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.
Sauron Mina-Palacio-Yamamoto
Sauron Mina-Palacio-Yamamoto, seven days old, of Hilo, died April 28, 2021, at Kapiolani Medical Center. He was born April 21, 2021.
Private services.
He is survived by father, Tavis Mina-Palacio; mother, Alexis Yamamoto; grandparents, Cassandra Gabuat, Ed Palacio and Natalie Mina; great-grandparents, Helen Yamamoto, Claudia Mina and Aurelio Mina; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Ernest Thomas
Ernest “Scrape” Kealii’akaahiki Thomas, 91, of Laupahoehoe, died April 25, 2021, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Jan. 28, 1930, in Waipio Valley, he was a retired boiler operator and supervisor for the former Hamakua Sugar Co., musician and original member of Alfred’s Dance Band, Fabian’s, and the Hamakua County Band, founding member of the Laupahoehoe Hawaiian Civic Club; bowled in several bowling leagues; was a former boxer; and a self-taught carpenter.
Private services held.
He is survived by children, Dawn (Kenneth) Rillanos of Laupahoehoe and Jeffery (Nicolle) Thomas of San Diego; three grandchildren; siblings, Samuel Thomas Sr. of Hilo, Leonard (Claire) Midallia of Papaaloa, Lyla Ann Midallia of Pepeekeo and Lorraine (Kenneth) Acdal of Paauhau; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jacob Aki Jr.
Jacob Aki Jr., 75, of Waikoloa, died May 3, 2021, in Waikoloa. Born Sept. 16, 1945, in Honolulu, he worked in the construction industry.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by spouse, Mamo; sons, Robert (Gina) Aki of Lodi, California, and Jeff (Chelsie) Kinsey of Garden Grove, California; daughters, Carol (Paul) Tsushima of Redlands, California, Susan (Jim) Sanford of Saugus, California and Malia Kinsey of Kapaau; brothers, Edward (Susie) Aki of Texas and Daniel (Fran) Aki of Kauai; sister, Sharon Lauriat of Louisville, Kentucky; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Satsue Watanabe
Satsue “Stella” Watanabe, 97, of Hilo, died April 27, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Mountain View, she was a retired seamstress and member of Taishoji Soto Mission.
Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
She is survived by sons, Wilton Watanabe and Earlton Watanabe of Hilo; daughter, Lorene Higa of Hilo; sister, Aiko Fujimoto of Hilo; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mae Okamura
Mae Michie Okamura, 87, of Hilo, died May 4, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Nov. 6, 1933, in Hilo, she was a retired pharmacy technician from Hilo Medical Center and member of Hilo Meishoin and Hilo Hospital Retirees.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by children, Rhonda (Leighton) Horiuchi and Roann (Gene Villaruel) Okamura, all of Hilo, Rheda (Craig) Okui of Mililani, Oahu, Ron (Ann Mahi) Okamura of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Ross Okamura of Honolulu; siblings, Tomoo Uyeno and Kenneth Uyeno, both of Honolulu, Hanako Yugawa and Amy Nelson, both of Hilo, Tatsue Walker of Vacaville, Calif., and Jackie (Walter) Nakano of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ryan Arakaki
Ryan Take Arakaki, 54, of Pahoa died April 25, 2021, at his residence. Born in Okinawa, Japan, he was formerly employed at Pacific Paradise Papaya Inc. in Kalapana, Hilo Termite & Pest Control and was a fisherman, played slow pitch softball for Hilo Termite, Puna Video, Chief’s Pizza, and played fast pitch for the Athletics in the AJA baseball league.
Private services will be held. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 1401, Keaau, HI 96749.
He is survived by father, Robert Arakaki of Keaau; sisters, Stacy Orpilla and Tammy Paulo, both of Pahoa, and Carleen Naeole of Aiea, Oahu; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edwin Kotaka
Edwin Kiyoshi Kotaka, 77, of Kailua-Kona, died April 23, 2021 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born June 2, 1943, in Honolulu, he was the owner of a restaurant in California and a taxi company, was an auto mechanic, member of the Kona Senior Bowling League and a U.S. Army veteran.
Friends may call at noon May 28 at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery for graveside services.
He is survived by daughter, Emily (Jeffrey) Manmano of Waipahu, Oahu; sisters, Sharon Kotaka of Honolulu, Kay (Larry) Aki of Aiea, Oahu, and Annette Takamura of Maui; two grandchildren; a niece and nephew; and several cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Perreira
Robert “Billy” Donald Perreira, 72, of Honomu, died April 6, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was the proprietor of Plantation Memories Antique Shop and a member of the Rivers of Grace Church of God.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. May 15 at Reed’s Bay for a service.
He is survived by sisters, Luana (Walter) Leite and Leilani Anderson, all of Hilo, and Bernadette (Manuel) Amar of Pepeekeo; step-daughters, Shannon Kawamoto of Las Vegas and Georgette (Jim) Young, all of Las Vegas; aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Frances Kanno
Frances Tsugiyo Kanno, 85, of Hilo, died April 26, 2021, at Pohai Malama. Born in Hilo, she was a member of the Hilo Hooganji Mission, worked for Dr. Edward Wong, the Sheraton Waikoloa, Volcano House, and retired from Suisan Co.
Private services held.
She is survived by sons, Glenn Funada and Craig (Phyllis) Funada; sister, Florence Shibata; two grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Donald Leandro Sr.
Donald R. Leandro Sr., 71, of Hilo and formerly of Waianae, Oahu, died May 3, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu in 1950, he worked for Medeiros Trucking.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Pauline Wilcox; daughter, Lisa Leandro; sons, Don (Ashlea) Leandro Jr. and Greg Leandro; brothers, Vernie (Carol) Leandro and Clifton Leandro; sisters, Donna Leandro, Terri Leandro, and Carolyn (Dennis) Leandro Alimoot; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.