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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Michael Matson
Michael John Matson, 56, of Keaau, died June 15, 2017. Micahel was born on April 22, 1961, in Milwaukee.
Service to be held at 1:30 p.m. at SGI Hall on Railroad Avenue.
He is survived by his companion, Delfin Gangano; and brother, Jeff Matson.
For more details, please contact Ballard Family Mortuary — Hilo.
Wesley Chong
Wesley Kawika Chong, 63, of Honolulu, died June 15, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 27, 1953, in Honokaa, he was a former welder for Commercial Shelving, Inc.
Visitation will be at 8:30 a.m. July 8 at New Hope Waimea, with service at 10 a.m. Luncheon to follow. Condolences to the family may be sent to L.Mohika at P.O. Box 1023, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743. For information call 890-3200.
A celebration of life will also be held at 10 a.m. July 15 at Kahala Beach Park in Honolulu.
He is survived by daughter, Cheyenne (Kevin Asahara) Chong; son, Chance Chong all of Honolulu; brothers, Erick Reff of Hilo, Wayne Chong, Wendell Chong, both of Honolulu; sister, LaVerne (John) Mohika of Waimea; two grandchildren, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Benjamin Fronda
Benjamin “Ben” Kealoha Fronda, 45, of Holualoa died June 12, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Feb. 15, 1972, in Kealakekua, he was co-owner and milkman for Fronda &Son Distributors, member of Ku Kane O Ka Makani Motorcycle Club and former member of Aliis Motorcycle Club.
Visitation is at 9 a.m. July 8 at Kona Baptist Church with a 10 a.m. service, followed by a memorial run to the celebration of life at Umeke’s Restaurant. Family requests casual attire be worn. Lei are welcome.
He is survived by parents, Ernest and Sue Fronda; sisters, Oleana (Kainoa) Kiyuna, Mahealani (Walter Henerelau) Fronda, all of Holualoa; hanai son, Trenton Islaias of Honokaa; grandfather, Robert Goold of Kailua-Kona; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Warner Akamu
Warner “Jojo” Glenn Akamu, 63, of Ka‘u, died May 3, 2017 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Dec. 9, 1953, in Hilo, he was a retired heavy equipment operator, musician and a little league baseball coach.
A celebration of life will be held 10 a.m. July 23 at Waiohinu Park in Ka‘u with a 10:30 a.m. service. A luncheon will follow. Family requests casual attire be worn. For information, call 769-8699.
He is survived by companion, Julie Hernandez of Ka‘u; daughter, Monica (Rocky DeMello) Akamu of Ocean View; son, Travis (Tiana Kaauamo) Akamu of Ka‘u; stepson, Tyler Atwood of Ka‘u; sister, Sherry (Earl) Andrews of Puna; brother, Gene (Pamela) Akamu of Kailua-Kona; 10 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Thomas Eitel
Thomas “Tom” Henning Eitel, 74, of Pahoa, died Sunday, June 11, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. He was born on Aug. 27, 1942, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a retired farmer from Nevada and volunteered for numerous organizations. He also loved his family and friends.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by numerous family members and friends.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Sandra Evangelista
Sandra Kululani Evangelista, 75, of Hilo died June 18, 2017, in Mountain View. Born in Hilo, she was formerly employed at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo and Sage Courtyard Marriot in Portland, Oregon and was a homemaker.
Private services held.
She is survived by daughters, Rose Bellaver of Salt Lake City, Utah, Gail Martinelli of Makawao, Maui, Jean (George) Pang of Hawi, Joyce (Craig) Kekahuna of Mountain View, MaryJo (Roy Kunishige) Victorino of Hilo; sons, Gary Evangelista, Mark Evangelista, both of Hilo; sisters, Rachel Mahuna of Hilo, Evelyn (Joseph) Pavao of Pepeekeo, Sharon Simeona of Hilo; hanai daughters, Dawn Enos of Mountain View, Rita Simms of Waikoloa, Pauline Miyashiro of Hilo; 27 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Maria Gollestani
Maria Ann Gollestani, 69, of Kailua-Kona, died June 3, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Nov. 1, 1947, in Hartford, Conn., she was a spiritual healer and an entrepreneur.
Private service held.
She is survived by son, Ali (Kezzie) Gollestani of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Aiyana (Max) Matthews of California; sister, Patricia (Kenneth) Focht of Nevada; three grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Teruyuki Yoshida
Teruyuki “Teru” Yoshida, 89, of Hilo died June 5, 2017, at his residence. Born in Papaikou, he was a retired land surveyor for the state Department of Transportation, a member of the Papaikou Hongwanji Mission an Army veteran of the Korean War.
Private services held.
He is survived by wife, Sumie Yoshida of Hilo; sons, Alvin (Myrna) Yoshida of Las Vegas, Sheldon Yoshida of Kailua, Oahu, Thomas Yoshida of Honolulu, Clayton (Tess) Yoshida of Hilo; brothers, Akira (Margie) Yoshida, Tats (Kim) Yoshida, all of Pearl City, Oahu, George Yoshida of Waianae, Oahu; sisters, Setsuyo (Sususmu) Oshima of Kona, Sharon (Richard) Chung of Kailua, Oahu, Miyoko Yoshida of Papaikou; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.