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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Patrick Kim
Patrick Lee Kim, 50, of Honalo, died Dec. 15, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Los Angeles on Feb. 19, 1972, he was a high school teacher at Hawaii Technology Academy, Konawaena High School and WHEA, the District PE teacher for West Hawaii, and worked at the Marine Mammal Center with response volunteers. He is survived by wife, Selene Kim of Honalo; son, Kellen Kim; daughter, Payton Kim, both of Kona; mother, Grace Kim of Irvine, California; brother, Eugene (Suyoun) Kim of South Pasadena, CA.; stepson, Ty (Amy) Miyasato of San Francisco; two step-grandchildren; two nephews and a niece. Private scattering of ashes at sea. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Francisco Torres Jr.
Francisco Torres Jr., 81, of Keaau died Nov. 9, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born and raised in Hilo, he was a retired metal scrap iron worker for Yamada &Sons. A visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Dec. 30 with a celebration of life at 9:30 a.m. at Sure Foundation in Keaau. Scattering of ashes will be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 31 at Wailuku bridge in Hilo. He is survived by daughters, Cindy (William Jr.) Respicio of Keaau and Kathy Torres of Oahu; caregiving granddaughter, Acacia (Wyatt) Kaili-Leong of Keaau; brothers, John (Monica) Torres of California and Sonny (Beatrice) Narte of Idaho; sisters Helen Pacheco, Emily Pacheco, &Beatrice Martin all of Hilo; 5 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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James Kowalski
James “Jim” Joseph Kowalski, 84, of Pahoa, May 13, 2022 at home. Born Feb. 17, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a retired math teacher for Hilo High School, avid golfer at Hilo Municipal Golf Course, one of the Big Island’s original soccer coaches for AYSO, as well as a youth basketball coach for the Police Athletic League, a U.S. Army veteran, served two years in the Peace Corps in Nigeria, was an adult group home counselor for The ARC of Hilo and a driver for Island Naturals Market and Deli. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Dodo Mortuary chapel; celebration of life at 10 a.m. Casual attire and masks requested. He is survived by wife, Carrie Kowalski of Pahoa; sons, Jacob Kowalski of Honolulu, Oahu and Jason (Donna) Kowalski of Elk Grove, California; grandchildren, Kylie Kowalski of Elk Grove, California and Brady Kowalski of Elk Grove, California; brother-in-law, John Baum of Pennsylvania; several nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.