is survived by daughters, Joan (Rick) Castberg of Hilo, Lois Eguchi of Anaheim Hills, Calif.; brothers, Kazuto (Mae) Okinaga of Pepeekeo, Ernest (Lucille) Okinaga of Honolulu; sisters, Sharon Abreu and Irene (Andrew) Yamakawa, both of Honolulu; one granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.