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.
Sadao Fujimoto
Sadao Fujimoto, 78, of Hilo and formerly of Ninole, died Oct. 25, 2020, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born March 20, 1942, in Ninole, he was a retired sugarcane planter and member of Honohina Hongwanji Mission.
Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts (koden) or flowers.
He is survived by brothers, Osamu Fujimoto and Tetsuo (Elizabeth) Fujimoto, all of Hilo, Takao (Lorene) Fujimoto of Honolulu, and Ken (Malia) Fujimoto of Ninole; sister, Kiyomi Nakamura of Hilo; step-sister, Donna Fujimoto of Honolulu; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Junko Nowaki
Junko Ida Nowaki, 80, of Hilo, died Oct. 21, 2020, in the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Facility in Hilo. Born Nov. 30, 1939, in Hilo, she a retired State of Hawaii Public Services Librarian at the Edward H. Mookini Library at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus and member of the Hilo Orchid Society.
Services pending.
She is survived by daughters, Roanne Nowaki, Rochelle Nowaki and Rowena Nowaki, all of Hilo; brother, Wayne (Patricia Miyata) Higa of Mountlake Terrace, Washington; sisters, Pauline Nagara of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Virginia Goldstein of Volcano; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Roy Ohata
Dr. Roy Yasushi Ohata, 91, of Waimea, died Oct. 28, 2020, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Paia, Maui, he was a retired orthodontist, longtime member of the Rotary Club of South Hilo and served in U.S. Army Dental Clinic in the Korean War.
A celebration of life will be held in 2021 in Paia, Maui. The family requests no flowers or koden (monetary offerings).
He is survived by wife, Sachie Ohata of Waimea; son, Mark (Jacquelyn) Ohata, of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Dr. Ruth (Bert Saito) Ohata of Hilo; brother, Harold Ohata of Hilo; sisters Kay Fukuda and Tomoko Ohata of Maui; nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Phobe Belanio
Phobe Leilani Belanio, 83, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 18, 2020, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Oct. 31, 1936, in Honomakau, Kohala, she was a homemaker, teacher’s aide at Holualoa Elementary School, award-winning lei maker, hula dancer at the former King Kamehameha Hotel, coffee picker and member of Kaahumanu Society, Ladies of Kona, Ohana O Na Kapaona, Na Kupuna O Kona Alii, Kealoha Na Kupuna and the musical greeters at the Kailua Pier.
Private services.
She is survived by sons, Manuel (Valerie) Belanio III and Rory (Anita) Belanio, all of Kailua-Kona, and Barret Belanio of Salt Lake City; daughters, Nanette (Robin) Oman of Waipahu, Oahu, and Suzette Belanio of Kapolei, Oahu; hanai daughters, Roxanne Draxler of Kapolei, Oahu, and Renee Ellorda of Kailua-Kona; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rogelio Penera
Rogelio “Kelly” Castillo Penera, 57 of Pahala, died Oct. 19, 2020, at his residence. Born in Philippines, he was self employed.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 16 for drive-through services at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.
He is survived by partner, Cylynn Kamei of Pahala; mother, Florentina Penera of Pahala; son, Kelso Penera of Pahala; daughters, Destiny-lyn Kamei Penera of San Jose, California, and Kelleen (Noel Sr) Dela Rosa of Keaau; brothers, Arthur Penera of Phoenix, Mario Castillo of San Juan, PH, Leo (Madeline) Penera of Kailua-Kona, and Jaime (Abigail) Penera, Judie (Jessica) Penera, Charles Penera and Erwin Penera, all of Pahala; sister, MaryLou (Jr.) Carlos of Keaau; three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Suzanne Shiroma
Suzanne Shiroma, 61, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 16, 2020, at her residence. Born in Honolulu, she worked as a school administrative services assistant at Hookena Elementary School and also worked at Holualoa Elementary School and Gold Coast Realty.
Private services.
She is survived by companion, Terence Kato of Kailua-Kona; mother, Alice Shiroma; brother, Thomas Shiroma Jr.; sisters, Valerie (Allan) Taketa and Loralei (Terrence) Go and Alison (Clifford) Sasano, all of Honolulu; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.