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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Matthew Jacobs
Matthew Jacobs, 62, of Waimea, died April 25, 2022. Born Dec. 22, 1959, in Hoolehua, Molokai, he was employed with South Kohala Water Corp. and Nomura Village Hawaii.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28 at Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea for a celebration of life.
He is survived by wife, Glory; daughter/niece, Cheriane (Alec) Charlton; brothers, Fred (Jonette) Pu, Kaden (Tasha) Jacobs, Gordon (Katherine) Kekahuna, and Wendell (Anna) Pu; sister, Jade (Sean) Mullaney; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
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Herbert Watanabe
Herbert S. Watanabe, 93, of Hilo, died Feb. 21, 2022, in Honolulu. Born in Wailuku, Maui, he was the former elected member and chairman of the state Board of Education, was also past president and an active member in the Waiakea Lions Club and Lions International.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. May 28 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a celebration of life. A special service by the Waiakea Lions Club will follow. In lieu of flowers or koden (monetary offerings) the family requests memorial donations to the Lions Eye Bank of Hawaii, the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or the Lyman Museum. Casual attire. Services will also stream at oneroomstreaming.com; Event ID: dodomortuary Password: UVZETS.
He is survived by sons, Mark (Emily) Watanabe of Hilo, Colin (Cherie) Watanabe of Honolulu, David (Debra) Watanabe of Pearl City, Oahu, and Lt. Col. Nathan (Blanche) Watanabe of Colorado Springs, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Patricia Bufil-Dehmer
Patricia “Patti” Piilani Bufil-Dehmer, 59, of Hilo, died March 28, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 16, 1962 in Hilo, she was a loan officer for the former Beneficial Hawaii Inc.; an administrative assistant for Ivan Mochida Contracting, Inc.; and a salesclerk at Robert’s Bakery.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. May 28 at Mauna Kea Memorial Park, Papaikou, for a graveside committal service. Friends may also call at 4 p.m. May 28 at Hilo Meishoin Social Hall for a celebration of life. Aloha attire and flowers welcomed.
She is survived by husband, Eric Dehmer of Hilo; sons, Erickson Dehmer of Fairbanks, Alaska and Roycen (Stephanie) Dehmer of Kailua, Oahu; daughter, Brittni Rose (Aukai Ishibashi Jr.) Dehmer of Hilo; four grandchildren; father, Pilagio Bufil of Hilo; hanai brother, Ronnie Alonzo of Hilo; sisters, Abigail Bufil of California and Francine (Randy Uy) Bufil-Uy of California; hanai children; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard Pea
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Howard Kahale Pea, 72, of Hilo, died May 5, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired consultant, member and former Bishop of the Keaukaha Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a mentor, farmer, musician, fisherman, kahu, a family hooponopono counselor with Alu Like and Hui Malama, and a member of the Keaukaha Panaewa Farmers Association.
Friends may call for visitation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 28 at Hilo Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
She is survived by wife, Charlene Pea of Hilo; sons, Chuska Pea and Kalei (Aume) Pea of Hilo, and Una (Jamelyn) Pea of Kohala; daughters, Tresa Pea of Utah, Lehuanani (Matthew) Hafen of Washington, Muncie (Michael) Kirby and Puhala (Keao) Kamalamalama of Hilo; brothers, George (Janice) Pea and Arthur Pea of Hilo; sisters, Ruth Pea, Muncie Pea and Beverly (Kihei) Ahuna of Hilo, Deborah (Thomas) Tsinnijinnie of Arizona; 13 grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Doris Onishi
Doris Sueno Onishi, 86, of Hilo, died May 4, 2022, at her residence. Born in Hilo, she was a retired baker for KTA Puainako and member of Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission.
Private services. No monetary gifts.
She is survived by daughters, Lynn Onishi of Kona, Ann (Hudson) Kekaula of Aiea, Oahu, and Wendy (Miles) Yoshioka of Hilo; caregiver, Kori Imai of Hilo; sister, Kikue Shimabukuro of California; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Henry Elia
Henry “Humpa” Elia, 70, of Lacey, Wash., died April 1, 2022, at Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Wash. Born in Hilo, he was a U.S. Postal Service worker and a retired sergeant first class with the U.S. Army.
Private services held.
He is survived by wife, Yong Sugi Elia of Lacey, Wash.; son, Christopher (Kelsey) Elia of Lacey, Wash.; brother, David (Diana) Elia of Hilo; sister, Marjorie Elia of Hilo; hanai sister, Yvonne (Albert) Kahoonei of Texas; one grandson; and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.