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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Benjamin Barrett
Benjamin “Ben” Barrett, 62, of Mountain View, died July 13, 2021 at his resident. Born in 1957, in Gainesville, Georgia, he was a U.S. Navy veteran, member of the All Hawaii Bicentennial Company and weekly golfer at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Susan Barrett of Mountain View; son, Sam Barrett of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; daughters, Anna Barrett of Morrisville, Vermont, and Kanani Barrett of Hawi; and sister, Mary Hale of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Lydia Koko
Lydia Kanoe Koko, 83, of Pahoa, and Honolulu, died Aug. 15, 2021, in Hilo. She was born in 1938 on Maui.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Jessica Gonsalves
Jessica Gladys Gonsalves, 66, of Keaau, died Aug. 8, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 15, 1955 in Honolulu, she was a retired custodian for Keaau High School, former housekeeper for Hilo Lagoon, former custodian for Waiakeawaena Elementary School and member of New Hope – Puna and the New Hope – Hilo Hula Ministry.
Friends may call at 11 a.m. Sept. 4 at New Hope – Puna for a celebration of life. Casual attire.
She is survived by sons, Broyson (Shantavia) Gonsalves of Las Vegas and Jaewin (Harley) Gonsalves of Keaau; brother, Daniel (Diane) Santos Jr.; sister, Diana-Mae Alameda; brother, Christopher Santos, Jeffrey Santos and Bernard (Wendy) Santos; sisters, Roberta Rabauliman and Dannette (Richard) Range; 12 grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Eiko Fujino
Eiko Fujino, 88, of Paauilo, died Aug. 16, 2021, at her residence. Born in Ookala, she was a retired custodian for the former Hamakua Sugar Co., member of Paauilo Hongwanji Mission and Paauilo Camp Kumiai.
Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts).
She is survived by sons, Gordon (Annie) Fujino of Kailua-Kona, and Garret (Joyce Kagawa) Fujino of Honolulu; daughters, Glynis Yamada and Gayle (Tony) Pavao, all of Keaau; brother, Charles (Amy) Awazu of Orange County, California; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Maria Ra mos
Maria Aurora Antonio Ramos, 84, of Kapaau, died Aug. 24, 2021, at her residence. Born June 14, 1937, in Kohala, she was a retired housekeeper at the King Kamehameha Hotel and member of Sacred Heart Catholic, Hawi and St. Augustine Episcopal Church.
Private Services.
She is survived by husband, Erdulfo Ramos of Kapaau; sons, Ireneo (shirley) Ramos of Ainakea, Benny (Alicia) Ramos of Hawi and Jojo (Rhema) Ramos of Kawaihae; daughters, Cita (Jonathan) Juan of Kailua-Kona, Aleta (Rainer) Matundan of Kapaau, Imelda (Jerry) Agustin of Honolulu, Flor Bala of Waimea, Vina (Bhong) Arenas of Waikoloa, Nora (Jarry) Regpala of Kailua-Kona, Carmela (Alex) Ramos of Honolulu, and Leilani (Moki)Ramos of Kapaau; sisters, Rosalia Duldulao of Kapaau and Clara (Edguardo) Dela Cruz of Philippines; 26 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Valentine Gines Jr.
Valentine Joseph “Joey” Gines Jr. 34, of Kalopa Mauka, died Aug. 17, 2021. Born July 8, 1987, he was a heavy equipment operator and self-employed.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by Valentine Joseph Gines Sr. of Hilo; mother, Jill (James) Werner of Waimea; sons, Zaedyn Gines and Jordyn Gines of Pa’auilo, and Ghreyson Gines and Nixon Gines of Kalopa Mauka; daughter, Peyton-Jo Gines of Kalopa Mauka; life companion Daejon Aila of Kalopa Mauka; sister, Ashley Gines of Hilo; brothers, Justin Gines of Las Vegas and Jacob Werner and Jason Werner, both of Waimea; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gail Nishimura
Gail Toyoko Nishimura, 62, of Pahala, died Aug. 21, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 4, 1958, in Pahala, she was a member of the Pahala Elementary and High School Safety and Security Team and the Pahala Hongwanji.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by spouse, Ned Nishimura of Pahala; children, Marissa (Ryan) Kim of Kennewick, Washington, Chad (Jacqueline) Nishimura of Washington, and Kayla (Mark Kaili) Nishimura of Naalehu; sister, Katherine (Jon Enriques) Okamura of Pahala; and eight grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.