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.
Tom Ban
Tom Takehide Ban, 88, of Hilo died May 2, 2016, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born Aug. 1, 1927, in Captain Cook, he retired as plant operator in charge of Shell Oil, was an Army veteran and member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. May 28 Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Amy Ban of Hilo; sons, Richard (June) Ban of Hilo, Michael (Jennifer Chiemi) Ban of Kahului; Maui; brother, Robert (Betsey) Ban of Captain Cook; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Bessie Nishikawa
Bessie Kikuyo Nishikawa, 84, of Henderson, Nev. died Feb. 21, 2016, in Henderson, Nev. Born in Honaunau, she was a self-employed dress designer and maker and a sewing teacher.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. May 29 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests aloha attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by sons, Alan (Lisa) Nishikawa of Pearl City, Oahu, Brian Nishikawa of Henderson, Nev.; daughter, Cyn (Peter) Fabry of Annandale, Va.; two grandchildren; sisters, Takiyo Tanaka, Tokiko Sakata, both of Kealakekua.
Arrangements by Hosoi Garden Mortuary.
Jolenta Cummings-Miral
Jolenta “Jojo” Gail Cummings-Miral, 69, died April 30, 2016, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. She was born on Feb. 24, 1947, in Honolulu. She was a retired phlebotomist for the Blood Bank of Hawaii, a member of the New Hope Papaloaa and Papaloaa Senior Citizens.
A visitation and Celebration of Life will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. June 2at the New Hope Leeward – Kapolei Campus, 480 Kamokila Blvd., Kapolei. Family requests aloha attire.
She is survived by two daughters, Tracy-Ann (Rick) Chancellor of Taos, N.M. and Kelly-Jean Miral Grahovac of Keaau; two sons, Stacy James (Cindy) Miral of Village Park, Oahu and Shanan Miral of Kawaihae; brother, Joseph (Rene) Correia of Honolulu; sister, Linda Cummings of Wainaku; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
Jerelyn Chong
Jerelyn “Shugah” Donarie Kamalani Chong, 25, of Kailua-Kona, died May 20, 2016, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Nov. 3, 1990, in Kealakekua, she was a cosmetologist and member of Jehovah’s Witnesses Kona English Congregation.
Friends may call at 11 a.m. June 4 at OTEC beach. Family requests casual attire. Info: 313-1146.
She is survived by father, Angus Chong Jr.; brothers, Angus (Tiare) Chong III, Jake Wong Jr., Jacob Duarte; sisters, Star Waiamau-Faiumu, Lala (Hua Peters) Chong, Mahealani (Manuel) Lemus, Sienna Chong, all of Kailua Kona; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Alfred Rabara Sr.
Alfred “Freddy” Hanuala Rabara Sr., 87, of Kailua-Kona died May 14, 2016, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born Feb., 12, 1929, in Waipunalei, he was a retired Hawaii Police Department sergeant and veteran of the Hawaii National Guard. He was also a member of the Haili Church Men’s Choir, was past president of Kai Opua Canoe Club, and Kona Marlins Athletic Club, coach for Konawaena High School Boys Basketball and Centrals Athletic Club, a Cub Scout leader for Central Kona Union Church, a member of the Lions Club of Kona and the Eagles Athletic Club of Hilo.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. June 4 at Helani Congregational Church in Kahaluu Mauka for a 10:30 a.m. service. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
He is survived by sons, Alfred Rabara Jr., Rollin (Tammie) Rabara, both of Kealakekua; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Robert Rita Sr.
Robert Stanley Rita Sr. of Kalaheo, Kauai, died May 9, 2016, at the age of 76 at his home in Kalaheo. Born on Nov. 24, 1939, in Koloa, Kauai, he was a retired heavy equipment operator.
Friends may visit with the family on June 4 at the Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Mass begins at 11 a.m. and a celebration of life will be followed at Darryl Kaneshiro’s Omao Ranch on Koloa Road; one mile west from Koloa Town or one mile east from the Kaumualii Highway Lawai intersection.
The family requests casual attire.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Helen Rita; and brother, Patrick Allen Rita.
Stanley is survived by his sons, Robert (Kathy) Rita Jr. of Honolulu and Michael (Kristi) Rita of Kalaheo; daughters, Corinna (Charles) Lopez of Kalaheo, and Darlene Rita of Kalaheo; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Maryann McKee of Texas; sister-in-law, Roberta Rita of Kalaheo; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Mildred Ouye
Mildred G. Ouye, 105, of Hakalau died May 5, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired school teacher at the former Hakalau Elementary and Intermediate School. She was also a member of Hilo Coast United Church of Christ and the Hawaii Education Association.
Private family services held. No monetary gifts.
She is survived sons, Keith (Amelia) Ouye of Honolulu, Francis (Kyounghui) Ouye of Hilo, Delbert Ouye of Honolulu, Oahu; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary-Hilo.
Douglas Morrison
Douglas Alexander Tadeusz Morrison, 34, of Bothell, Wash. died April 29, 2016, in Seattle. Born May 7, 1981, in New Britian, Conn., he was a computer science engineer and worked for W.M. Keck Observatory. He also co-founded Black Tower Entertainment in Seattle.
He is survived by mother, Jadwiga of Waimea; father, Douglas; sister, Elisa, of Waimea.
No services are planned. The family requests no flowers.
Albert Kami
Albert Akihiro Kami, 91, of Hilo died May 7, 2016, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Dec. 28, 1924, in Hilo, he served as in interpreter in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service in occupied Japan and retired as an assistant vice president from Bank of Hawaii.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by son, Mark Kami of Honolulu; daughter, Clarysse (Randal) Nunokawa of Hilo; brothers, Hideo (Tsuyuko) Kami, Ralph (Chiyoko) Kami, both of Hilo; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mitsue Higa
Mitsue Higa, 89, of Pepeekeo, died April 9, 2016, at the Pohai Malama Care Center in Hilo. Born in Glenwood, she was a retired cafeteria helper and member of the Honomu Hongwanji Mission.
Memorial services were held.
She was survived by her son Clifford (Kim) Higa of Pepeekeo; daughter Corinne (Ronald) Tamashiro of Hilo; brother George (Mabel) Kanno of Los Angeles; sister Yoshie Tatsuno of Papaikou; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Thomas Kema Jr.
Thomas (Bolo) Nahiwa Kema Jr., 47, of Hilo died May 14, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born April 20, 1969, in Kona he worked for Puna Certified Nursery.
Services will be held at a later date. Info: 966-8412. Condolences may be posted at ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by sister, Leeann Kobayashi (Kema) of Oahu; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Amos Santana
Amos Moses Santana, 76, of Kurtistown died May 16, 2016, at Pohai Malama. Born Sept. 1, 1939, he was a truck driver for Trojan Lumber.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by spouse, Sheila Santana of Kurtistown; daughters, Candeleira Santana of Kurtistown, Tammy Santana of Honolulu, Debra (Ian) Santana, Maria Santana of Hilo, Bernadette Santana of Waimea, Juanita Santana of California; sons, Amos (Lei) Santana of Kona, Nicholas Santana of Puna, Teodorico Santana of Honolulu; sisters, Alice Santana Mercado of Fern Acres; brothers, Johnny Santana of Oceanview, Herbert Santana, Herman (Pearl) Santanam, both of Ainaloa; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.