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. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Harry Hori
Harry Toshio Hori, 89, of Waimea, died Dec. 4, 2017. Born Nov. 15, 1928, in Kohala, he served in the National Guard Reserve, and was co-owner of Honoka’a Bakery and retired owner of HT Hori Farm.
Memorial Service to be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6 at Pa’auilo Konjoji Hongwanji Mission.
He is survived by wife, Ellen Masuyo Hori of Waimea; son, Samuel (Dana) Hori; daughters, Donna (Joseph) Mah, and Ann Tamaye; brothers, Richard (Janet) Hori, Ted (Chick) Hori, and Frank (Nancy) Hori; sisters, Yayoi Sano, and Margaret Hori; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Eugene Dela Cruz Sr.
Eugene “JoJo” Douglas Dela Cruz Sr., 75, of Honomu, died Dec. 18, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born April 28, 1942, in Honomu, he was a retired electrician and U.S. Navy veteran.
Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may also call 7-9 a.m. Jan. 9 at Honomu Good Shepherd Church for a 9:30 a.m. Mass. Casual attire, flowers are welcome. Burial at noon at East Hawaii Veterans No. 2.
He is survived by wife, Doreen Dela Cruz of Honomu; daughters, Tracy Dela Cruz and Shelly Dela Cruz of Honomu, Jolyn Dela Cruz of West Virginia; son, Eugene Dela Cruz Jr. of Ninole; sisters, Carol Wain of Wahiawa, Oahu, Jan Hasegawa of Pepeekeo and Linda Kiyosuka of Wainaku; Thomas Dela Cruz of Hilo; six grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Peni Tilini
Peni Suisui Tilini Sr., 74, of Pepeekeo, died Dec. 26, 2017, at home. Born Aug. 29, 1943, in Holonga, Vava’u, Tonga, he was a retired golf course superintendent for the Mauna Lani Golf Course on the Big Island and golf courses on Molokai, Maui and Oahu, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honomu Branch.
Visitation will be held 9-10:45 a.m. Jan. 6 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honomu branch with an 11 a.m. funeral service. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery, Mormon Section. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Patricia Tilini of Pepeekeo; children, Garrett (Karie) Tilini of San Tan Valley, Ariz., Peni (Karilyn) Tilini Jr. of Hilo, Anaise (Teniosi) Livai of Pepeekeo, William (Brandi) Tilini of Hoolehua, Molokai, Paea Tilini of Hawaii and Meliame (Kaeo) Kawaa of Honolulu, Oahu; brother, Viliami (Ilafehi) Tilini of Hauula, Oahu; sisters, Kulukona (Faaui) Taumoepenu of Honolulu, Oahu and Mele Ailani Tilini of Tonga; 26 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Matthew Kamelamela Jr.
Matthew Ape Kamelamela Jr., 66, of Hilo, died Nov. 21, 2017, at Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama Facility. Born Nov. 2, 1951, in Hilo, he was a former host at Zippy’s Hilo, entertainer, and member of New Hope — Hilo and the Alu Like Kupuna Program.
Visitation will be held 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 6 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo with a 9:30 a.m. celebration of life. Lunch to follow. Casual attire.
He is survived by daughter, Matlynn (Kanoa) Kamelamela; siblings, Veronica (James) Magno, Margaret Urabe and Seth (Hauoli) Freeman; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nobuko Yoshida
Nobuko “Mary” Yoshida, 90, of Hilo, died Dec. 9, 2017, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Kealaike (Kaalaiki, Ka’u), she was a homemaker and member of Puna Hongwanji Mission and Honomu Henjoji Mission (Honomu Odaishisan).
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts.
She is survived by sons, Russell Yoshida and Ralph Yoshida of Hilo, Elton (Mike) Yoshida of Honomu; daughters, Jodi Ann (Dayton) Yoshida of Hilo, Thora (Paul) Yoshida-Asato of Puna; brother, Iwao (Kokimi) Takaki of Hilo; sisters, Ayame Nagata of Hilo, Yaeko Inoue of Kaneohe, Oahu, Toshiko Mikawa of Cerritos, Calif.; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Yuen
John Chee Jan Yuen, 94, of Hilo died Dec. 11, 2017, at his residence. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired vice president and manager at the Bank of Hawaii, founding member of the Wanderer’s Athletic Club, member of Crescent City Lions Club and a U.S. Army World War II veteran.
Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden.
He is survived by daughters, Juliette (Robert Sr.) Herodias of Honolulu; Pauline (Carlton) Fukunaga of Hilo; son, Michael (Arlene) Yuen of Honolulu; sisters, Oi Quon Mau of Honolulu, Lena (Howard) Ellis of Hilo, Laura Chock of Hilo, Betty (Norman) Jong of Honolulu, Hazel Hasegawa of Honolulu; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Clifton
George “Charlie” Charles Clifton, 63, of Pahoa died Dec. 24, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hollywood, he was the owner of the former Kapiolani Mules Inc. on Oahu and a big wave and tow-in surfer.
A celebration of his life is at 10 a.m. Jan. 6. at Pohoiki, Pahoa.
He is survived by daughters, Tatiana (Matthew Thoene) Clifton of Pahoa, Anna Tasha Clifton of Kaimuki; son, Keoki Kale Clifton of Waimanalo; fiancée, Karla Welch of Glenwood; mother, Araminta Clifton of Pahoa; sisters, Kathleen (Geoff) Cleak of Walnut Grove, Calif., Teresa (Chi) Samalee of Tacoma, Wash., Lila (Gilman) Kahai of Pahoa, Amy (Gordon) Naalehu of Pahoa; brother, Jared Clifton of Portland, Ore.; one granddaughter, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jonathan Hart
Jonathan Arend Ho’okili Hart, 35, of Honokaa died Dec. 15, 2017, at Hale Ho’ola Hamakua. Born in Hilo, he was a musician and a grip for the Hawaii Film Industry.
Friends may call 9-10 a.m. Jan. 6 at the Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea, for a 10 a.m. celebration of life. Casual attire.
He is survived by father, Harold (Pearl) Hart of Honokaa; mother, Lisa Ann (Charlie) White of Waimea; brother, Cameron (Lanelle Yamamoto) Hart of Waimea; sister, Charne’ (TJ Respicio Bulosan) Hart of Las Vegas; paternal grandmother; maternal grandmother; two nephews, numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.