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.
Estrelita Solmerin
Estrelita Barao Solmerin, 66, of Hilo, died Dec. 17, 2018, at Hilo Medical Center. Born on May 27, 1952, in Banna Ilocos Norte, Philippines; she was a factory worker for a macadamia nut company and she also was a member of the First United Protestant Church in Hilo, Hawaii.
Friends may call on Jan. 11 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for visitation from 5-6 p.m.; service at 6 p.m. Friends may call on Jan. 12 at the First United Protestant Church in Hilo for visitation from 8-10 a.m.; funeral service at 10 a.m. Casual attire and flowers are welcomed; burial at Alae Cemetery (new section).
She is survived by husband, Samuel Ramos Solmerin of Hilo; sons, Richard (Mary Jane) Solmerin of Hilo and Ruel (Heath Rude) Solmerin of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren; brothers, Artemio Barao, Quezon Barao and Eddie Barao of the Philippines; sister, Clarita Ragus of the Philippines; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fujie Chikuami
Fujie Chikuami, 99, of Hilo, died Dec. 8 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Olaa, she was the retired co-owner of the former Tiny Town, homemaker and a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and its Buddhist Women’s Association.
Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts).
She was preceded in death by son, Allan Chikuami. Survived by son, Roger Chikuami of Arcadia, California; daughter, Karen (Dale Tangeman) Chikuami of Issaquah, Washington; a daughter-in-law; brother, Eiji (Sadame) Sato of Woodland Hills, California; sister, Eiko Hokama of Hilo; three grandchildren; numerous nieces &nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Matthew Manewa
Matthew “Bradda Matt” Kulani Manewa, 75, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died Dec. 5, 2018, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born in Honolulu on March 17, 1943, he was a musician. He was a member of the Aloha Aina musical group and also entertained with many other hula and dance troupes. He was a truck driver and a security officer for Hawaii Protective Association.
Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Old A events pavilion in Kailua-Kona. Celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy Manewa of Kailua-Kona; son, Isaac Manewa of the mainland; stepsons, Jesse Akina of Hilo and Carl Akina of Alaska; brother, Eddie (Maile) Keaunui of Ewa Beach, Oahu; sister, Sweetheart Manewa of Oahu; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Lawrence Nakamura
Lawrence Masaichi Nakamura, 73, of Hilo, died Dec. 13, 2018, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 14, 1945, in Hilo, he was a retired building maintenance technician for the state Airports Division and Hawaii Naniloa Hotel, U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran and member of Hilo Hooganji Mission, Hilo AJA Bowling Club and Piihonua Kumiai.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. Jan. 5 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Jane Wakimoto; children, Keri (Tracy) Taoka Nakamura, Lorene (Baron Graham) Oshiro, Aaron (Chelsey Stewart) Nakamura, Mark (Faren Sue) Nakamura; siblings, Ronald (Ruth) Nakamura, Carol (Byron) Toma, Gail (Leslie) Kumiji, Diane (Raymond) Kawamoto, Joanne Nagamine; three grandsons, 13 nieces &nephews, 15 great-nieces &great-nephews and one great-great nephew.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.