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.
Rodney Abinosa
Rodney Abinosa, 67, of Pahoa, died March 22, 2018, at Hawaii Care Choices’ Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. April 7 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, corner of Orchidland Drive and the Keaau-Pahoa Road, for a 10 a.m. service. Cremated remains will be privately scattered at sea at a later date. Family requests no flowers.
He is survived by daughter, Ronnalee Jaelynn; son, Laren Ray; brothers, Alfred Abinosa and Lawrence Fausto Abinosa; sisters, Rose Marie Ernstrom and Debra Lee Wagner; companion, LaDonna Kanani Fincham; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jason Kipili’i
Jason “Jay” Likelike Kipili’i, 46, of Keaau, died Feb. 26, 2018, at home. Born in 1971, in Hilo, he was a heavy-equipment operator, truck driver, and musician.
A visitation will from 9:30-10:30 a.m. April 7 at the New Hope Church in Hilo with a celebration of life to follow at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
He is survived by his wife, Darlene Kipili’i of Keaau; son, Hanalei (Uluwehi Blaisdell) Kipili’i of Pahoa; daughter, Kalei Kipili’i’ of Keaau; hanai son, Tylan (Celia) Fely of Anchorage, Alaska; parents, Obed and Christina Kipili’i of Hilo; sister, “Bunny” (Holi) Correa of Hilo; brother, Eli (Loke) Kipili’i of Hilo; maternal grandmother, Beatrice Ritchie of Hilo; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elaine Christian
Elaine “The Dragon Lady” Christian, 66, of Hilo died March 15, 2018, at her residence. Born in Hilo, she was the retired principal at Hilo Intermediate School, former vice-principal at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School and Hilo High School, former instructor at the University of Hawaii-Hilo and English teacher at Waiakea Intermediate School and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Hilo Y’s Men &Women’s Club.
Friends may call 9-10:30 a.m. April 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10:30 a.m. memorial Mass. Casual attire.
She is survived by husband, Leo Christian of Hilo; daughter, Shawna-Lyn Christian of Reno, Nev.; brother, James “Jim” Chow of Pahoa; sister, Diane Chow of Pahoa; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Duane Breithaupt
Duane “Sonny” Anthony Breithaupt, 54 of Waiohinu, died March 21 in Ka’u. Born in Pahala, he was a journeyman welder at Royal Hawaiian Orchards in Pahala. He was also active in the community as a coach of Ka’u Pop Warner Football.
There will be an all-night vigil at 6 p.m. April 6 at the family residence in Waiohinu off Mamalahoa Highway. Friends may call from 8-10 a.m. April 7 at Kauahaao Congregational Church in Waiohinu for a 10 a.m. service. Luncheon to follow.
He is survived by his life love, Marites “Tess” Castaneda of Waiohinu; sons, Devin “Bully” (Mona) Breithaupt of Waiohinu, Derwin Breithaupt of Kona, Darrin Jr. (Sharla) Enos of Kona; daughter, Staeci (Jayck) Breithaupt of Arizona; brothers, Glen Hashimoto Sr. of Ocean View, Vince (Monica) Hashimoto of Kona, Jesse (Melanie) Navarro of Ocean View, Blaine (Cristina) Navarro of Naalehu; sisters, Velma Kekoa of Hilo, Darlene “Lingis” Hashimoto of Na’alehu, Annie (Mahi) Navarro of Ocean View, Penney (Emma) Breithaupt of Waiohinu; nine grandchildren and numerous hanai brothers, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Moruary-Hilo.
Violet Lee
Violet Len Oe Lee, 94, of Kapaau, died March 3, 2018, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Aug. 25, 1923, in Kapaau, she was a practical nurse at Kohala Hospital. She was a member of Kalahikiola Congregational Church.
Funeral services were held on March 24 at Kalahikiola Congregational Church and burial at Wainaia Cemetery.
She is survived by her brothers, Robert (Ching Sun) Lee of Volcano, and Joe Lee of Hilo; sisters, Daisy Mak Wai of Hong Kong, Nancy Van Cleave of Kurtistown, and Loretta Lee of Kapaau.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Connie Praast
Connie Rae Praast, 67 of Hilo, died March 15, 2018. She was born on Oct. 12, 1950, in California.
Private services held.
She is survived by sons, Jason Matthew Praast, Justin Bradley Praast; numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Milton Iopa
Milton Rosalo Iopa, 63, of Hilo, died March 10, 2018, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on May 15, 1954, in Hilo, he was a former hotel manager for Maui Isana in Kihei. He was also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Keaukaha Ward.
Private services were held.
He is survived by sister, Val Dean (Sergio Alonso) Castillo of Hilo; nephew; aunt; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Teruichi Kohashi
Teruichi “Coffee” Kohashi, 87, of Hilo died March 4, 2018, on Oahu. Born in Hilo, he was a retired fire captain with the Inspection Division, Hawaii County Fire Department, member of Kinoole Baptist Church, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 6, Boy Scouts of America and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Hawaii Army National Guard.
Private Services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden.
He is survived by wife, Tomie T. Kohashi of Hilo; son, Curtis (Susan) Kohashi of Hilo; daughter, Michelle (Galen) Mizuguchi of Hilo; four grandchildren and numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.