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.
Thomas Matsumoto
Thomas Shinichi Matsumoto, 101, of Kailua-Kona died Aug. 17, 2015, at home. Born Jan. 8, 1914, in Kainaliu, he was an aircraft quality control lead inspector for Frontier Airlines, a Nidan black belt who represented the United States in Korea, Japan, Russia and other countries, member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and an Air Force veteran.
Friends may call at 3 p.m Sept. 20 at Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Kealakekua for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Kay Matsumoto of Kailua-Kona; son, William Matsumoto of Chicago; daughter, Judy (Randy Weber) Matsumoto of Portland, Ore.; brother, Richard (Akemi) Matsumoto of Kainaliu; sister, Sueko Nishina of Kahaluu; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jessie Mendoza
Jessie Leimomi Mendoza, 49, of Pahoa, died Aug. 29, 2015, at her residence. Born Oct. 14, 1965. in Hilo, she was a food preparation worker at various restaurants.
Freinds may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 17 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by companion, Clarence Kekaulua of Pahoa; daughter, Melanie (Henry Jr.) Silva of Pahoa; son, Jordan (Chelsey Salomon) Mendoza of Pahoa; mother, Katherine Mendoza of Arizona; brother, Reno Mendoza of Mountain View; sisters, Colleen (Rodney) Rezentes of Hilo, Jennifer Omija of Arizona, Rachel (Michael) Gouveia-Silva of Pahoa; stepmother, Nadine Austin of Mountain View; six grandchildren; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Melvin Ah Sing
Melvin Charles Ah Sing, 79, of Hilo died Aug. 26, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 23, 1936, in Hilo, he was a foreman for Hawaii County, Traffic and Safety and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and various golf clubs.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Urn burial will be at noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by wife, Audrey Ah Sing of Hilo; daughter, Mary (Jonathan) Spies of Kohala; son, Charles Ah Sing of Hilo; brothers, Ray (Geraldine) Ah Sing of Wahiawa, Oahu, Walter (Pam) Ah Sing of California; sisters, Rosemarie (Tom) Ciaramitaro, Agnes (James Carvalho) Ah Sing and Betty Lou Melanson, all of California; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
Willette Smith
Willette Smith, 80, of Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos died Sept. 7, 2015, at her home. Born May 8, 1935, in Glenville, N.C., she was a secretary for a mainland title company, live-in caregiver in Santa Barbara, Calif., and was active in the Kona Historical Society.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Honaunau for a 1:30 p.m. Mass. Burial follows at the Naalehu Community Cemetery.
She is survived by daughter, Denice (Peter) Skillman of Nevada City, Calif.; one grandson; five nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harry Martin
Harry Victor Martin, 78, of Hilo died Sept. 4, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born July 28, 1937, in Hilo, he was a supervisor for Isemoto Contracting Co., worked for Yamada &Sons Construction Co. and was a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends may call at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 8 a.m. Sept. 18 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial is at Homelani Memorial Park, Section 4. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Beatrice Martin of Hilo; daughter, Laurie (Russell Mattos) Martin of Hilo; son, Victor (Melissa Rigby) Martin of Hilo; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Albert Irvine
Albert Anthony “Toni” Irvine, 72, died Sept. 1, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a dry wall hanger and taper.
An 8 a.m. Mass will be said Sept. 18 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa. Committal follows.
He is survived by son, Robert Kozuki; brothers, Ralph Irvine, Oswald (Charla) Irvine; sisters, Mildred Morte, Kehau Kea, Juanita Kaonohi; one grandson; numerous nephews and niecess.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Cynthia Viernes
Cynthia Marie Viernes, 51, of Hilo died Aug. 27, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 24, 1964, in Honolulu, she was a homemaker, CPS worker, maid for Heavenly Cleaning, bill collector at Penncro Associates and member of the Glad Tidings Church.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. Sept. 18 at Solid Rock Pahoa Church for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests blue attire. Online condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
She is survived by husband, William Viernes of Hawaiian Beaches; son, Michael (Lee Ann) Enriquez of Pahoa; daugthers, Melissa (Sheldon Waipa) Pagtama of Hawaiian Beaches, Michelle Pagtama of Hilo; mother, Candace Tacub of Hilo; sisters, Debra Vida of Hawaiian Beaches, Susan (Nathan Shook) Yamamoto of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Ernestina (Craig Pinkney) Tacub of Hilo; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Wesley Kuhia
Wesley “Balut” John Paa Kuhia, 50, of Keaau died Aug. 6, 2015, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Wahiawa, Oahu, he was a shuttle driver for Speedy Shuttle.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Mililani Mortuary Makai Chapel for a 10:30 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Roberta Kuhia of Waianae, Oahu; mother, Violet Enosara Kuhia of Keaau; brothers, Leonard (Malia) Kuhia of Oahu, Kevin Kuhia of Keaau; sister, Sophia (Glenn) Omalza of Ewa Beach, Oahu; hanai siblings, Rufo and Grace Pajimola of Pepeekeo; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jesse Padilla-Martinez
Jesse James Padilla-Martinez, 19, of Nanawale, died Aug. 18, 2015. He was born in Hilo.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo for an 11 a.m. service.
He is survived by companion, Maria Uyetake of Nanawale, mother, Natalie Martinez of Nanawale; father, Shayne Padilla of Nanawale; grandmother, Mercedes Waipa of Nanawale; grandfather, Dennis (Cyndy) Martinez of Hilo; grandparents, Jane and Steven Markell of Hilo; son, Kaysten Padilla-Martinez of Nanawale; brothers, Levin (Misty) Padilla Pelanca of Hilo, Colby (Jerri) Padilla-Martinez, Shayne Padilla and Chanse Padilla, all of Nanawale; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Petronilo Bilog
Petronilo Alip Bilog, 99, of Naalehu died Aug. 16, 2015, at Ka‘u Hospital. Born May 16, 1916, in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a heavy equipment mechanic at Ka‘u Sugar Co. and member of Naalehu Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Naalehu Filipino Community Club and Naalehu Senior Citizen Club.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Sept. 19 at Naalehu Sacred Heart Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial is at Naalehu Community Cemetery. Family requests casual attire and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Heronica Bilog of Naalehu; daughter, Elisa (Hermen) Naboa of Naalehu; sons, Modesto (Frances) Bilog of California, Galen (Remely) Bilog of Maui; brother, Anselmo (Marcela) Bilog of Naalehu; five grandchildren; five-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lolita Dela Cruz
Lolita Mateo Dela Cruz, 78, of Halaula, Kohala, died Aug. 30, 2015, at Pali Momi Medical Center on Oahu. Born in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a retired member of the garde manger kitchen staff at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, housekeeper at the Royal Waikoloan Hotel and member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi and Kohala Senior Citizens.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at the Hawi Catholic Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughters, Agnes (Robert Wilson) Carlos of Waimea, Joan (Robert) Shropshire of Waikoloa; sons, Gregory (Yvonne) Dela Cruz and Ray (Cheryl) Dela Cruz, both of Halaula, Darren (June) Dela Cruz of Hilo; brother, Rodrigo (Helen) Mateo of Kohala; eight grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sinforoso Rivera Delos Santos
Sinforoso Rivera Delos Santos, 94, of Honokaa died Sept. 2, 2015, at home. Born in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he was a retired cane truck driver with the former Hamakua Sugar Co. and member of Honokaa Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Sept. 19 at Honokaa Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at Honokaa Catholic Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Emma Ramil Delos Santos of Honokaa; sons, Leonard (Daisy) Ramos Delos Santos of Waimea, Brian Ramil Delos Santos of Honokaa; daughter, Judy (Delvin Navarro) Ramil Delos Santos of Kailua-Kona; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Kahoalii
John Hosea Kahoalii, 77, of Keaau died Aug. 31, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ka’u, he was a retired crane operator with the former Hilo Coast Processing Co.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Kona Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in Kailua-Kona for a 10:30 a.m. service. Burial follows at Kona Memorial Park. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Clara Kahoalii of Keaau; sons, John (Daralyn) Kahoalii Jr. and Jonathan (Eileen) Kahoalii, both of Molokai, Joel (Kala) Kahoalii of Honolulu, Jerod (Shaney) Kahoalii-Antonio, Jasen (Bethany) Kahoalii-Antonio and Jerome (Candice) Kahoalii-Heath, all of Kona, John Kahoalii-Nobriga, Jamie (Shawn) Kahoalii and Kris (Jane) Medeiros, all of Hilo; daughter, Joanna (Bradley) Ford of Honolulu; hanai son, Patrick (Napua) Close of Kona; brothers, Luther (Ida) Kahoalii, Henry (Arlene) Kahananui and Clarence Kahananui, all of Kona, Joseph (Karen) Kahananui of Maui; sisters, Hattie Feltman of Arizona, Virgie Shim of Honolulu; 47 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Sakai
George Hiroshi Sakai, 90, of Hilo died Aug. 28, 2015, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born April 24, 1925, in Hilo, he was the proprietor of Aqua &Aviary Hobbyist (a.k.a “Sakai Pet Shop” and member of Taishoji Soto Mission and Komohana Kumiai.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Kiyoko Sakai of Hilo; daughter, Toni (Ronald) Sakai-Kawada of Hilo; brothers, Richard (Elizabeth) Sakai of Hilo, Noble (Fusae) Sakai of Texas; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Tomoe Sakoda
Tomoe Sakoda, 94, of Papaikou died Aug. 31, 2015, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born March 6, 1921, in Ookala, she was a homemaker and member of Hilo Hooganji Mission, Papaikou Outside Kumiai, Papaikou Senior Citizens and Nipponjin Kai.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by sons, George (Diana) Sakoda, Charles Sakoda, both of Hilo, Kenneth Sakoda of Honolulu; daughters, Judith (Alan) Kinoshita of Hilo, Nora (Daniel) Hirakawa of Honolulu; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Donnel Snyder
Donnel “Don” Ernest Snyder, 68, of Kailua-Kona died Sept. 7, 2015, at his residence. Born June 1, 1947 in Tryon, N.C., he was a manager for Paradise Brewing Co. and member of Lineriders Motorcycle Club.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at Kona Inn Restaurant.
He is survived by wife, Elizabeth Davidson-Snyder of Kailua-Kona; mother, Edith (Mort) Willis of Florida; daughter, Jodi (Kirk) Davison of Washington; six grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Doris Ito
Doris Rieko Ito, 85, of Hilo died Sept. 11, 2015, at a private care home. Born in Wailea, she was a retired seamstress and member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
Friends may call at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughters, Renee (Kevin) Kurata of Hilo, Rochell Hara of Pahala; two grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.