Obituaries: February 12, 2021

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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.

RoseMary Tavares

RoseMary “Gramma Rosie” Kuluwaimakalani Tavares, 74, of Hilo, died Dec. 21, 2020, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 25, 1946 in Lanai City, she was a PMA for the state Department of Health, a personal caregiver and a member of Malia Puka O Kalani Church.

Private services held.

She is survived by, husband, Rowland Tavares Sr.; daughters, Vinel (Aaron) Sugino and Wendi (Kunani) Simmons; son, Rowland Tavares Jr.; brother, Frank (Dayle) Santos; sisters, Martha (Walter) Ahuna, Ida (Jesus) Perez, Nellie (Ben) Fejeran, Teresa Ignacio, Bernadette (Robert) Soares, Etta NacNac, Lurline Milare and Marie Sadino; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Junji Iwasa

Junji Iwasa, 89, of Hilo, died Jan. 30, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Olaa, he was a health inspector with the state Department of Health, a member of Glad Tidings Church and was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran.

Private services held.

He is survived by daughter, Sharon (Steve) Perkins of Sunrise, FL; granddaughter, Kendra Michelle (Kyle) Keine of Lakeland, Fla.; sisters, Umeno Morita and Amy Del Toro of southern California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Gary Napoleon Sr.

Gary Aliiloa Napoleon Sr., 52, of Hilo died Feb. 1, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired lineman from Hawaii Electric Light Co.

Private services held.

He is survived by wife, Ku’ulei Napoleon; son, Gary Napoleon Jr.; daughters, Kimberly (Dean) Hess, Haily Napoleon and Violet-Ruby Napoleon; stepdaughters, Nai’a Blackford and Raven Kai; stepson, Damien Kai; sisters, Rose(Ray) Robinson and Delphine Kealoha; hanai sister, Aimee Doi; brothers, Joseph (Tammy) Kealoha, Gilbert Kealoha, Tosh (Cindy) Kealoha, and Gibson Napoleon; a grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.