Obituaries: November 25, 2021

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

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.

Marcela Pontanilla

Marcela A. Pontanilla, 91, of Ocean View, died Oct. 12, 2021 at her residence. Born Oct. 22, 1929, in Urdanetta, Philippines, she was a housewife.

Friends may call at 9 a.m. Nov. 27 at Life Water Church in Kealakekua for a 10 a.m. service. Burial 1:45 p.m. at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. Condolences may be sent to Marilyn Tayamen at PO Box 377378, Ocean View, HI 96737.

She is survived by daughter, Marilyn (Wayne Sr.) Tayamen of Ocean View; sister, Christina Doana of Philippines; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Limoni Holika

Limoni Latu Holika, 62, of Hilo, died Nov. 17, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ha’asini, Tonga, he was a self-employed contractor and a reverend and member of the Free Church of Tonga in Paradise Park.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at Free Church of Tonga in Hawaiian Paradise Park for a celebration of life. Burial will follow at the Homelani Memorial Park in Hilo. Casual attire.

He is survived by wife, Sanilaita Sipinga of Hilo; sons, Ilati Sipinga of Oregon, Tuiono Holika of New Zealand, Sione Holika, Uikelotu Holika and Lolokakala Holika, all of Hilo; daughters, Hikaione Sipinga of Georgia, Maletina Holika of Utah, Susana Holika and Asinaulu Holika of California; brothers, Kolo (Miki) Holika of Australia, Lolo (Onita) Holika of Tonga and Halatoafa Holika of New Zealand; one granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Cindy Gonsalves-Pascual

Cindy Lehuanani Gonsalves-Pascual, 58, of Pahoa, died Oct. 12, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was an accountant/bookkeeper.

Friends may call at noon Nov. 28 at Pohoiki Beach Park for a celebration of life. Casual attire; no flowers.

She is survived by daughters, Natasha (Mathew) Gonsalves of Mountain View and Rhanna (Clement) Gonsalves-Kilia of Waianae, Oahu; mother, Karen Gonsalves of Maili, Oahu; brother, Peter (Ronnette) Gonsalves of Maui; sister, Candida (Clu) Paris of Waianae, Oahu; companion, James Cuizon of Pahoa; 19 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Don Okino

Don “Gino” Nobuo Okino, 59, of Hilo, died Aug. 25, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born April 29, 1962, in Hilo, he was a security guard at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and had also worked for the former Discovery Tours, Frito-Lay and the former Hokama’s Chevron.

Private services will be held at a later date. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.

He is survived by son, Dan (Jerilyn Gnatmug) Okino of Maui; brothers, Ryan (Norene) Okino, Glenn (Amy) Okino, Terence Okino, all of Hilo; sisters, Kay (Bob) McGinty of California, Joni (Max) Shiroma of Mountain View, and Shari (Daren) Sakoda of Hawaiian Shores; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Colette Paglinawan

Colette Leihulu “Miss Aloha” Paglinawan, 70, of Hilo died Aug. 9, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center.

Services will be announced at a later date.

She is survived by sons, Sloane Paglinawan and Adam Paglinawan; daughter, Celeste Paglinawan; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Rosita Valledor

Rosita Fuerte Valledor, 86, of Pahala, died Oct. 25, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 8, 1935, in Pahala, she was employed by the former Kau Agribusiness Co. as a macadamia nut husker operator and by Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co. as a picker.

Friends may call at 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will follow at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 at noon. Casual attire is requested.

She is survived by sons, Dean (Karen) Valledor of Hilo, Dave Valledor of Kailua, Oahu, and Eric Valledor of Pahala; daughters, Nela Valledor Fujie of Hilo and Merle (Andrew) Del Rosario of Ewa Beach, Oahu; brothers, Jaime Fuerte of California, Cebrino (Judy) Fuerte of Oregon and Prodincio (Gwen) Fuerte of Pahala; sister, Matilda Espejo of Pahala; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Danitta Montgomery

Danitta “Nitta” Ann Montgomery, 63, of Hilo, died Nov. 6, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu, HI. No services. She is survived by spouse, Jimmie Montgomery, Jr. of Hilo, HI; sister, Salina (Keane) Iranon of Volcano, HI; 4 brothers, Robert Rodrigues of Pensacola, FL, Mario Rodrigues of Keaau, HI, Maverick (Karen) Rodrigues of Keaau, HI, and Mark (Thalia) Rodrigues of Keaau, HI; sister-in-law, Darlene Lazanga of Las Vegas, NV; numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.

Kevin Gladden

Kevin “Kanoa” Kanoa’imipono Gladden, 22, of Kealia, died Nov. 13, 2021 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Sept. 25, 1999, in Kealakekua, he was a roofer for Mauna Kea Roofing.

Services will be held at a later date.

He is survived by parents, Kekai and Jamie-Lyn Kamaka Gladden; sisters, Kaitlyn Gladden and Kaliyah Gladden, all of Kealia; hanai sister, Leina (DonRay Amor) Naihe of Ocean View; paternal grandfather, Larry (Marie) Gladden of Kalapana; paternal grandmother, Selma Gladden of Kealia; maternal grandparents, John and Madeline Naihe of Ocean View, Nelson and Deena Kahele of Captain Cook; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Winona Kuhns

Winona “Noni” Jean Rodrigues Kuhns, 85, of Waikoloa, died Nov. 13, 2021, at her residence. Born Dec. 30, 1935 in Honolulu, she retired from Kona Historical Society, Tutu’s House and the hotel industry where she worked in convention sales.

Service will be held at a later date.

She is survived by daughters, Candis (Sam) Papalii of Ocean View, Kelly DeCosta of Waikoloa, and Corey (Wendell) Causey of Mountain View; brother, Richard (Lynette) Rodrigues of Honolulu; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.