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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Carmen Kawelo
Carmen Mary Maggay Kawelo, 66, of Hilo died June 11, 2016, at Pohai Malama. Born April 14, 1950, in Hilo, she was a retired paramedical assistant at the Hawaii State Hospital in Honolulu and a member of the Keola Pono No Na Kupuna Alulike Pahoa.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. July 7 at Onekahakeha Beach Park. An urn burial will take place at 2 p.m. at Homelani Memorial Park. Family requests casual attire. Condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
She is survived by sister, Aileen High Hedges of Hilo; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Crystal Mercado-Lopez
Crystal Marie Mercado-Lopez, 32, of Volcano died June 17, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 1, 1983, in Hilo, she was a cashier for the Keaau Shell gas station, was a former cafeteria worker and custodian for Keaau High School and a former custodian for Waiakea High School.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. July 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, Hilo for a 6 p.m. service. A graveside committal service will be held at 10 a.m. July 9 at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
She is survived by son, Christian-Shane Rosario-Lopez of Volcano; daughter, Kilikina Villanueva-Lopez of Volcano; mother, Christina (Lawrence Agbigay) Flores of Volcano; father, David (Donna) Mercado of Honolulu; brothers, Joseph (Miliaka) Flores of Kona, David (Taysia) Mercado of Volcano, Chavid (Margie) Mercado, Davian Joseph, both of Honolulu; sisters, Daviann Joseph of Honolulu, Candlynn Doss of Puna; nine nephews; six nieces; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Garren Ahuna
Garren Shunji Ioane Ahuna, 60, of Hilo died June 11, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born March 14, 1956, in Honokaa, she was a delivery driver for Y. Hata &Co., Limited in Hilo.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. July 9 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Cremation will follow. Casual attire is requested. Family requests no photographs or videos be taken at the service.
He is survived by sons, Jason (Jennifer) Ahuna of Mililani Mauka, Oahu, Billy (Erna) Ahuna of Makakilo, Oahu; daughters, Michelle (Eugene) Navor, Shera Marie (Steven) Kalilikane, both of Hilo; mother, Kathleen Ahuna of Killeen, Texas; sisters, Karen (Maxwell) Yasukawa of Manoa, Sharren Timm of Killeen, Texas; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Josephine Kaaukai
Josephine Malili Kaaukai, 81, of Hilo, and formerly of Pahoa died June 23, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kalapana, she was a retired nursery worker and member of the Kalapana Mauna Kea Congregational Church.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. July 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service, followed by burial at the Alae Cemetery. The family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Joshua (Marlene) Kaaukai of Hilo; daughter, Karen (Terence) Ota of Hilo; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Paula Gambol
Paula Dee Leilani Gambol, 50, of Hilo died June 8, 2016, at home. Born June 19, 1965, in Santa Monica, Calif., she was a former Bank of Hawaii (Money Processing Center) MPC Manager and a member of the New Hope Hilo.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. July 9 at New Hope Hilo for an 11 a.m. celebration of life.
She is survived by husband, Gerald Gambol Jr. of Hilo; sons, Bronson (Chelsie) Gambol, Jordan (Kawena) Gambol and Logan Gambol, all of Hilo; daughter, Anela Gambol of Hilo; six grandchildren; parents, Jean and Kenneth Takaki of Kona; brothers, Shawn Takaki, Shayn Takaki, both of Kona, Gerrit (Sabrina) Gambol of Waipahu, Oahu; sisters, Keniann Takaki of Kona, Audrey (Daniel) Gambol of Texas, Tina (Dave) Duncan of San Diego, Calif., Lianne (Damian) Gilbert of North Carolina; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Oswald Irvine
Oswald “Ozzie” K. Irvine, 78, of Pahoa died June 28, 2016, at Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama Facility. Born Nov. 8, 1937, in Honolulu, he was a retired electrical inspector for the Hawaii County Planning Department, an Air Force veteran, member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa and the Thursday Volcano Golfers.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. July 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pahoa for a 10 a.m. Mass. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Charla Irvine of Pahoa; son, Oswald (Sarah) Irvine Jr. of Corona, Calif.; daughters, Alison (Kyle) Iwamoto of Kapolei, Oahu, Susan Irvine of Pearl City, Oahu, Bonnie (Owen) Okamoto of Kailua-Kona; brother, Ralph Irvine, Sr. of Keaau; sisters, Mildred (Larry) Morte of Washington, Kehaulani Kea of Honolulu, Juanita Kaonohi of Honolulu; 12 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Jason Kim
Jason “Jay” Duwayne Kim, 46, of Kurtistown died June 12, 2016, at his home. Born Dec. 3, 1969, in Hilo, he was a former employee of Roberts Hawaii and a member of Koa Puna MC “Gz Kru” and Kurtistown Assembly of God.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to noon July 9 at Kurtistown Assembly of God for a noon celebration of life. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Andrene Kim of Kurtistown; daughters, Jadelyn Ann Kim, Amber (Josh) Menzsa, Raylene Kamakea, Rayann Kamakea, all of Kurtistown; sons, Jason Kim Jr., Kalvin Menzsa, Ray (Hauoli) Kamakea, all of Kurtistown; sisters, Francine (Rolando) Vargas Valente, Melissa (Charlie) Nerida, both of Hilo; brother, Larry (Loriann) Kim of Keaukaha; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Desmond Taketa
Desmond Y. Taketa, 85, of Hilo died June 28, 2016, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hilo, he was a retired clerk for the Real Property Tax Office, member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Halai Kumiai, Hawaii Shima Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, and an Army veteran.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. July 12 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Casual attire. No flowers.
He is survived by wife, Sue Taketa of Hilo; sons, Dale (Laura) Taketa of Honolulu, Alvin Taketa of Hilo; daughters, Charlotte Toda of Honolulu, Lynette Fukushima of Hilo; sisters, Eleanor (George) Kurata of California, Jane Taketa Rice of California; three grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joel Foster
Joel Wayne Foster, 58, of Pahoa died June 8, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Jan. 14, 1958, in Sanford, Fla., he was a self-employed contractor.
Private services will be held in Vermont. Condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by mother, Iva Gianakos of Manchester Center, Vt.; father, Thomas Foster of Lexington, S.C.; stepfather Nicholas Gianakos; sisters, Rhonda Marin, Andrea Berumen and Marci Hirshman.