Obituaries: January 14, 2022

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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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Thomas Mitte

Thomas “Maka” Casson Maka’ala Mitte, 65, of Honaunau, died Dec. 12, 2021. Born Oct. 24, 1956, in Sendai, Japan, he was a retired travel and transportation escort/tour guide, driver, and operations manager.

Friends may call at 3 p.m. Feb. 5 at Oahu Mortuary in Honolulu for services. Cremation to follow. Aloha attire. A celebration of life will be held at a later date on Hawaii Island. For more information, contact Ileiana Mitte at (808)-937-9141 or email ileianamitte@gmail.com.

He is survived by wife, Ginger Lei ML Mitte; daughter, Ileiana Mitte; mother, Irene Mitte; brothers Dexter, Mark, Randel and Mandel; sisters, Dexlyn and Arlene Colon; and numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nephew.

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Joanne Tamala

Joanne Nalani Tamala, 74, of Hilo, died Nov. 20, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of Glad Tidings Church and its Women’s Ministry.

Friends may call at 10 a.m. Jan. 15 at Glad Tidings Church in Hilo for an 11 a.m. celebration of life. Casual attire.

She is survived by husband, Tad Tamala of Hilo; children, Jason Ishii and Royden (Vanessa) Ishii, all of Waimea, Mark (Paula) Ishii and Dawn Ishii, all of Hilo, and Preston Tamala of Washington; siblings, Beverly Gonsalves and Annette (Giles) Nakamoto, all of Hilo, Winona (Mike) Hooser of Waikoloa, Joel Ravey of Honolulu, and Ipo (Pancho) Carvalho of Kohala; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Michael Mukai

Michael Mukai, 63, of Hilo, died Dec. 22, 2021, at his residence. Born in Victorville, California, he was a quality analyst, member of Panaewa Kumiai, and veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Private services held.

He is survived by daughter, Ashley Danielle (Tyler) Mukai-Plasman of San Diego; mother, Sue Mukai of Hilo; sisters, Barbara (Kirby Yagi) Mukai of Lynnwood, Washington, and Anita (Won) Hyon of West Des Moines, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Sue Kiyota

Sue Itsue Kiyota, 95, of Pepeekeo, formerly of Hilo, died Jan. 6, 2022. Born March 8, 1926, in Hilo, she was the retired proprietress for the former Smiley’s Super Service and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.

Private services at a later date. Condolences may be sent to, PO Box 304, Pepeekeo, HI 96783.

She is survived by son, William Kiyota of Hilo; daughter, Laurie (Danny) Kikuchi of Pepeekeo; sister, Tamie Miyamoto of Hilo; nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Norman Yoshimoto

Norman Masuo Yoshimoto, 84, of Hilo, died Jan. 1, 2022, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born July 11, 1937, in Lodi, Calif., he was a retired U.S. Civil Service auto mechanic from the U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area and U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran.

Private services held.

He is survived by brother, Glenn (Marilyn) Yoshimoto of San Bernardino, Calif.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Dr. Liborio Namnama

Dr. Liborio Pasion Namnama, 83, of Ainaloa, died on Dec. 17, 2021. Born March 8, 1938, in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he practiced pediatric medicine at Jersey City Medical Center, New Jersey Juvenile Detention Center, and New Jersey Department of Health.

Private services.

He is survived by wife, Celerina (Sally) Esteban Namnama; daughter, Sarah (Kahilu Nihikahele) Namnama Saria; son, Melvin Namnama; siblings, Maria Namnama Batacan, Bernardo Namnama, and Juliana Namnama Duyao; and five grandchildren.

Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.

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Theresa Moylan

Theresa Elizabeth Moylan, 58, of Keaau, died Dec. 24, 2021, at her residence. Born in New York, she was a registered nurse.

Private service held.

She is survived by husband, Patrick Moylan of Keaau; sons, David, Richard, and Louis Moylan, all of Keaau; daughters, Christina (Carlos) Medina of Keaau, Maria, Louise, Roselia, and Regina Moylan of Keaau; brothers, Jimmy Russo, Johnny Russo and Joey Russo, all of New York; sister, Mary Visio of New York; and numerous cousins.

Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.