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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Jerry K. Yahiku Jr.
A gathering in memory will be held at noon April 26 at Kona Old Airport pavilion No. 3 for Jerry Kiyoshi Yahiku Jr., 57, of Kealakekua.
It is the policy of West Hawaii Today to correct promptly any incorrect or misleading information when it is brought to the attention of the newspaper.
Walter Kahiwa Jr.
Walter “Boy” Panila Kahiwa Jr., 66, of Captain Cook and Milolii, died March 9, 2015, at Pohai Malama. Born July 3, 1948, in Napoopoo, he was a retired educator for Kamehameha Schools and Honaunau and Konawaena Middle schools, served on the Hawaii Burial Council, the Educational Council, Kahikolu Church Restoration Committee, kahu at Hauoli Kamano Church, Boy Scouts of Hawaii Troop 59 and numerous other community organizations.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 26 at Kahikolu Church for services. Scattering of ashes follows at Milolii. Family requests casual attire be worn. Lei or loose flowers for scattering are suggested. Online condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by brothers, Arnold Kahiwa of Honolulu; Keith Kahiwa of Captain Cook; sisters, Brenda Kahiwa of Captain Cook, Belinda Kahiwa of Keaau; hanai children, Sherrie and Steven Kahiwa-Kakalia of Captain Cook; two nieces; one nephew; two grandnephews.
Henry Cordeiro Sr.
Henry Cordeiro Sr., 88, died March 7, 2015, in Las Vegas. Born April 27, 1926, in Kealakekua, he was a former employee of Kona Meat Co. and Greenwell Ranch, a coffee and macadamia nut farmer, member of the American Legion Society and Hawaii Farm Bureau, a World War II veteran and recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and Victory Medal.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. May 2 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Kealakekua for a 9:30 a.m. remembrance and 10 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at the church cemetery. Family requests casual Hawaiian attire be worn.
He is survived by children, Geraldine (Ronald) Magallanes and Pearline (Leonard) Grace-Yamada, both of Las Vegas, Cheryline (Richard) Ono and Gordon Cordeiro, both of Kealakekua, Henry Cordeiro Jr. of Kailua-Kona; hanai daughters, Theresa (Hano) Grace and Arlene (Louis Jr.) Magallanes; sister, Agnes Kailiawa; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildrn; numerous nieces, nephews and family.
Herman Kunewa
Herman “Bully” Puou Kunewa, 60, of Kona died July 27, 2014. Born Dec. 10, 1953, in Kealakekua, he was a substitute teacher for Konawaena Middle School and Konawaena High School, diploma and GED educator for Hawaii State Work Force Development, an educator for Waipahu Community School for Adults Department of Education-Kona campus, Speedi Shuttle driver, coffee farmer, freelance musician, former National Park Services park ranger, president of Kahua Naau Ao ma Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Inc., kumu hai hai for Halau o Kaleihoohie, 5th Dunn instructor for Soo Jung Lee Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Association, former member and past president for Kona Mauka Rotary and member of The National Park Conservation Association and the University of Hawaii Alumni Association.
Service information will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at c/o Marella Hakkei, P.O. Box 390728, Keauhou, HI 96739. For information, call 443-3873.
He is survived by wife, Iris Napaepae-Kunewa of Kona; sons, Hiapo (Kim) Kunewa of Canada, Puou Napaepae-Kunewa of Kona; sisters, Annette Aquino of Kailua-Kona, Marella Hakkei of Honalo; three grandchildren; four nieces; three nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Shigeko Kimura
Shigeko Kimura, 97, formerly of Mountain View died March 28, 2015. Born in Manchuria, China, she was a retired sales clerk and cashier for the former American Bakery.
Private services were held. Family request no flowers and no monetary gifts.
She is survived by brothers, Masahiro (Carol) Nishida of Hilo, Kanehiro (Helen) Nishida of Oahu; sisters, Claire Yahata, Kiyoko Nakamoto, both of Hilo, Hiroko Arisumi, Terry (Ronald) Petersen, both of Oahu, ; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Diane Baker
Diane Jean Baker, 76, of Hilo died April 11, 2015, at home. Born in Detroit, she was a retired teacher’s aide at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School in Hilo.
Private services were held. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of Hilo, 1011 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720.
She is survived by husband, Robert Baker of Hilo; sons, Richard Jas of California, Randall Jas of Alaska, James (Amber) Baker of Florida; daughter, Kim Cortez of Hilo; brother, James Belperio of Las Vegas; sister, Lois (Ed) Kelly of Michigan; five grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kikue Nishioka
Kikue “Kay” Nishioka, 91, of Hilo died March 21, 2015, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Kurtistown, she was a retired stenographer and office manager for the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, a leader and officer in the South Hilo Extension Club, a Sunday school teacher and member of the Buddhist Women’s Association at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
Private services were held.
She is survived by daughter, Joan (Edward) Tamori of Wailuku, Maui; son, Eric (Lynn) Nishioka of Hilo; brothers, Clifford Nagao of Kurtistown, Robert (Janette) Nagao of Honolulu; sister, Michiko (Richard) Hori of Kaneohe, Oahu; three grandchildren, one great-grandson, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Morris Sr.
Robert B. Morris Sr., 96, of Honolulu, formerly of Waimea, died April 14, 2015, in Honolulu. Born March 26, 1919, in Hilo, he retired as the second engineer of the maintenance department at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, installed refrigeration and air conditioning systems for Heide &Cook Co., was owner/operator at Aloha Taxi in Hilo and worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps when he was 18 years old, planting trees in Waimea and the Kohala mountains.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. April 23 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea for a 10 a.m. Mass. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome. Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Waimea County Cemetery.
He is survived by daughter, Patricia White of Honolulu; son, Robert Jr. (Kate) Morris of California; sister, Beatrice Fisher of California; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Calvin Kobayashi
Calvin Lionel Kobayashi, 53, of Pahoa died April 10, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 16, 1961, in Hilo, he was a commercial fisherman and member of Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. April 25 at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome. Cremation will follow at Dodo Mortuary.
He is survived by son, Michael Totman of Pahoa; daughters, Kayleeana Kobayashi-Toler of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pikaki Kobayashi, Leiko Kobayashi, both of Pahoa; companion, Christy Freitas of Pahoa; mother, Leilani Kobayashi of Pahoa; brothers, Darrell Kobayashi, Wesley (Barbara) Kobayashi, Brian Kobayashi, all of Pahoa, Russell (Kathleen) Kobayashi of Keaau; two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosemary Ahuna
Rosemary Ahuna, 72, of Hilo died April 9, 2015, at her residence. Born May 5, 1942, in Pueblo, Colo., she worked for the former Robert’s Bakery, Food Fair Lunch Shop, Bags Snack Shack, Naniloa Ice Cream Shop and Avis Rent A Car.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. April 23 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn. Burial will follow at noon at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
She is survived by husband, Lani Ahuna of Hilo; sons, Dwayne (Donna) Wemple of Hilo, Raymond Wemple of Alabama; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.