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.
Robert Kitchen
Robert Thomas Kitchen, 71, of Kailua-Kona, died April 23, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 8, 1948, he was also known as Robert Thomas, artist and owner of Robert Thomas Fine Art and Gifts in the Alii Gardens Marketplace and the Keauhou Shopping Center. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
Graveside service will be held at noon May 23 at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. A celebration of life will follow from 2-5 p.m. at Calvary Community Church off Lako Street in Kailua-Kona. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
He is survived by his wife, Victoria Kitchen of Kailua-Kona; sons, Michael (Mariana) Kitchen of Kailua-Kona, Robert (Katy) Kitchen of Buena Park, California and Stephen Kitchen of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Carolyn (Eraldo) Melo of Brazil, Elizabeth (Ernest) Young and Nicole (Roy) Gomes of Kailua-Kona; brother, Timothy (Lisa) Kitchen of Pacific, Washington; sisters, Colleen (Jim) Sasser of Azusa, California, Maureen Blow of Monroe, Washington, Patty (Chris) Forbes of Overland Park, Kansas and Nancy Norton of Tacoma, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Kenneth Yamasaki
Kenneth Nobuo Yamasaki 79, of Hilo, died April 18, 2019. He was born on March 13, 1940, in Olaa. He served in the Army. He worked as a Feed Well, Mauna Kea Express driver, Sure Save Grocery Store truck driver, and construction worker.
Private services held.
He is survived by his wife, Sachie Caroline Yamasaki of Hilo; sons, Calvin (Vaness) Yamasaki of San Francisco, Melvin Yamasaki of Pahoa, Ken Yamasaki of San Francisco; stepson, Kieth Alcos of Hilo; stepdaughter, Shellie Alcos of Pahoa; brother, Kazumi (Tsueko) Yamasaki of Keaau; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
Patricia Namauu
Patricia Jane Wilhelmi Namauu, 85, of Las Vegas and formerly of Hilo, died March 2, 2019 at home. Born in Portland, Ore., she was a homemaker, a member of the Keaukaha Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Red Cross volunteer.
Visitation will be held 8-10:30 a.m. May 18 at the Hilo Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., followed by burial at the Alae Cemetery. Casual attire is requested.
She is survived by daughter, Josephine (Sika) Ngata of Hilo; sons, Samuel Namauu, Jr. and Hawaii (Leenette Kealoha) Namauu of Hilo; sister, Tamara Flores-Sahagun of Las Vegas; brothers, John (Vân) Wilhelmi, William “Bill” (Teresa) Wilhelmi and Richard “Rich” (Kelly) Wilhelmi, all of Portland, Ore.; 17 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo.
Michael del Mar
Michael del Mar died March 6, 2019. Born Oct. 25, 1945, in Clarin Philippines (Bohol Island), he arrived in Hilo in 1949. He attended Kalanianaole School and was a graduate of Hilo High School, class of 1964. He served as a decorated U.S. Marine sergeant in Vietnam. He later became a professional dance instructor at the famed Arthur Murray dance studio. He received the coveted title of Grandmaster Kali Escrima and the Degree of 10th in 2003 as Grandmaster of the year, as well as the order of the Datu Lapu award from the Philippine Government, the first time given to a grandmaster outside of the Philippines. He was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame and is honored at the Martial Arts Museum in Burbank, Calif.
A celebration of life will be held noon to 3 p.m. May 18 at the Hilo Woman’s Club, located at 7 Lele Street in Hilo. Memorial Mass will take place May 21 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. Visitation at 9 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
He is survived by two sons, Christopher and Eric; brothers, Joey and Jesus Jr. (Debra); sisters, Marcel Smith (Malcolm), Pearla Olaso (Derek) and Jewel Moore; several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.