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. Questions 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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Edward Toriano
Edward Yuzuru Toriano, 92, of Hilo died Jan. 10, 2023, at his residence. Born in Pahala, he was a retired diesel instructor at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, a member of the Naalehu Hongwanji Mission and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Burial services to follow at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Lloyd (Noreen) Toriano of Hilo, Ted (Sharon) Toriano of Kona; daughters, Debra Lynn Yamamoto of Hilo, Sharon (Guy) Allcorn of Pahala; brother, Warren Toriano of Hilo; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Charles Lee
Charles “Chucky” “Suki” Curtis Lee, 55, of Pahala, died Jan. 28, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pahala, he was a granite fabricator for various construction companies. Memorial service to be held at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo: 570 Kinoole St. Hilo, HI 96720 on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. Church memorial service at Pahala Holy Rosary Church on March 4 at 9 a.m. Scattering of ashes at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach to follow. He is survived by mother, Frieda Gravela Lee of Hilo; companion, Patricia Pai of Pahala; brothers, Jeremy Lee of Hilo, Joey (Nazareth) Lee of Hilo, Bruce (Nancy) Lee of Hilo, Jamie (Raylynn) Lee of Hilo, and Jason Lee of Honolulu; God-son, Masen Lee of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Casual attire, flowers are welcomed. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Hanako Kuwaye
Hanako H. Kuwaye, 101, of Hilo, died Dec. 27, 2022 in the Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation &Nursing Center. She was born on March 3, 1921 in Papaaloa, and was a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Hui Okinawa and Kanoelani Association. Visitation will be held at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo on Feb. 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. Casual attire is requested. She is survived by son, Wayne (Carol) Kuwaye of Hilo; daughter, Frances Chow of Hilo; sisters, Yoshiko Kishinami of Honolulu, Yuriko Yahiro of Hilo and Yaeko Kunishige of Hilo; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and grand dogs. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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John Moore
John Haven Moore, 73, of Captain Cook, died Jan. 20, 2023 at Kohala Hospital. He was born in Virginia on June 10, 1949 and was a farmer. No services. He is survived by son, Jonaven Moore of Sooke, British Columbia, Canada. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Toshiko Sasaki
Toshiko “Sally” Sasaki, 102, of Hilo, died Feb. 2, 2023, in private care. Born in Waiohinu, she worked in the cane fields, competed in the Women’s Badminton championships in the early 1940s, retired from Robert’s Bakery and was a member of the Higashi Hongwanji Mission and a former member of the Iwalani Kumiai. Private services were held. Donations in her memory can be made to the Pacific Tsunami Museum or the Hawaii Japanese Center. She is survived by sons, Alvin (Terri) Sasaki of Corona, Calif. and Russel (Frances) Sasaki of Dana Point, Calif.; one grandson, Jayme; one great grandson, Keahi; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Joe Sugawara
Joe Sonoma Sugawara, 99, of Hilo, died Feb. 13, 2023, at home. Born in Petaluma, Calif., he was a retired Certified Public Accountant with the Internal Revenue Service and was also a member of the 442nd Infantry and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Private services held. He is survived by wife, Chizuru Sugawara of Hilo; daughter, Joyce (Ross Paulson) Sugawara of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother, Ken (Jane) Sugawara of E. Flat Rock, N.C.; numerous brothers and sisters in law; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.