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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Sumie Takeguchi
Sumie Takeguchi, 101, of Keaau died Feb. 19, 2022. She was part of the first class to graduate from Honokaa High School.
Friends may call at 10:30 a.m. April 9 at Ballard Family Mortuary, Hilo, for a service.
She is survived by sons, Clyde (Alicia) Takeguchi of Bethesda, Maryland, Earl (Kim) Takeguchi of Springfield, Virginia, and Steven (Gwen) Takeguchi of Aiea, Oahu; daughter, Faith (Kenneth) Yamauchi of Mililani, Oahu; brother, James (Lily) Sugahara of Los Angeles; sister, Reiko Sugahara of Los Angeles; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Robert Sakaguchi
Robert Yukio Sakaguchi, 59, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 25, 2022 in Aiea, Oahu. He was born in Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. April 16 at Diamond Head Mortuary on Oahu for a service. Aloha attire. No flowers. Private scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.
He is survived by mother, Yolette Nishimoto; brothers, Stuart (Ginger) and Ladd Nishimoto; and sisters, Dawna Agao and Jan (Roberto) Sanchez.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Cale Yamauchi
Cale Kaanoe Yamauchi, 48, of Hilo died March 21, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Jan. 3, 1974, in Honolulu, he was a power mower operator for the Hawaii County Department of Parks &Recreation and a fisherman and rancher.
Services are pending.
He is survived by parents, Richard and Naomi Okinaga of Hilo; siblings, Cory Yamauchi and Brandee (Jay) Agliam, all of Hilo, Jennifer (Kawena) Canady of Las Vegas, and Richard “Rick” (Shawnae Watson) Okinaga Jr. of Peoria, Arizona; grandfather, Paul Yamauchi of Honolulu; grandmother, Kiyoko Okinaga of Hilo; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Shirley Benevides
Shirley R. “Tutu” “Mrs. B” Benevides, 86, of Hilo died March 21, 2022 at her residence. Born June 24, 1935 in Pepeekeo, she was a homemaker.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. April 11 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will follow at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo. Casual attire is requested.
She is survived by sons, Richard (Dawn) Benevides of Chowchilla, California, Darren (Andrea) Benevides of Hilo and Scott Benevides of Merced, California; brother, Edward (Kathy) Reis of Hilo; sisters, Mary Jane Camacho of Paauilo and Linda Correia of Hilo; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Brenda Nabarro-Masuno
Brenda Nabarro-Masuno, 59, of Hilo, died March 25, 2022, at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, she was a certified nurse’s aide.
Private services held.
She is survived by husband, Joseph Masuno Sr. of Hilo; children, Joseph (Leysha) Masuno-Kanae, Chelsea (Francisco) Babas-Masuno, Kaulana (Jonalyn) Masuno and Abcde Masuno, all of Hilo; 19 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Mort Matsumoto
Mort Masami Matsumoto, 63, of Aiea, Oahu, died Dec. 8, 2021 on Oahu. Born July 29, 1958, in Hilo, he was employed by the United States Postal Service in Honolulu. Private services. The family requerts that flowers and koden (monetary offerings) be omitted.
He is survived by numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Francesca Farias
Francesca Stella Farias, 72, of Hawaiian Beaches, died Feb. 8, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and a member of New Hope Puna.
Friends mauy call at 3 p.m. April 9 at New Hope Puna for a service. Casual attire.
She is survived by husband, Richard Farias of Hawaiian Beaches; daughter, Ramona Ann (Henry) Otani of Waianae, Oahu; sons, Richard Farias Jr., Derrick Farias and Wayne Farias, all of Honolulu; mother, Aurea Cueva of Ewa Beach, Oahu; sisters, Evelynn DeCoite and Josephine Cueva, both of Honolulu, Mildred Scharsch, Maryann Cueva and Doris Lehua, all of Ewa Beach, Oahu, and Elizabeth Cook of El Sobrante, California; brothers, Benjamin (Marie) Mercado of Hilo, Norman Cueva of Ewa Beach, Oahu, David Cueva of Oregon, and Daniel Cueva and Dino Cueva, both of California; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Kathleen DeMello
Kathleen “Kathy” DeMello, 66, of Mountain View, died March 24, 2022 at her residence. She was born June 22, 1955 in Hilo.
Friends may call at noon April 7 at Coconut Island for a service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Hawaii Island Hume Society, PO Box 939, Keaau, HI 96749.
She is survived by daughter, Chelcie (Alan) Kurzontkowski of Wilson, North Carolina; brother, Karl (Lori) DeMello; sisters, Cynthia (Robert) Guasch and Carmen Downs; and two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Eugene Leslie
Eugene “Bucky” Theodore Leslie, 77, of Captain Cook died March 25, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 29, 1944, in Hilo, he was a florist and owner of Flowers for Mama; served on the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Hawaii Council, Hawaii Island Burial Council, Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Maoli Foundation; president of the Hawaii Island Council for the Association of the Hawaiian Civic Clubs; a long-time member of the Kuakini Hawaiian Civic Club of Kona and the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu and a member of the Democratic Party.
Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. April 22 at Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona for services.
He is survived by companion, Makana Tabar of Captain Cook; sister, Pearl (Mike) Hind; godchild, Kekuanaoa Hind, all of Kailua-Kona; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Arley Alani Sr.
Arley Kaheana Alani Sr., 63, of Ho’okena died March 24, 2022. Born Feb. 21, 1959, in Kealakekua, he was a self-employed landscaper, coffee farmer, fisherman, marine merchant for OTEC, houseman for the former Kona Surf Resort and a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Mary Alani; children, Alicia (Christian) Hosino, Kawailani Alani, Arley (Lea) Alani Jr. and Kelii Alani, all of Ho’okena; brothers, Louis Alani Jr., and Wyatt (Nancy) Alani Sr., both of Ho’okena; hanai brother, Bruno Lenta of California; sisters, Kathleen (Brad) Pai of Kahauko, Ho’okena, Yolanda Alani of Kealakekua and Donna Lee Krems of Maui; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and several aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Merle Wood II
Merle William Wood II, of Captain Cook died Jan. 23, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born March 13, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was a retired attorney for Nestle’s Corporation; president of the Hawaiian Organic Farmers Association and the Kona Coffee Council; and owner Wood Captain Cook Estates.
Private services planned.
He is survived by wife, Kathleen Wood of Captain Cook; son, Merle (Caren) Wood III of Richmond, Virginia; brother, Mike (Diane) Wood of Lovett, Texas; two grandchildren; and one niece.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.