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.
Georgia Russell
Georgia Lou (Hewitt) Russell, 87, of Honokaa died May 7, 2015, in Waimea. Born July 4, 1927, in Springfield, Colo., she was an artist and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honokaa Ward.
A graveside dedicatory prayer will be held at 9 a.m. May 19 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 with burial to follow.
She is survived by daughters, Ann Smith, Rhonda Russell and Michaela (Robert L.) Dozier; sister, Mary Jo Hallock; three grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Danita Velez
Danita Renee Nalani (Uribe) Velez, 40, of Mt. Angel, Ore., and formerly of Hilo, died Jan. 19, 2015, in Salem, Ore. Born in Hilo, she was a registered nurse at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 at the Rod Haili Tent in Panaewa for an 11 a.m. service. For more information, friends may call her mother, Norma Richardson, at 895-0052. Private scattering of her ashes will occur at a later date. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by son, David Uribe of Mt. Angel, Ore.; daughter, Sharyn Uribe of Mt. Angel, Ore.; adoptive mother, BB Walker of Mt. Angel, Ore.; adoptive father, Gordon Liborio of Mt. Angel, Ore.; mother, Norma (Joseph Jr.) Richardson of Hilo; brothers, Joey (Kristi) Richardson III and Ronald (Karyss) Richardson, both of Hilo; sister, Sharyn (Shannon) Herrington of Hilo; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Local arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles Kahoalii Jr.
Charles “Charlie Boy” Kauhane Kahoalii Jr., 78, of Kailua-Kona died April 23, 2015, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born Nov. 13, 1936, in Pahala,, he retired from Konawaena High School as head custodian, was a former tour driver for Slim Holt Tours, Jack’s Tours and Hawaiian Discovery Tours, a bowler with the Teachers League, Kona Senior Citizens and other bowling leagues and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kealakekua Ward.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. May 23 at The Kona Stake Center of The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kealakekua Ward for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Garlyn Kahoalii of Kailua-Kona; sons, Charles Kahoalii III of Hilo, Clyde Kahoalii of New York; daughters, Lillian Nero of Kauai, Cheryl Kahoalii of Honolulu, Charlyn (Miguel Malagon) Malagon-Kahoalii of Kailua-Kona; brothers, John (Clara) Kahoalii of Kurtistown, Luther (Ida) Kahoalii and Clarence Kahananui, both of Kailua-Kona, Joseph (Karen) Kahananui of Kahului, Maui, Henry (Arlene) Kahananui of Captain Cook; sisters, Virgie Shim of Pearl City, Oahu, Hattie Feltman of Arizona; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Stephen Rodrigues
Stephen Joseph Kaipo “Baby” Rodrigues, 68, of Mountain View died April 21, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired roofer.
Friends may call for a celebration of life at 10 a.m. May 23 at the Puna Covenant Church in Keaau, followed by an 11 a.m. service. Friends mayh also call at 10 a.m. June 6 at the Kualoa Regional Park in Kaneohe, Oahu, for a celebration of life followed by an 11:30 a.m. service. Scattering of ashes follows.
He is survived by companion, Minnie Roberts of Mountain View; sons, Stephen Rodrigues and Henry (Cheyenne) Roberts, both of Honolulu, Marshall Brenha of Mountain View; daughters, Stacey Rodrigues of Maui, Minnieann (Roland) Silva of Hilo, Maceyann Roberts of Mountain View; brothers, Lawrence Rodrigues, Samson (Karen) Rodrigues and Glenn (Cathy) Rodrigues, all of Oahu, Edmond (Kaylene) Rodrigues and John (Lynette) Rodrigues, both of Hilo; sister, Cyrilla Makalena of Oahu; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Jane Mitsuda
Jane Mitsuda, 90, of Honolulu died May 7, 2015, in Honolulu. Born Dec. 15, 1924, in Honaunau, she was a retired waitress at Little George’s Restaurant in Honolulu.
Friends may call at 6 p.m. May 27 at Nuuanu Memorial Park &Mortuary for a 6:30 p.m. service. Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. May 28 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Gary Mitsuda of Honolulu; daughter, Gayle Shimabukuro of Hilo; brothers, Haruo, Sueharu, both of Honolulu and Katsumi Tsuchida of Salinas, Calif.; sister, Alva Rosskoff of Honolulu; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Nuuanu Memorial Park &Mortuary.
Ann Sakai
Ann Shirley Paro Sakai, 75, of Fremont, Calif., died April 2, 2015, at Fremont, Calif. Born in Kohala, she was a homemaker.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. May 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi for a 9:30 a.m. Mass. Burial follows. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
She is survived by husband, Edwin Sakai of Fremont, Calif.; sons, Zel (Lisa) West of Waikoloa, Anthony (Penny) West of Avondale, Ariz.; daughters: Andrea (Harry) DeConte of Fremont, Calif., Bernie (Gary) Akau of Honolulu; brothers: Ernest (Doreen) Paro and Raymond Paro, both of Kohala, Benjamin Tario of Honolulu; sister: Joan Costa of Sacramento, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Chimes.
Roy Helbush
Roy Searle Helbush, 70, of Pahala died May 2, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 4, 1944, in Honolulu, he was the owner of Sea Mountain Coffee Co. in Pahala and an Air Force veteran.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by son, Tyler (Stephanie) Helbush; daughter, Liza (John) Wacker; sister, Carol Erwin; four grandchildren; one niece.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gail Mueller
Gail A. Mueller, 70, of Waimea died May 5, 2015. Born in West Bend, Wis., she was a teacher, poet, actress and entertainer.
Contact Quinn for information on ceremonies through Facebook, email or text.
She is survived by son, Quinn; mother, Milly; hanai daughter, Emily; sisters, Karen, Linda and Grace, Jenny, Wanda; brothers, Ron, Charles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Garber
David B. Garber, 72, died March 22, 2015. Born Jan. 11, 1943, in Pittsburgh, he worked in Houston for Alcoa and Exon and was a real estate agent.
Friends may call at 2 p.m. May 31 at Pahoehoe Park in Kailua-Kona for a service. Ashes will be scattered later in the day.
He is survived by wife, Connie Bates Smith; brother, James (Peggy); sons, Daniel (Janet), Patrick (Tiffany); daughter, Avery.