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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Mary Lim
Mary Ann Neula Lim, 81, of North Kohala died March 29, 2017, at Kohala Hospital. Born March 23, 1936, in North Kohala, she was a retired cook for a hotel in North Kohala, a singer, recording artist and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kohala.
Friends may call May 19 at the Lim family residence in Kohala for an all-night vigil and celebration of life. Visitation from 5 p.m. Friends may also call for visitation from 8:30-11 a.m. May 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kohala Ward with an 11 a.m. service. Casual and aloha attire, flowers and lei are welcome. Burial will follow at Hawi County Cemetery. Then a Paina (Hawaiian feast) and celebration of her life are planned at The Hub.
She is survived by brother, Lawrence (Lisa) Neula of California; daughters, Donna (Melvin) Amina of Manoa, Oahu, Nanette (Edward) Yap of Waikoloa, Charmaine (Sam) Davis and Lorna Lim of Kohala; son, Elmer (Donna Marie) Lim Sr. of Waimea; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elvis Sheppard
Elvis Aron Sheppard, 43, of Kailua-Kona died April 29, 2017, at the Kona Community Hospital. Born July 3, 1973, in Long Beach, Calif., he was a boat captain for the Fair Wind Cruises.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. May 26 at Keauhou Bay. The family requests casual attire and loose flowers are welcome.
He is survived by wife, Jennifer A. Davis of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Keana Sue Arnold of Chico, Calif.; sister, Lisa Marie (Scott) Firestone of Dayton, Nev.; and stepmother, Linda Sheppard of Wasco, Calif.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
John Kitchen
John “Sir” Rodney Kitchen, 76, of Waimea died May 2, 2017, at his residence. Born Sept. 14, 1940, in Port Said, Egypt, he was a London Bobby, commercial fisherman, construction contractor, restaurant owner, gourmet cook and a sailor.
A celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. May 27 at Ulu Laau, The Waimea Nature Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Hawaii Hospice or the Alzheimers Association of Hawaii.
He is survived by wife, Malia Mangarin-Kitchen; sons, Jon-Paul (Kim) Mangarin all of Waimea, Rik (Lisa) Mangarin of Portland, Ore.; daughters, Shelly Barnett of Fawn Lake, Wash., Lisa Kitchen of Portland, Ore.; sister, Anne Capon of Gosport, UK; brother, Graham Kitchen of West Vancouver, Canada; five grandchildren, a great-grandson, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Theodore Gomes
Theodore “Ted” Gomes, 83, of Papa, South Kona, died March 11, 2017. Born Feb. 27, 1934, in Keopu, he was the owner of Honomalino Wood Mill, a former salesman and office manager for The Gas Co. in Kona, a spear fisherman, farmer and writer.
Private service to be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Gwendolyn Gomes of Papa, South Kona; son, Theodore (Caryn) Gomes of North Dakota; daughters, Maile Gomes Good of Oklahoma, Luana (Alika) Lincoln of Waimea, Moana (Mel) Johansen of Papa, South Kona; sister, Thomasina Fogliani of San Carlos, Calif.; brothers, Joseph Henry (Linda) Gomes of Belmont, Calif., Robert (Phoebe) Gomes of Pahala; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Kikue Iwanaka
Kikue Iwanaka, 97, of Keaau died at the Hilo Medical Center on Thursday, May 4, 2017. She was born in Onomea and was a retired manager with the former National Dollar Store and a member of the Honomu Henjoji Odaishisan Mission.
Private services were held.
She is survived by sons, Kenneth Iwanaka of Hilo and Bert (Sylvia) Iwanaka of San Jose, Calif.; sisters, Sakai (Jim) Hawley of Los Angeles, and Kazue (Bob) Kawano of Culver City, Calif.; three grandsons; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
James Sugai
James Kumazo Sugai, 94, of Keauhou died April 23, 2017, at Life Care Center of Kona. Born Feb. 14, 1923, in Keauhou, he was a macadamia nut farmer and owner of the former Kona Poi Factory. He was a cook at the former Kona Hilton Hotel and a member of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Life Water Church and a protector of agricultural lands.
Private services were held.
He is survived by sons, Wayne Sugai of Keauhou, Ken (Dale) Sugai of Napoopoo; brother, Fusao (Hilda) Sugai of Keauhou; sisters, Misao Yonemori of Hilo, and Yaeko Oda of Gardena, Calif.; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.