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.
Stephen Johnson
Stephen “Steve” Theodore Johnson, 75, of Kailua-Kona, died May 5, 2019, at his residence. Born June 20, 1943, in Portland, Ore., he was a retired battalion chief for the Portland Fire Bureau and a forest service smoke jumper, para-rescue and recovery for the 304th Air Force Reserves.
Service information to be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent to the Portland Fire &Rescue Toy and Joy Makers, 5916 NE Going St, Portland, OR 97218 or to the Kona Salvation Army, 74-5555 Kaiwi St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
Survived by wife, Kathleen Johnson of Kailua-Kona; son, Brett (Alice) Johnson; daughter, Marlow (Jeff) Vass; stepson, Clint (Katrin) Arp all of Oregon; sisters, Nancy Jacobson of Washington, Janet Johnson of Oregon; five grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
John Leong
John Shinyee Leong, 83, of Kailua-Kona, died April 26, 2019, at his residence. Born in Hoiping, Canton, China on Dec. 5, 1935, he was the owner of JL Taxi Service and numerous taxi companies. He was the former manager of the Pacific Rim Restaurant and was an assistant manager with the former Grayline Tour Bus Company.
Private services were held.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Leong of Kailua-Kona; sons, John (Paula) Leong, Jr. of Kainaliu, John Leong, III of Las Vegas; daughter, Su-Ling (Thaddeus) Ynigues of Las Vegas; numerous grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Solomon Kapeliela Jr.
Solomon “Uncle Junior” Kaanaana Kapeliela Jr. of Kaneohe, died April 21, 2019, in Hilo. Born on Oahu in 1940, he was a retired heavy equipment truck driver for the City and County of Honolulu.
Private services were held.
He is survived by his daughter, Stormy Kapeliela of Hilo; two sons, Braze Kapeliela of Honolulu and Mark Kapeliela of Kihei; a sister, Emily McRae Kapeliela of Oregon; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Alberto Agbigay
Alberto Aglupos Agbigay, 72, of Hilo, died April 15, 2019, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born July 12, 1946, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines; he was a retired maintenance worker for the Hualalai Resort in Kona and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends may call on May 16 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Visitation from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; wake service at 7 p.m.
Friends may call on May 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo, visitation 8-10 a.m.; celebration of Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire; burial at Alae Cemetery (New Section).
Survived by wife, Adela Agbigay of Hilo; daughter, Debe (Higino) Agbigay of Hilo; son, Glen (Lorna) Agbigay of London; sisters, Ernesta Dela Cruz, Ofelia (Winston) Solmerin, Edita (Candylario) Castro and Emelyn (Dairyll) Ilar of Hilo, Amelia (Nestor) Baclig of Los Angeles; brothers, Erlindo (Leonora) Agbigay of Hilo and Wenceslao (Mildred) Agbigay of Honolulu; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rafaela de Jesus
Rafaela Raneses de Jesus, 81, of Hilo, died May 4, 2019, in Hawaii. Born in the Philippines; she was a caregiver and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Services held. She is survived by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings from the United States of America, Philippines and other countries.
Kenichi Kunimitsu
Kenichi Kunimitsu, 89, of Hilo died May 2, 2019, at home. Born on Oahu, he was a retired crop control supervisor for the former Mauna Kea Sugar Company and Waialua Sugar Company on Oahu, former Deacon at the First United Protestant Church, member of the Orchid Island Dance Club, Kolekole Softball Team and a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Private services will be held at a later date. Family requests no flowers and no koden.
Survived by daughter, Becky (Robin) Kow of Hilo; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.