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.
Evelyn Taylor
Evelyn “Lynn” Teller Taylor, 97, of Waimea, died Jan. 22, 2021 at her residence. Born in Henderson Texas, she was a founding principal and longtime teacher at Hawaii Preparatory Academy Elementary School in Waimea, a member of the South Kohala Baha’i community, and volunteer with the Waimea Trails and Greenways committee, who also taught ukulele and tutored students in reading.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by daughter, Jane Taylor; two grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Balga Sr.
Robert “Bobby” James Balga Sr., 77, of Mountain View, died Jan. 15, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu and was a first-class union painter.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Feb. 6 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire; no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Faye Balga of Mountain View; daughter, Downy (Curtis) Sylva of Waimea; sons, Frank (Dorothy) Balga of Pahoa, and Robert Balga Jr. and Peter (Shari) Balga, all of Mountain View; sisters, Emily (Benjamin) Pascual of Hawaii, and Rose (Mark) Gomes and Patricia (Richard) Long of Kailua, Oahu; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Faustino Gani Sr.
Faustino Gadia Gani Sr., 94, of Keaau, died Jan. 19, 2021 at Hawaii Care Choices. Born Feb. 14, 1926, in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a proprietor (papaya farmer) and he formerly worked for Puna Papaya Co., and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at the chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Burial at Homelani Memorial Park (Ilima Section).
He is survived by wife, Flordelina Gani of Keaau; sons, Alfredo (Nerrie) Gani, Villamor (Cheramy) Gani Sr. and Faustino, Jr. (Linda) Gani, all of Keaau; daughters, Dionisia Galvez, Norma Alviento, Nilda (Dominador) Galdones and Sonia (Enrico) Tejada, all of Keaau; brother, Gabat Gasalao of Philippines; sisters, Feling Gasalao and Caring Viernes, both of Philippines; 27 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; three-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gina Mahoe
Gina Lei Kaheiki Mahoe, 64, of Pahoa, died Jan. 23, 2021, at her residence. Born in Hilo, she was a former bus driver at Robert’s Hawaii and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pahoa Ward.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by husband, Charles Mahoe Jr. of Pahoa; sons, Cameron (Milisha) Mahoe of Opihihale and Crandon (Rebecca) Mahoe of Spring Lake, N.C.; daughters, Charmaine (Ernest) Ah Yee of Pahoa, Norma (Eddie) Barco of Keaau, Ardis (Chris Sr.) Eblacas of Hilo, Kera-Ann Spencer of Pahoa and Kanoelani Kekaualua of Honokaa; brothers, Francis (O’tillie) Kaheiki of Tacoma, WA, George (Kathleen) Kaheiki of Hilo and Steven Kaheiki of Hayward, CA; sisters, Rose Chu of Hayward, CA, and Bernadette Roberts and Jeraldine Spencer, both of Hilo; aunts, Lorraine Apele and Irene Apele, both of Honolulu; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harry Lui
Harry Heen Wah Lui, 96, died Jan. 16, 2021, in Waimea. Born Feb. 8, 1924 in Honolulu, he retired as a supervisor for the Fifteenth Field Maintenance at Hickam Air Force Base, was the owner of Pu’u Kapu Protea Farm, past master of the Waikiki Lodge of the Lodge Le Progres de L’Oceanie F. &A. M. in Honolulu, a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine of Honolulu, and a member of St James Episcopal Church in Waimea.
Private services. Family requests no flowers or koden (monetary contributions).
He is survived by daughters, Karen (David) Leatherman of Honolulu and Claire Makahi of Waikoloa; son, Lowell Lui of Wells, NV; brothers, Donald Lui of Honolulu and Lambert Lui of Morgan Hills, CA; sister, Vivian Stewart of Fairfield, CA; two grandsons; four great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Francis Agbigay
Francis Marion “Koa” Agbigay, 60, of Hilo, died Jan. 3, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Jan. 3, 1961, he was U.S. Army National Guard enlistee, who worked at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Youth Conservation Corp., S. Yoshina Contracting Co. and Hilo Fish Co.
Private services held.
He is survived by brothers, Bernardo (Mona) Agbigay Jr. of Fairfield, CA, Anthony (Adrienne) Agbigay of Hilo, and Lawrence (Christina) Agbigay of Volcano; sisters, Diana (Don) Anakalea Easley of The Villages, FL, Bernadette (Leslie) Nakano of Keaau, and Evelyn (Daniel) Schwarz of Kailua, Oahu; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Bruce Frenz
Bruce James Frenz, 74, of Hilo, died Jan. 14, 2021, at his residence. Born in Hilo, he was a former veterinarian with the Hilo Pet Hospital.
Private services.
He is survived by brothers, Michael (Marcy) Frenz and David (Patrice Moriyasu) Frenz, all of Hilo; nieces, Coral Frenz of Austin, Texas, and Cody (Michael) Frenz of Hilo; and two grandnephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stanford Wong
Stanford Kaala Wong, 74 of Volcano, died on Jan. 25, 2021, at Pohai Malama. Born in Honolulu, he was retired from Telephone Communication Services of Hawaii, and was a veteran.
Private services.
He is survived by his spouse Henrietta Bechert-Wong of Volcano; Scott Wong, Stewart Wong, Spencer (Amber) Wong, Robert; and four grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Sharon Hassard
Sharon Kaipolani Hassard, 64 of Hilo, died Dec. 17, 2020, at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and a member of the Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi, Malama Ka Pili Pa’a, Hilo Senior Center; and Keaau Senior Center.
No services.
She is survived by sons, Charles (Lynette) Hassard of Seattle, Shannon Hassard of Kurtistown, and Kawika Hassard and Kunia Hassard, both of Hilo; daughters, Emilia (Dayton) Quintal and Aisha Hassard, all of Mountain View and Chi-Ashley Davis of Pahoa; brother, Solomon (Anita) Davis III of Mililani, Oahu; sister, Jonnalee (Irwin) Gomez of Tacoma, Washington; hanai Daughter, Lahela Pina of Hilo; 24 grandchildren; and numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Rev. Joaquin Bilagot
Rev. Joaquin Tengedan Bilagot, 81, of Keaau, died Jan. 14, 2021. Born in the Philippines, he was a reverend.
Private services.
He is survived by wife, Aniceta Bilagot of Keaau; and daughters, Ruthie Clearwater and Hannah Bilagot, both of Keaau.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.