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.
Daniel Keliiaa Jr.
Daniel Kekuhio Haleakala Keliiaa Jr., 56, of Kealakekua, died Jan. 12, 2021, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born March 30, 1964, in Kealakekua, he was a night supervisor at Cyanotech and a member of the Order of Kamehameha.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Shari Ihara Keliiaa of Kealakekua; son, Kanuu (Tihani) Keliiaa of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Rikki (Kyle) Alapai and Kehaulani Keliiaa all of Kailua-Kona, and Jenna (Thomas) Freeman of Maryland,; brother, Kauhi (Emma) Keliiaa of Washington; sisters, Danielle Thompson of Hookena, and Diane (Newton) Ota of Nevada; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bruce Andri
Bruce Ledyard Andri, 71 of Na’alehu, died Feb. 12, 2021 at his resident. Born in Staten Island, New York, he was an artist, and a U.S. Army veteran.
No services.
He is survived by daughter, Amber Andri of Eugene, Oregon; and brother, David Andri of Downy, California.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Alfredo Asprer Sr.
Alfredo Vergara Asprer Sr., 75, of Ocean View, died Feb. 8, 2021, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born Dec. 19, 1945, in Manila, Philippines, he was a retired laundry washer at the Orchid at Mauna Lani and the North Hawaii Community Hospital and a papaya farmer.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Margaret Asprer of Ocean View; sons, Gerald Asprer, Benedict Asprer and Alfredo Asprer Jr., all of the Philippines; brothers, Eduardo (Rose) Asprer and Rolando (Kristy) Asprer Sr., all of Las Vegas, and Serafin Asprer of Pearl View, California; sisters, Zenaida Cabonce of Tracy, California, Carmencita Smith and Cecelia (Romeo) Rivera of Las Vegas, Leticia (Laurence) Tagorda of Keaau, Eufemia (Rolando) Tabula of Orange County, California; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gilbert De Sa Jr.
Gilbert “Jiggs” De Sa Jr., 62, of Pahoa, died Feb. 2, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 5, 1958 in Hilo, he was a truck driver/bus driver.
Private services held.
He is survived by, son, Chase De Sa; son, Keean De Sa; daughter, Lexis De Sa; son, Kyden De Sa; sister, Taryn (Leslie) LeeLoy; sister, Pingo (Roland) Shimaoka; sister, Colleen (Gary) De Sa-Cruz; granddaughter, Sariah Wassman; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Crystallynn Rapoza
Crystallynn Leilani Rapoza, 30, of Keaau, died Feb. 5, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. She was born May 3, 1990, in Hilo.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by father and mother, Elroy Rapoza and Amalia Acierto of Keaau; brothers, Kyle Acierto of Hilo and Keldon Rapoza of Keaau; companion, Korri Uyehara of Kaneohe, Oahu; maternal grandmother, Estrella Acierto of Keaau; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Latai Loa,
Latai S. “Nu’u” Loa, 51, of Hilo, died Feb. 4, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Afono, American Samoa, he was a draftsmen and welder and a member of American Pool Association and Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10:30 a.m. eulogy and 11 a.m. service. Burial at Homelani Memorial Park (Lehua Section).
He is survived by wife, Malia Mattos of Hilo; son, Swin Loa-Mattos of Hilo; mother, Fatufuailelagiamauga of Glenwood; brothers, Seti Moimoi and Taloaina (Nani) Loa of Samoa, and Saofaiga (Junior) Loa of Arizona; sisters, Lugasami Amosa of Seattle, Aasone Simmons of North Carolina and Lavern Smalls of Las Vegas; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leona Bender
Leona Lucille Bender, 90, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 6, 2021, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Feb. 25, 1930, Spokane, WA, she was a salesclerk for Hilo Hattie’s in Honolulu, a party hostess and gardener.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by sons, Brent (Connie) Bender of Waimea and Reed (Susan) Bender of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Bobbie Coman of Oregon and Carol Pugh of Spokane, WA; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Willy Kahulamu
Willy Lapaela Kahulamu, 76, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 8, 2021, at his residence. Born Dec. 22, 1944, in Kahaluu Beach, he was a foreman with E.M. Rivera and Sons Construction Co. and a member of the Carpenters Union.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Gerry Kahulamu of Kailua-Kona; son, Nolen (Laura) Kahulamu of Kailua-Kona; brother, Hiram (Brenda) Rivera and Jerry Rivera, all of Holualoa; sisters, Helen (Michael) Lindsey of Holualoa and Leona Bellins of Florida; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosemarie De McKee
Rosemarie Lokelani De McKee, 76, of Honokaa, died Feb. 1, 2021, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Feb. 17, 1944, on Oahu, she was a retired nurse.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by husband, Stanley McKee of Honokaa; granddaughter/caregiver, Sherilyn Grace of Volcano; sons, Harry (Jessie) Grace of Waimea, Henry (Mylene) Grace of Honokaa and Antone Malabey of Honolulu, Oahu; daughters, Maryann (Lee O’brien) Malabey and Gracie Mahealani (Nicholas Lenchanko) Grace, all of Honolulu, Oahu, and Maryellen McKee of Colorado; brother, Charles (Ann) de Grace of Honolulu, Oahu; sister, Yvonne (Larry) Teves of Kauai.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marilyn Sakata
Marilyn Miyoko Sakata, 89, of Holualoa, died Feb. 6, 2021, at her residence. Born Nov. 23, 1931, in Kealakekua, she was a manager at Liberty House and a member of the Lions Club of Kona, Waiaha Kumiai, and New Hope Legacy Church of Kona.
Services will be held at a later date. The family requests no koden (monetary contributions).
She is survived by husband, Norman Sakata of Holualoa; sons, Clyde (Jocelyn) Sakata of Kealakekua and Blaine (Laurie) Sakata of Holualoa; daughters, Michelle Johnson of Holualoa and Janice (B.J. Nash) Sakata of Littleton, Colorado; brothers, Walter (Anne) Morinoue of Mililani, Oahu, and Hiroki (Setsuko) Morinoue of Holualoa; sisters, Doris (Frank) Bauer of Zumbro Falls, MN, and Kiyoko Nanni of Vientiane, Laos; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Karlene Jelsma
Karlene Rae Jelsma, 54, of Mountain View, died Feb. 13, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 7, 1966, in Hilo, she was a member of Arise Church in Hilo.
Services will be held Feb. 27 at Sure Foundation Puna; friends may view livestream on Facebook, “Sure Foundation Puna” or website, “surefoundation.church/media.” A public drive-through visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sure Foundation Puna, 16-1592 Pohaku Circle, in Keaau.
She is survived by husband, Samuel Jelsma of Mountain View; sons, Christopher (Shannon) Jelsma and Tyler (Chelsie) Jelsma, all of Hilo, and Cody Jelsma of Puna; daughter, Kaela Jelsma of Hilo; parents, John and Betty Beardsley of Hilo; brother, Keith (Joanie) Beardsley of Hilo; sisters, Janice (Terry) Neumann and Lisa (John) Tipsword of Oregon; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Diane Kalima
Diane Dorothy “G. G.” Kalima, 82, of Keaau, died Feb. 10, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Sept. 8, 1938, in Aurora, Illinois, she was a homemaker and member of The Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses in HPP.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by daughters, Laura (Joe Padillio) of Kailua-Kona, Leah Kalima and Reeva Kalima, both of Kea’au, and Andra Hegent of Hilo; brother, Eugene Peters of Aurora, Illinois; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four hanai grandchildren; 12 hanai great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.