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Verna Branco
Verna Mae Kawai’ula aka Kupuna Branco, 81, of Hilo died May 21, 2017, at her residence. Born Aug. 29, 1935, in Hilo, she was a retired CPR district coordinator for the Hawaiian Studies Kupuna Component and held multiple positions for the department of education: Waiakeawaena Kupuna, Hawaiian Studies Cultural Mentor Coordinator, Kahua Program Kupuna leader and consultant for new teacher program. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Hale O Na Alii of Hawaii.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. May 26 for Mass. Casual attire and flowers and lei are welcomed. Entombment will follow at Homelani Memorial Park Mausoleum.
She is survived by sons, Robert (Grace) Branco Jr. of Ahualoa, Michael (Lei) Branco of Kailua-Kona, James Branco of Waiakea Uka; daughters, Verna Gale (Robert) Tavares of Captain Cook, Lola Ann McGhee (Gheeza) Branco, Anna Rose (Curtis) Azevedo, Charlotte De Reis of Waiakea Uka, Hawaii; 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; hanai sister, Vivian Araujo, Hilo.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gene Bernhardt
Gene Bernhardt, 59, of Papaaloa died April 29, 2017, at home. Born March 13, 1958, in Kingfisher, Okla., he was retired from the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. May 28 at the family residence. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations, may be made to support Wat Sa School. Donation options are PayPal (click no-fee friends and family) to TFALEE@HOTMAIL.COM or checks made out to David McAllister, Asia Sailor Westpac’rs Association, 6072 State Highway Y, Galena, MO 65656 and enter “Wat Sa School, Gene Bernhardt” in memo line.
He is survived by wife, Kyra Bernhardt; son, Jeffrey (Ali) Bernhardt; one grandson; hanai son, Eric Pauli; hanai daughter, Gwynne Pauli; father, Vernon Bernhardt; brothers, Robert Bernhardt and Larry (Donna) Bernhardt; sister, Linda Hooker.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo Branch.