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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Andrew Akau Sr.
Andrew Arthur Akau Sr., 69, of Waimea, who resided in Waikoloa, died at the North Hawaii Community Hospital on Dec. 26, 2015. He was born in Puukapu, Waimea and was a retired operating engineer Local 3. He was very active over the years in the West Hawaii Little League and Pop Warner football programs, helped develop the Anuenue Park and Skateboard Park in Waimea, and was a director of the Ka Ike O Kaaina Kupuna Park. He was also a member of the Imiola Congregational Church, Kahea O Ka Ahiu Hunting Club, and the Hawaiian Civic Club.
Friends may call from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at the Imiola Congregational Church, where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., followed by urn committal in the Imiola Church Cemetery. The family requests that casual attire be worn to the services.
He is survived by companion, Sandy Tabayunda of Waikoloa; sons, Andrew (Raeann) Akau Jr. of Waimea, Walter Aniban of Waikoloa, Richard Aniban of California, Tani Tabayunda of Waikoloa, and Randy (Chanel) Tabayunda of Waikoloa; daughter, Daida Akau of Waimea; sister, Janet Stevens of Waimea; brothers, Apitai (Julie) Akau Jr. of Hilo, and Alex Akau of Waimea; 11 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Francis Frazier
Francis E. Nelson Hali’aalohanokekupuna Frazier, 101, of Kauai, died Oct. 19, 2015, at the Dullaga Care Home in Kapaa. She was born in Honolulu on July 6, 1914. She was a Hawaiian language translator of real estate titles, deeds and numerous private translations. She worked at the Hawaii State Archives translating the Native Hawaiian Register. Her translated books are Kekauhaupio, Kamehameha’s Warrior Aide, taken from Rev. Samuel Desha’s newspaper articles, and The True Story of Kaluaikoolau.
Committal will take place at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at Homelani Memorial Park.
She is survived by daughter, Stephanie Frazier of Puhi, Kauai; three granddaughters, five great-grandchildren; three nephews and numerous cousins.
Celestina Alika
Celestina “Tina” Cardines Alika, 90, of Papaaloa, died on Dec. 28, 2015, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born July 6, 1925, in Honaunau, she was a housewife and coffee picker.
Friends may call from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 21 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Kailua-Kona; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Henry (Gina) Cardines of California, Eddie (Robin) Cardines of Mountain View, Robert (Joann) Cardines of Puna, Ronnie Cardines of Kona and Gilbert (Angie) Cardines of Hilo; daughter, Tina Marie (Sidney) Salboro of Papaaloa; sisters, Della Tapiro of Hilo, Donna Drummond of Hilo, Magdalene Pucong of Kaawaloa and Agnes Kihara of Honalo; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Saturnina Velez
Saturnina “Nina” Mercado Velez, a.k.a. Da Pasteles Lady, 86, of Honokaa, died on Jan. 12, 2016, at home. She was born on Nov. 29, 1929, in Kona. She was a proprietress for Velez Farm and a member of the Puerto Rican Club.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 21 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, Hilo; Funeral Service at 7 p.m. A graveside committal service will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at Mauna Kea Memorial Park, Papaikou. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Joseph (Diva) Velez Jr. of Hilo, Dan (Gayle) Velez of California and David (Carol) Velez of Honokaa; daughters, Silvia Conn of Honokaa and Evelyn Velez of Kona; sister, Cecelia Torres of Oahu; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rose Abran
Rose Abran, 77, of Honokaa died Jan. 14, 2016. Rose was born on Oct. 14, 1937, in Haina. Funeral services will be held at Honokaa United Methodist Church on Jan. 23.
Visitation starts at 10 a.m. and service follow at 11 a.m.
She is survived by brothers, Robert (Sharon) Abran of Honokaa, Douglas Abran of Lawai, Kauai, Ronald (Valarie) Abran of Kapulena; sisters, Frances (Peter) Alpiche of Honokaa, Suzanne Tamashiro of Honokaa, Shirley Kirkwood of Fairfield, Ill., Dolores (Bill) Sharp of Spokane, Wash., Virginia (Ralph) Kaneao of Waikoloa, Attie (Randy) Millare of Captain Cook; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary- Hilo.
David Awana
Mr. David Robert Aukai Awana, 71, of Ninole, died at the Hilo Medical Center Dec. 28, 2015. He was born in Honolulu and was a retired corrections officer with the State of Hawaii Department of Public Safety. He was also a member of the Honomu Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of the Royal Order of Kamehameha.
Friends may call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Hilo Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 for graveside committal services. The family requests that casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Denise Arlene Awana of Ninole; daughter, Robyn Awana of Umatila, Wash.; sons, Makanalani Awana of Ninole, Nehemiah Awana of Ninole, and Joseph Awana of Ninole; step-sons, Kawika Foster of Ninole, Kalani Foster of Orem, Utah, Aaron Foster of Ninole, Nathan Foster of Ninole, and Andrew Foster of Orem, Utah; step daughters, Rachel (Charlie) Fisher of Hilo, Rebecca (Eric) Nieves of Salt Lake City, Katherine (Chris) Kennison of Lake Isabella, Calif., and Christina (Max) Pahio of Papaikou; brothers, Bernard Awana of North Carolina, Christopher Awana of Puna, Alvin (Lita) Awana of Oahu, and Edwin (Kathleen) Awana of California; sisters, Carol (Richard) Martinez of Alameda County, Calif., Marilyn (Larry) Palma of Las Vegas, Charlotte Beigue of Alabama and Lynette (Gregory) Childers of Las Vegas; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Benevides
David A. “Dave” “Bene” Benevides, 67, of Keaau, died at home under hospice care Dec. 26, 2015. He was born in Hilo and was a self-employed contractor for the Hawaii Tribune Herald. He also played and coached for the Boyz II Men Softball Team and also coached numerous women’s softball teams.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., followed by cremation. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by companion, Lyla Kauwe-Vogeler of Paradise Park; mother, Rose Marie (Thomas) Ciaramitaro of Antioch, Calif.; sons, Morgan (Athena) Benevides of Oahu, David (Jen) Benevides of Hawaiian Beaches, Ivan (Sonia) Kauwe of Paradise Park, Thomas (Ivana) Vogeler of Ainaloa, and Kalai (Chanda) Vogeler of Paradise Park; sister, Darla (Hugh) Lovell of Kamuela; brothers, Delbert (Shelley) Benevides of Hilo, and Desmond (Lani) Benevides of Hilo; hanai son, Ryan (Rachelle) Grace of Honokaa; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Pearl Lueftner
Pearl Yoshie (Otani Kataoka) Lueftner, 79, of Hilo, died at the Life Care Center of Hilo on Dec. 19, 2015. She was born in Hilo, and was a former owner of Pearly Jeans in Hilo and Pearly’s Exclusive in Kona and Honolulu. She was also a member of Soka Gakkai International—USA.
Friends may call at the Soka Gakkai International chapel, corner of Railroad Avenue and Makalika Street in Hilo, from 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 23, where a memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted.
She is survived by sons, Kurtis (Sharon) Kataoka of Hilo, Karl (Elizabeth) Kataoka of Hilo, and Troy Kataoka of Maui; daughter, Kathy “Missy” (Bert Macanas) Kataoka of Keaau; brother, George (Lei) Otani of Kurtistown; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo