Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Stephanie Mahu
Stephanie Navarro Mahu, 55, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 17, 2019, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born May 31, 1963, in Kealakekua, she was a housekeeper for Wyndham Worldwide, a former daycare teacher for Ohana Keiki Daycare and Creative Day Preschool.
Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. March 16 at St. Benedict’s Church. Service begins at 10 a.m. Refreshments to follow. Family requests no flowers. Condolences to the family may be sent to P.O. Box 4455, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745.
She is survived by husband, Herman Mahu; daughter, JoAnna (Jose Garcia) Santana; son, Jostin Santana; brothers, Michael (Denise) Navarro, Joseph Navarro, Virgil Navarro all of Kailua-Kona, Patrick Navarro of Kauai, Christobal (Janine) Navarro, Jr. of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Cynthia (Sam) Pua of Oregon, Rosemarie Shields of Florida; 14 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Mark Quilausing
Mark Quilausing, 68, of Hilo, died Feb. 18, 2019, at Hawaii Care Choices formerly Hospice of Hilo. Born on Aug. 11, 1950, in Hilo; he was an electrician for the County of Hawaii.
Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
He is survived by Chad (Sharon) Quilausing of Germany, Kyle (Tia Yamanaka) Quilausing of Hilo and Dalyn Quilausing of Georgia; seven grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Wendell Kina
Wendell Tadaichi Kina, 57, of Hilo, died Feb. 16, 2019, at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. He was born in Honolulu and was a lawnmower repairman with Robert’s Lawnmower Shop. He was also a member of Hui Okinawa and a former member of the Hilo Badminton Club.
Private services held. No flowers or koden.
He is survived by his companion, Tammy Rapoza of Mountain View; daughter, Kimberlee Rapoza of Mountain View; mother, Janet T. Kina of Hilo; sisters, Allison Shiigi and Sandra (Jon) Cabanas of Hilo; two grandchildren; aunts, cousins, nieces and a nephew.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Jerry Wehrsig
Jerry Sidney Wehrsig, 69, of Hilo died Feb. 20, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pahala on March 11, 1949, he retired as a CD driver with T. Hara, shortly before retiring with Tesoro Hawaii. He coached semi-pro football, was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a member of motorcycle club Hui Makai.
A celebration of life will be held 5 p.m. March 9 at Heritage Christian Fellowship 165 E. Kawili St. #B. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Sylvia Wehrsig of Hilo, sons, Kaleo (Kamalani) Wehrsig of Kaimuki, Timothy of Hilo; stepdaughters, Kinau Gardner of Kaimuki, Pohai (Sam) Moku of Kaneohe; sisters, Shirley (Ben) Brown of Hilo, Barbara Medeiros of Hilo; brothers, Roger (Ann) Wehrsig of Kona, Walter (Susan) Wehrsig of Hilo, Armin (Cory) Wehrsig of Hilo and Frank (Kimi) Wehrsig of Hilo; grandchildren and great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Mortuary.
Richard Bell
Richard Thomas Bell, 81, of Hilo, died Feb. 13, 2019, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Bell, Calif., in January of 1938, he was active in Shakespearean drama at Chapman University, a real estate agent, had a painting and woodworking business, worked for Uncle Billy at The Kona Inn, and could be found stocking the liquor shelves at Kona KTA and Food 4 Less. His service to the country included four years in the U.S. Navy Reserves Lighter Than Air Division.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on March 8 in Kailua-Kona at the Old Airport Pavilion 1 or 2. The family requests casual attire. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by his previous wife, Sandra Bell of Sonoma, Calif.; daughter, Gini Fortier of Boulder, Colo.; son Jason Bell of Woodland, Calif.; sister, Margaret Clark of Seattle; brother, James Palmer Bell of Banning, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Solomon Kamoku
Solomon “Kolomona” Kahelemauna Kamoku, III, 40, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 8, 2019, at the Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua on August 9, 1978, he was a security officer at Kealakehe High School. He was a musical entertainer and community service supervisor.
A celebration of life will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 8 at Old Airport events pavilion. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by his father, Solomon K. Kamoku, Jr. of Kealakekua; brothers, Richard (Kacie) Kamoku of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, David (Mahea) Kuahiwinui of Sacramento, California, James (Katey) Kamoku of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Thomas (Sandra) Kamoku of Los Banos, California, Kepa (Ualani) Kamoku of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Napualani (Darren) Haalilio of Kealakekua and Noreen Kamoku of Kailua-Kona; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Lynn Faisca
Lynn Faisca, 63, of Hawi, died Nov. 26, 2018, at the North Hawaii Community Hospital. She was born in North Kohala on Jan. 26, 1955. She was a manager for the Kohala Farmer’s Market.
A celebration of life potluck will be held at 11 a.m. March 9 at Keokea Beach Park in Kapaau. The family requests casual attire.
She survived by her son, Kapono Faisca of Hawi; daughter, Sheena (Jason) Deniz of Kailua-Kona; brother, Carl McConnell of Hawi; six grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Michael Benevides
Michael Benevides Jr., 18, of Hilo, died at home, Feb. 5, 2019. Born in Hilo, he was a graduate of Hilo High 2018 and was a Special Olympics Athlete.
Celebration of life will be held noon to 4 p.m. at Onekahakaha State Park (Big Pavillion) March 9. Please bring your favorite potluck dish or something you care to share.
Survived by legal guardian Shelly Villegas; brothers, Seth Stellar, Kale Benevides, Brennan Benevides, Logan Benevides, Jordan Gutierres; sisters, Lanessa (Eddie) McClellan, Camille Stellar, Kaitlin Benevides, Jaysha Benevides, Precious Benevides, Ciara Akasaki-Gutierres; father, Michael Benevides Sr.; mother, Misty Gutierres; an aunt and uncle.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
William Andrade
William Jose Andrade, Sr., 92, of Ahualoa, died Feb. 16, 2019, at his residence. Born in Ahualoa, he was a retired fireman with the Hawaii County Fire Department, a cattle rancher and one of the founders of the Hawaii Saddle Club.
Friends may call 8–9:30 a.m. March 9 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa; memorial Mass will begin at 10. Casual attire.
Survived by wife, Frances Andrade of Ahualoa; daughters, Darilyn Vierra of San Jose, Patricia (Andrew) Andrade Stout of Ahualoa; sons, William (Suzy) Andrade, Jr. of Ahualoa, Peter Andrade of Ahualoa, Dane (Chantel) Andrade of Ahualoa; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces &nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Kama
Robert Hapukou Yoshiro Kama, 63, of Keaau, died Feb. 15, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was the retired owner of Just Right Cleaning, formerly employed at Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus in Keaau, an assistant coach for both the Hilo High School Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Team and Keaau High School Tennis Team and a member of the Mosquito Punks Senior Tennis Team.
Friends may call 4–5 p.m. March 9 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; a celebration of his life will begin at 5. Casual attire.
Survived by sons, Robert Kama, Jake (Allison Naleimaile) Kama; daughters, Carrie Kama, Jasmine (Jason Ledward) Kama; sisters, Liane (Roy) Muronaka, Darleene Pogliano; brothers, Clifford (Magin) Kama, Jeffery (Jan) Kama; companion, Sabine Nagasawa; five grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.