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.
Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Joseph Lactaoen Jr.
Joseph Robert Lactaoen Jr., 74, of Volcano died April 18, 2015, at Straub Clinic and Hospital on Oahu. Born in Hawaii, he was a retired architect.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. May 4 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Cremation follow. Family requests casual attire ve worn and no flowers.
He is survived by companion, Georgia Ramos of Volcano; sons, Robert (Mary) Keliikoa of Washington state, Leslie (Renee) Lactaoen of Honokaa, Jay (Kawehi) Lactaoen of Waimea, Guy (Diane) Keliikoa of Aiea, Oahu, Lee Keliikoa of Waikoloa, Joe (Jenn) Lactaoen of Alaska, Jacob (Francine) Lactaoen of Kawaihae; daughters, Jeneal (Alisha) Lactaoen of Waimea, Maria Benali of Arizona, Robin (Robert) Lopez of New Mexico; brothers, David Lee of Mililani, Oahu, Gus Lactaoen of Hawaii Kai, Oahu; sisters, Carmen Lanegan, Celeste O’Brien and Fran Higgins, all of Oregon; 28 grandchildren;19 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Noel Wright
Noel “Nick” B. Wright, 82, of Kailua-Kona died April 13, 2015, at Tripler Medical Center. Born Jan. 28, 1933, in Nashville, Tenn., he was a tool and dye maker for Dana Corp., a Korean War Air Force veteran and member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 in Kailua-Kona and a grateful and longtime friend of “Bill W”.
Friends may call at 11:30 a.m. May 5 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona for a memorial service. A celebration of his life and potluck will follow at Old Kona Airport Park’s small pavilion. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Wright of Kailua-Kona; son, Roy (Alina) Wright of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; hanai sons, Michael (Kim) Schlievert of Orlando, Fla., Anthony Schlievert of Studio City, Calif.; daughter, Kendra Padelski of Orlando, Fla.; brother, Samuel Wright of Pioneer, Ohio; sisters, Joyce Douglas and Joanne (Tim) Coakley, both of Toledo; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Moanalua Mortuary.
Clara Shin
Clara Penny Shin, 88, of Hilo died April 27 , 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. May 6 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10:30 a.m. service. Cremation will follow. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Jeff Shin of Hilo; daughter, Hope (Don) Koshiro of Hilo; brothers, Adam Miprano, Pio (Marlene) Miprano Jr., both of Hilo; sister, Gloria DeJesus of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Blace Figueroa
Blace Figueroa, 59, of Captain Cook died April 17, 2015, at Kona Community Hospital. Born July 17, 1955, in Kohala, she was a parking attendant at Kona International Airport, cashier at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa and member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. May 8 at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa for a 10 a.m. graveside service and urn burial. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
She is survived by mother, Rosaria Figueroa of Captain Cook; brothers, David Figueroa Jr. of Sacramento, Calif., Gilbert (Colleen) Figueroa of Vancouver, Wash.; sisters, Lucille Kauhaihao of Ocean View, Lori (Reggie) Marcello and Gloria Figueroa, both of Kailua-Kona, Emelia (Robert) Fernandez of Kohala; numerous niece, nephews and cousins.
Arrangement by Dodo Mortuary.
Les Iwashita
Les Kenji Iwashita, 58, of Hilo died March 9, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 6, 1957, in Kealakekua, he was a draftsman for Imata and Associates.
Private services were held.
He is survived by brother, Kent (Jenny) Iwashita of Kealakekua; sisters, Sharon (Alan) Taniyama of Holualoa, Carol Iwashita of Kealakekua; one niece; two nephews; numerous grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Don Kawamoto
Don Kawamoto, 61, of Kailua-Kona and formerly of Chicago died April 17, 2015, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 24, 1954, in Chicago, he was a supervisor for Transportation Security Administration at Kona International Airport and former TSA supervisor at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Private services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by sisters, Lynne (Thomas Epach) Kawamoto of Shenandoah, Texas, Lori Kawamoto of Chicago; one nephew; one niece; numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Wanda Orenick
Wanda Marie Orenick, 92, of Kailua-Kona died March 22, 2015, at her residence. Born July 31, 1922 in Scranton, Pa., she was a homemaker and member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Roselle, N.J.
Private services were held. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Kona, P.O. Box 4130, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745.
She is survived by daughter, Anne Marie (Gary) Childers of Kailua-Kona; son, John (Aya) Orenick of Las Vegas; one granddaughter; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephew.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.