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.
Veronica Bruno
Veronica Capillian Bruno, 85, of Kapaau, died June 9, 2021, at Kohala Hospital. Born March 20, 1936, in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was an egg processor for the Big Island Poultry Co., a planter for the Kohala Sugar Plantation, a busgirl at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and a member of the Kohala Senior Citizens group, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Kohala Filipina Club.
Services were held.
She is survived by son, Nelson (Alexandria) Bruno of Hawi; daughters, Rosemary Bumbard of Tuscola, Texas, and Susan (Brian) Matsu of Kapaau; stepson, Roger (Brenda) Jose; stepdaughters, Evelyn (Jarrett) Owens and Jean (Ronald) Murphy, all of Washington; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charleston Awai Sr.
Charleston “Charlie” Kahalaonapuana Awai Sr., 69 of Portland, Oregon, died Jan. 23, 2021, at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Born in Hilo, he was a retired mason tender laborer and founder and head coach of Wailani and Kai Malia Canoe Club.
Friends may all at 10:30 a.m. June 26 at Onekahakaha Beach Park Pavilion #1 on left hand side for celebration of life until 5 p.m. Casual attire. Ashes will be scattered at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Veronica Awai of Portland, Oregon; sons, Charleston (Davonne) Awai Jr. of Keaau, and Moses (Christie) Awai of Paauilo; daughters, Melissa (James) Palakiko of Hilo, Summer (Isaac) Apodaca-Awai of Portland, Oregon, and Devin (John) Forrester of Mountain View; brothers, William Hopeau and Douglas (Isabella) Awai of Hilo, Charles (Claudia) Awai of Waimanalo, Oahu, Wayne (Kathy) Awai of Waikoloa, and Collins (Caridad) Awai of Portland, Oregon; sister, Jenny Silva of Hilo; 19 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ruth Lee
Ruth B.K. “Girlie” Lee, 90, of Hilo, died June 5, 2021, in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, she enjoyed fishing, archery, gardening, and crafts of all types and was a member of Hawaii Island Archery Club and Kaumana Alenaio Kumiai.
Private services were held.
She is survived by sons, Brian Lee and Owen Lee; daughters, Stacy (Hiram) Pajo, Verna Bays and Ruby (Donn) Hakoda; brother, Irving Patrick Dang; sister, Sydney Yuen; six grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ronald Saito,
The Rev. Ronald Yoshikazu Saito, 92, of Hilo, died June 16, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Fukui, Japan, he was the resident minister at various Honpa Hongwanji Mission temples across the state of Hawaii.
Private services will be held at a later date. Family requests no flowers or koden.
He is survived by wife, Mitsuyo Saito of Hilo; daughter, Elna (Steve McCleister) Saito of Santa Barbara, California; sons, Bert (Ruth Ohata) Saito of Hilo, and Kurt Saito of Tokyo, Japan; sister, Keiko (Lloyd) Tubbs of Townley, Alabama; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Noel Machida
Noel Kiyoshi Machida, 69, of Pahoa, died June 4, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Hospice Facility. Born in Ookala, he was the owner and general contractor of NKM Contracting and a member of the 645 Mixed Bowling League.
Private services held.
He is survived by wife, Joycelyn Machida of Pahoa; son, Matthew Machida of Las Vegas; daughter, Keri (Brandon) Victorino of Hilo; brothers, Cal Machida of Honolulu, and Greg Kobayashi of Hilo; sisters, Sue (Wil) Murakami of Kona, and Donna (Tim Nolan) Harris of Honolulu; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.