Obituaries for Sunday, April 30, 2023

Miyeko Wagatsuma

Miyeko “Aunty Min” Wagatsuma, 99, of Hilo, died Feb. 15, 2023, at a care home in Hilo. Born in Piihonua, she was a homemaker, former aide at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School, seamstress for the former Kamehameha Garments, office worker for the former Hilo Hotel and member of Taishoji Soto Mission. Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts. She is survived by daughters, Linda (Sanford) Iwata of Hilo, Jan (Stephen) Honda of Mililani, Oahu; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

William Miller

William Kaulia “Bill” “Pops” Miller, 82, of Hilo, died February 16, 2023. Born in Lihue on September 7, 1940, he was a Navy veteran, worked at Wailoa Tire Recap, started Tire Equipment &Supply Co., and later founded Miller Industries, Inc. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:30 A.M. at the Ko’olau Ballrooms , 45-550 Kionaole Rd. in Kaneohe. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com He is survived by sister, Carol Paul of Hilo; sons, Marlon (Susan) Miller of Hilo, Markham (Sophie) Miller of Mililani, Brad (Cheryl) Miller of Kane’ohe, and Mitchell (Sumea) Miller of Kane’ohe; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.

Roy Kagawa

Roy Asao Kagawa, 88, of Hilo died March 15 at his residence. Born in Wailuku, Maui, he was a retired Big Island Manager with the State of Hawaii Department of Labor. Visitation from 9:30–11 a.m. Saturday May 6, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; funeral service at 11 a.m. Casual attire. He is survived by wife, Audrey Kagawa of Hilo; sons, Edwin Kagawa of Hilo, Roy (Chris Chun) Kagawa, Jr. of Hilo, Lee (Rosenia) Kagawa of Kona; four grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Masue Uejo

Masue Uejo, age 102, of Hilo, Hawaii, passed away on March 18, 2023 in the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. She was born in Kalopa, Hawaii on February 21, 1921 and served along with her late husband Rev. Richard Uejo in the Christian ministry. Private burial service was held at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2 in Hilo, Hawaii. On-line condolences at www.dodomortuary.com. She is survived by son, Daniel Uejo of Hilo; daughter, Carolyn (Roger) Kuntemeyer of Hilo; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.

Elwyn Keomaka

Elwyn Kaleo’okalani Keomaka, II, 41, of Keaau, died March 25 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu, and was a self-employed Licensed Architectural Engineer and IT Consultant. Services will be held at a later date. He is survived by wife, Arisa Koizumi of Keaau; father, Elwyn (Roxanne) Keomaka of Keaau; sisters, Brianna (Lance) Aquino and Sierra Rose of Las Vegas; step-brothers, Kaleo Hui of Los Angeles and Oussama Hui of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.

Trisha Perreira

Trisha Lee-Ann Kauionalani Perreira, 50, of Ahualoa, passed away on April 1, 2023. Born January 9, 1973 in Hilo, she was a chef for Plates of Aloha and Paniolo Country Inn. She is survived by partner Audi Avant; father, Daniel E. Perreira of Ahualoa; brother, Daniel “Keola”(Pristeen) Perreira of Kamuela; sister, Dania (Brett) Sopher of Westminster, CO; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Service will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Viewing from 9-10 a.m. Service 10-11 a.m. Condolences can be mailed to: Daniel Perreira, PO Box 2067, Kamuela, HI 96743 Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Wendy Rice,

Wendy Haunani Thompson Rice, 77, formerly of Kailua, Oahu died on April 4, 2023 at home in Keaau, Hawaii. She was born in Honolulu, HI. A private service was held. Burial at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery in Kaneohe, Oahu to be held at a later date. Condolences: HomelaniMemorialPark.com She is survived by daughter, Cindy (Scott) Johnson of Oceanside, California; son, Allen (Hokulani Kaikaina) Punawai Rice of Keaau, Hawaii; sisters Helena Lubin of Lynnwood, Washington and Aileen Kuualoha Davis of Waimea, Hawaii; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Louisa Lau

Louisa Leimomi Lau, 68, of Hilo died April 6 at her residence. Born in Kailua-Kona, she was an associate at Walmart Hilo, formerly employed at Hawaiian Host Papaya and Turning Point for Families. Visitation from 9:30–11 a.m. Friday May 5, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Casual attire. A celebration of her life will continue from 12–6 p.m. Saturday May 6, 2023 at the family home located at 30 Kauhane Ave. in Hilo. Survived by son, Gabriel (Dionne) Lau of Hilo; daughter, Stacy Ah Yo of Hilo; 2 grandsons, siblings, Wilbert Lau of Hilo, Henry (Carol) Lau of Honolulu, Maxine Kaluna, Mervyn Cagampang, Sweetie (Bruce) Brumaghim, Garrett (Cheryl) Cagampang, Thomas (Kim) Kamealoha all of Kona, Crystal (Elroy) Toribio of Papaikou, Kui Cagampang of Honolulu, Kahea (Diego) Padillio, Joey (Jay) Hayashi, Shantel Akao, Mokihana (Russell) Salmo, Malama Akao all of Kona; Numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Kelly Yamada

Kelly Lee Yamada, 67, of Kurtistown, died Apr. 10 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo and was a retired supervisor with Yamada &Sons, Inc. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Saturday May 6 at the Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Casual attire. He is survived by daughters, Talia (Ku Keliikoa) Yamada of Kurtistown and Aiyana (Kanani Kawaihae, Jr.) Yamada of Papaikou; sister, Donna Miller of Hilo; brother, Robert (Trudy) Yamada of Panaewa; one grandson, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Russell Hensley

Russell Scott Hensley, 60, of Honaunau, Hawaii died April 19, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Richmond, Virginia on November 27, 1962, he was an iron worker and past member of the Iron Workers Union. Services will be held at a later date. He is survived by his soulmate, Lisa Davis of Honaunau; daughter, Megan (Josh Riffle) Hensley of Cottonwood, CA., Brittany Davis-Hensley and Haley Hensley, both of Elkton, VA.; sisters, Kristie Breeden and Cindy Wheelbarger, both of Virginia; brother, Kenny Haven of Honaunau; 5 grandchildren; 2 aunts; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Leonardo Francisco

Leonardo Lorenzo Francisco, 76, of Kapaau, died Apr. 25 at the North Hawaii Community Hospital. He was born in Laoag, Philippines and was a retired steward with Marriott Waikoloa and a member of the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All-night vigil from noon Friday May 5 at the Francisco residence in Kapaau. Prayer service at 5 p.m. Visitation also 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday May 6 at the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire. He is survived by wife, Angelita Francisco of Kapaau; daughter, Leonalynn (Rigel) Baldago of Las Vegas; brother, Cosme (Ofelia) Francisco of the Philippines; sisters, Corazon Baldos and Donicia (Ceferino) Corpuz of Kohala; step-son, Roland Greg (Faith) Morales of Dubai, of United Arab Emirates; step-daughter, Fe Ceferina (Flor) Villanueva of the Philippines; eight grandchildren; numerous nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.

Edmund Daog

Edmund Keola “Poncho” “Boy” Daog, Sr., 55, of Hilo, died May 4, 2020 at the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. He was born in Hilo and was a heavy equipment operator first with M. Sonomura Contracting Co., Inc., then Isemoto Contracting Co., Ltd. and finally with Nan, Inc. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Friday May 5 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. He is survived by wife, Erin Lee Daog of Hilo; sons, Edmund Daog, Jr., Edward Daog, Ikaika (Latoya) Kaili and Chawn (Calista) Kaili, all of Hilo; daughter, Cheylan (Avelino) Kaili-Lee of Utah; brothers, Rudolph “Rudy” Daog and Chris Daog of Hilo, Lawrence (Jennifer) Daog of Texas and Matthew (Valerie) Daog of Oahu; sisters, Sharon (Jovany) Pacheco of Kona, Darlene (Daniel) Gangano of Mountain View and Patricia Carter of Connecticut; 14 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.