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.
Kenneth Pensula
Kenneth Martin Pensula, 58, of Ocean View, died Feb. 22, 2018. Born May 3, 1960, in Seattle, he worked in information technology for computer companies.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be posted on ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by wife, Lilia; parents, Donato and Betty Pensula of Ocean View; sons, Kyle Pensula of Ocean View; Kenneth Minoza of Seattle; daughters, Kaira Pensula of Ocean View; Courtney Hines of Olympia, Wash.; brothers, Daniel (Janice) Pensula of Cle Elum Wash.; Tony Pensula of Auburn, Wash.; Joseph (Mae) Pensula of Olympia, Wash.; sisters Paula (Mike) Majerle of Big Lake, Alaska; Ann Pensula of Spencer, W.V.; and Catherine (Kenneth) Kildall of Ocean View.
Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Myron Okubo
Myron Takeji Okubo, 66, of Kohala, died Feb. 19, 2018, in Kohala. Born in Kohala, he was a retired mason foreman and member of Kohala Hongwanji Mission and Hawaii Masons Union Local 1.
Friends may call at noon March 10 at Kohala Hongwanji Mission in Kapaau for a 2 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Debra “Debbie” Okubo of Kohala; daughter, Kelli Okubo of Waimea; son, Rick (Kaimi) Okubo of Waimea; grandson, Kahoku; granddaughters, Aulii and Pomaikai; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Amy Ichinose
Amy Akiko Ichinose, 76, of Hilo died Feb. 20, 2018, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a retired office clerk for the former Mauna Loa Orchids and a member of New Hope Church.
Private services held.
Family requests no flowers and no koden.
She is survived by brothers, Gary (Alice) Ichinose of Hilo, Roy (Sandra) Ichinose of Pearl City; sisters, Jean Haraga of Kaneohe, Peggy (Conrad) Alicuben of Hilo, Janet (Mike Fontes) Ichinose of Volcano; seven nephews, three nieces, numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Daniel Uekawa
Daniel Shungi Uekawa, 93, of Hilo died Feb. 8, 2018, at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired salesman for U.S. Plywood on Oahu and Schuman Lumber in Hilo, veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, anti-tank Company, 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden.
He is survived by wife, Kay Uekawa of Hilo; daughter, Ellen (David) Tamura of Hilo; son, Lloyd (Cynthia) Uekawa of Hilo; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Betty Taketa
Betty Aiko Taketa, 88, of Hilo died Feb. 22, 2018, at her residence. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and formerly employed at the Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO).
Private services will take place at a later date.
She is survived by daughter, Carolyn (Bruce) Tabor of Ventura, Calif.; son, Edward (Stephanie) Taketa of Columbus, Ohio; brother, Ronald (Gail) Nishimura of Hilo; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fortunato Paghiligan
Mr. Fortunato Espidido Paghiligan, 79, of Hawi, died Feb. 22, 2018, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born April 17, 1938, in Marikina City, Rizal, Philippines, he was a retired kitchen steward at the Hilton Waikoloa. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi, and Kohala Senior Citizen Group.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. March 17 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi for a 10 a.m. Mass. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by his wife, Dominga Paghiligan of Hawi; daughters, Edith (Alfredo) Bulacan, Nerissa (Manuel) Angeles, Marife (Joseph) Magcuro, all of the Philippines, Susie (Madonel) Pascual of Texas, and MariaTeresa (Matias, Jr.) Pascual of Hawi; sons, Luis (Wilma) Paghiligan and Dennis (Shyala) Paghiligan, all of the Philippines; brother, Renato Bernardino of Philippines; sisters, Beng Bicomong of Italy, Neli (Federico) Del Castillo, Sophia Trinidad, and Elena Bernardino, all of the Philippines; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and hanai family the Brunos.
Mathew Malapit
Mathew “Braddah Mat” Gregorio Malapit, 65, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 9, 2018, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 13, 1953, in Kealakekua, he was a finish mason for Hawaii Precast, Inc., an entertainer for Splashers Grill and a former member of the band Kona K Blend.
A celebration of life will be held 9 a.m. March 24 at Kona Imin Center in Holualoa. Service at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow.
He is survived by wife, Andrea Malapit of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Mahea (Ekolu) Jensen of Kawaihae, Rachel Marler, Amanda Marler, Paula Wigzell all of Kailua-Kona; son, Kaleo (Jessica DeMello) Malapit of Kalaoa; brother, Magdalino (Lisa) Malapit of Kealakekua; hanai mother, Beverly Morrison of San Diego; hanai brothers, Pancho Kuanoni of Kailua-Kona, Abraham Malapit of Holualoa; seven grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Richard Green
Richard “Elisha” Carl Green, 60, of Hilo, died Jan. 7, 2018. Born on Dec 8, 1957, he was a spiritual healing counselor.
Private services held. Online condolences may be sent to ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by sons Kumba Green, Daniel Green; daughters Angel Green, Makana Green, Shila Green; brother William Green; sister Elizabeth Green; 2 grandchildren; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Marshall Balles
Marshall John Coltes Balles, 55 of Mt. View, died Feb. 19, 2018, at home. He was born March 23, 1962, in Honolulu.
Please contact Patricia for information on celebration of life. Online condolences may be sent to ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by his wife Patricia D. Balles; sons Marshall J.C. (Aulani Quon) Balles Jr. of Hilo, Jesse James D. Balles of Hilo; daughters Juanita H.M. (John Holt) Balles of Las Vegas, Taisha E. (Duwayne Tabil) Balles of Hilo, Candiace N. (Kyle Puu) Balles of Hilo; brothers Brian (Evelyn) Gonsalves of Hilo, Dennis (Elizabeth) Balles, Rudolf Balles, Michael Coltes of Hilo; Sisters Elena (Jose) Quezada, Beverly (Keahi) Balles, Lydia (Raymond) Garcia, Dana Balles; 5 grandchildren; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Ignacio Lapinig
Ignacio “Iggie” Lapinig, 90, of Hilo, died on Jan. 29, 2018 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired EMT / nurseaide for the former Hilo Hospital and a U.S. Army WWII Veteran. He was also a bowling member for the AJA North Hilo Novice, Kapuna, and various other leagues.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on March 17 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; funeral service at 10 a.m. A graveside committal service will be held at 9 a.m. on March 19 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by, daughters, Carrie (Chang) Lapinig of Hilo and Vanessa (Chris) Salomon of Hilo; sons, Neal Lapinig of Waipahu, Oahu, Dominic (Marietta) Lapinig of Hilo and Jay Lapinig of Hilo; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Anita Kealoha
Anita Leilani Kealoha Freitas, 78, of Hilo, died Feb. 22, 2018, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Mountain View, she was a retired van aide for Roberts Hawaii and a greeter for Life Care Center.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. March 16 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Robert (Sharon) Arial; daughters, Winona (Agaton Barroga Jr.) Souza-Barroga, Dawn Souza; sisters, Julia Robertson, Linda Baptiste; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.