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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Harold Kawaguchi
Harold Yoshio Kawaguchi, 75, of Hilo died Nov. 28, 2016, at home. Born in Olaa, he was a retired pharmacist with Longs Drugs Stores. He was also a member of the Hilo Hooganji Mission, Duffers Golf Club and the Anela Lani Kumiai.
Friends may call from 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 7 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 5 p.m. service. The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted.
He is survived by sons, Craig (Lisa) Kawaguchi, Neal (Alina) Kealoha-Kawaguchi, all of Hilo; brothers, George (Thelma) Kawaguchi of Aiea, Oahu, Michael Kawaguchi of the Philippines, Alvin (Cynthia) Kawaguchi of Hawaii Kai, Oahu; sisters, Fusaye (Masato) Kosaka of Culver City, Calif., Margaret Sasaki of Manoa, Oahu, Miyoko (Raymond) Shishido of Kaneohe, Oahu, Sue (Manabu) Iseri of Honolulu, Agnes Fujimoto of Kaneohe, Oahu, Geraldine Tasaka of Aiea, Oahu, Carol (Carl) Halstead, Sharon Tani, all of Hilo; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Emil Beyer
Emil Keawehunahala Beyer, 59, of Volcano died Dec. 8, 2016, at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a human resources associate with Hawaii Planning Mill and a department manager with the former Liberty House.
Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Jan. 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted.
He is survived by brothers, Carl (Suzanne) Beyer of San Diego, Alika (Maxine) Beyer of Kurtistown; sisters, Catherine (Henry) Makizuru of Volcano, Jackie (Al) Montgomery of Kaneohe, Oahu; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; 11 nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Shigeo Oshiro
Shigeo “Shige” Oshiro, 88, of Hilo died Dec. 29, 2016, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hakalau, he was a retired maintenance supervisor for the County of Hawaii Department of Parks &Recreation, employed at the former Hilo Iron Works, member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Hui Okinawa, Piihonua Kumiai and an Army veteran.
Friends may call from 4–5 p.m. Jan. 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 5 p.m. memorial service. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Yoshie Oshiro of Hilo; daughter, Debbie (Gordon) Gota of Hilo; son, Lloyd (Analyn) Oshiro of Paso Robles, Calif.; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bernadette Sobrado
Bernadette Judith Sobrado, 60, of Hilo died Dec. 15, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends may call from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. memorial Mass. Inurnment to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire.
She is survived by husband, Carl Sobrado Sr. of Hilo; sons, Carl Sobrado Jr. of Hilo, Owen Sobrado of Hilo; mother, Elaine Soares of Honolulu; sisters, Brenda Powell of Colorado, Debra Galvez of Honolulu, Darlene Holt of Honolulu; brothers, Wane Soares of New Mexico, Glen Soares of Honolulu; three grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Walter Aki
Walter Aki, 82, of Kapaau died Dec. 4, 2016, at his residence. Born Jan. 29, 1934, in Keei, he was a retired groundskeeper for Waikoloa King’s Course, a former security guard, member of Sacred Hearts Church in Hawi, former member of Kohala Seniors Softball and an Army veteran.
Visitation will be at 8 a.m. Jan. 14 at Sacred Hearts Church in Hawi with a 10 a.m. Mass. Luncheon to follow. Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 1216, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755.
He is survived by wife, Patsy Aki of Kapaau; son, Wayne (Mattie) Cazimero of Kailua, Oahu; daughter, Charlynn Velasco of Kapaau; brother, Archie Aki of Hilo; sister, Margie Salis of Florida; six grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Steven Sparks
Steven Lee Sparks, 68, of Kailua-Kona died Dec. 23, 2016, at home. Born April 6, 1948, in Nevada, Mo. he was a commercial real estate appraiser, member of the board of directors at the Kona Community Hospital, a designated life member of the Appraisal Institute, Kona Farmer’s Association, and the Kona Coffee Farmers Council.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 2 at the beach at Kaloko, Honokohau. No flowers are allowed at this location. Condolences and memorials can be sent to Tari Sparks at P.O. Box 269, Holualoa, HI 96725. Memorials will be used to establish a scholarship fund at the University of Central Missouri on his behalf.
He is survived by wife, Tari Sparks of Holualoa; son, Jason (Amber) Sparks of Columbia, Mo.; two grandsons; sister, Margie (Larry) Smith of Osage Beach, Mo.; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Aleisa Lawson
Aleisa Ann Lawson, 51, of Kailua-Kona died Dec. 21, 2016, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Sept. 18, 1965, in Costa Mesa, Calif., on she was a carpenter.
Private services will be held.
She is survived by daughter, Maile Lawson of Kailua-Kona; son, Mark Lawson of Kailua-Kona; sister, Catherine (Daniel) McAfee of Portland, Ore.; brothers, David Boris of California, Kris Boris of Orange County, Calif., Stuart Boris of Montana.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.