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.
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Mood Wood
Mona Lisa Wood, 76, of Waimea, died Dec. 1, 2021 at her residence. Born Dec. 13, 1944, in Wailuku, Maui, she was co-owner of Wood and Tait, an insurance adjusting and private investigation company and member of Hula Halau Waiau in the Gracious Ladies Class.
Service will be held at a later date. Friends may call at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at Eric and Jackie Sills’ home in Waimea for a celebration of life. Casual attire.
She is survived by husband, John Wood of Waimea; daughters, Cheryl-Lynn (Tony) Hampton of Las Vegas, and Jacqueline (Eric) Sills of Waimea; sisters, Mary Balmores of Oahu and Elizabeth (Clayton) Wong of Las Vegas; brothers, Larry (Perlita) Balmores and John (Patricia) Balmores of Oahu; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Len Medeiros
Len Ehukai Medeiros, 59, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 9, 2021 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born May 5, 1962, in Honolulu, he was a landscaper for Kona Tropicals.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by companion, William Bond II of Kailua-Kona; brother, Tony (Amy) Medeiros of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Luneta (Edward) Zander of Hilo, Lyla Stephens of Honolulu and Liana Medeiros of Oahu; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Tsuruyo Nakamoto
Tsuruyo Nakamoto, 91, of Hilo, died Nov. 20, 2021 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Aug. 2, 1930, in Hilo, she was a retired clerk for the former Kress Store in Hilo.
No services are planned. The family requests koden (monetary offerings) be omitted.
She is survived by daughter, Alison Wilson of Honaunau; hanai son, Dennis Kondo of Hilo; granddaughter, Lea (Nate Grocholski) Wilson of Kailua-Kona; one great-grandson; brothers, Noriaki (Fujie) Otani and James Otani, all of Hilo; and sister, Lorraine Matsu of Hilo.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Toichi Arai
Toichi Arai, age 97, of Hilo, died Nov. 24, 2021 at his residence in Hilo. Born Sept. 11, 1924, in Hilo, he was a retired postal supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Army veteran, member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Hilo Interpreters Club and active in Boy Scouts of America Troop 23 (Eagle Scout Award recipient).
Private services held.
He is survived by son, Reginald (Patricia) Arai of Hilo; daughters, Jo Ann (Alan) Koga of Waimea, Shirley (Ronald Takeya) Arai and Audrey (Thomas) Tanouye, all of Hilo and Charlene (Ashley) Oshima of Kapolei, Oahu; sister, Shimomi Araujo of Hilo; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Takashi Kobayashi
Takashi Kobayashi, age 101, of Hilo, died Nov. 21, 2021 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Facility in Hilo. Born in March 13, 1920, in Laupahoehoe, he retired as an accountant from the former Davies Hamakua Sugar Co., and was a member of the Club Wednesday Golf Club, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Akaka Falls Lions Club, served as long-time treasurer of the former Ookala Federal Credit Union and was a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster who received the Silver Beaver Award.
Private services held. The family requests flowers and koden (monetary offerings) be omitted.
He is survived by sons, Clyde (Helen) Kobayashi and Roy (Claudia) Kobayashi, all of Hilo; daughter, Merlyne Plantz of San Diego; sister, Nobuko Goto of Kaneohe, Oahu; sister-in-law, Emiko Kobayashi of Hilo; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Ricarte Naiga
Ricarte Naiga, 90, of Pahoa died Nov. 24, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Hospice Facility. Born in Kapoho, he was a retired supervisor for the Hawaii County Department of Public Works and member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for 9:30 a.m. Mass. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Family requests no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Francisca Naiga of Pahoa; sons, Sheldon (Kyoko) Naiga of Kona, ad nMichael Naiga of Honolulu; daughter, Julie Naiga of Pahoa; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildre; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.