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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Paula Kekahuna
Paula Kanoelani Kekahuna, 68, of Pahoa, died Dec. 9, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born May 25, 1954 in Honolulu, she was a professional lei maker d.b.a. Hawaiian Style Lei; founder of the Maku’u Farmers Market; and dedicated her life servicing the Maku’u Farmers Hawaiian Homestead Association and the Puna Community. A Celebration of life will be held from 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the Kekahuna Hale in Pahoa; lunch to follow. She is survived by keiki, Phillip, Jr. (Ann), Ioane (Brianne), Lauae (Haili), Melekahana (Trevor) and Michael Hauanio (Tiara); seven mo’opuna; siblings, Kevin Kiilehua (Sharon) and Yolanda Akeo. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Roy Kiyotsuka
Roy Kiyotsuka, died Jan. 14, 2023 in the Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo. Please call Dodo Mortuary, Inc. at (808) 935-5751 with any information.
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Joyce De Reis
Joyce Kathleen De Reis, 75, of Hilo, died Jan. 15, 2023, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a school campus aide at Kalanianaole School and a receptionist for Dr. Guy Rapoza, DDS. Private services held. She is survived by son, Stephen (Melissa) De Reis of Mississippi; sister, Barbara Koi of Naalehu; brother-in-law, Edward (Kathy) Reis of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Camacho of Paauilo, Linda Correia of Hilo, Carol Reis of California and Myrtle Rapoza of Mountain View; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Wallace Esco
Wallace “Eddy” Edwin Esco, 75, of Ocean View, died on Dec. 23, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 15, 1947, he was a self-employed carpenter and coffee farmer, little league baseball and T-Ball coach and member of the Ala Ama Softball Team, golfer at the Kona Country Club, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran having served in Vietnam, and a member of the VFW Post 12122 in Kailua-Kona. Private services will be held at a later date. He is survived by wife, Nancy Esco of Ocean View; daughter, Miyoko Esco of Denver; step daughter, Jessica (Barry) Evans of Calera, AL; brothers, Jackie Esco of Birmingham, AL, Robby Esco and Larry Esco, both of Destin, FL; and three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Mike Otake
Mike Nobuo Otake, 79, of Hilo, died Jan. 13, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born June 23, 1943 in Kahuku, he has worked at Longs Pali, Anheuser-Busch Hawaii, a route dispatcher for Eagle Distributors and was a member of New Hope Leeward. He is survived by wife, Glendene Otake; son, Gregory J. Otake; cousin, Annette (Dobson) Okawa; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services to be held on Feb. 4; visitation at 10 a.m. service at 10:30 a.m. at Ballard Family Mortuary, Hilo. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Felix Tailon Jr.
Felix “Boobie” Tailon Jr., 54, of Naalehu, died Jan. 3, 2023 in Naalehu. Born Sept. 20, 1968, in Pahala, he was a retired naval officer with the U.S. Navy. He is survived by brother, Marino Tailon of Naalehu; sisters, Felicia (Mac) Mason, Della Kaluna, both of Naalehu, Monica Tailon of Las Vegas and hanai sisters Tiare Tapu Shalev of Bora Bora, Tahiti, Cylynn Kamei of Pahala, Candy Hashimoto of Naalehu; numerous nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and cousins. Visitation at the Tailon residence on Feb.3 from 5-9 p.m. Service will be held on Feb. 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Naalehu. Visitation at 8-9:30 a.m. Mass service at 10 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Naalehu Cemetery. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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