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 to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements with photos may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Cel Carlos
Cel N. Carlos, 93, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii died April 15, 2023 at her residence. Born in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on September 1, 1929, she was a retired housekeeper at the former Kona Lagoon Hotel and King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. She was a vegetable picker for Tomono Farms and member of Assembly of God and Solid Rock Ministries. She is survived by her husband, Melecio Carlos of Kailua Kona; sons, Melmar (Paulina) Carlos, Melecio Carlos Jr., Ferdinand Carlos, and Joel Carlos, all of Kailua-Kona, Sam (Kaipo) Carlos of Holualoa; daughters, Grace (Oliver) Garo and Glory Carlos, all of Kailua-Kona, Evangeline Carlos of Bakersfield, CA.; brother, Edilberto (Eugenia) Nicolas of Philippines; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rosita Navarro
Rosita Navarro, 88, of Hilo, passed away on June 2, 2023. Born April 22, 1935, in Hilo, Hawaii, she retired as a waitress from the Kona Inn Hotel. She is survived by sons, William Nicholson, Robin Gregory; daughters, Lori (Nolan) Alicuben, Diana, Pamela and Elena Nicholson; 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Private Services were held. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Dolores Santa Maria
Dolores “Lola” Patricia Santa Maria, 91, of Keaau, died on June 6, 2023 at her son’s home. She was born on July 5, 1931 in Delano, California. She was a retired supervisor for Bank of America. Services to be announced. Survived by, sons, Nick (Bobbie) Santa Maria of Camanche Lake, California, Mike (Max) Santa Maria of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mark (Easter) Santa Maria of Northridge, California, Matt Santa Maria of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Tony (Sherrie) Santa Maria of Northridge, California, Mitch (Krissy) Kuamoo-Santa Maria of Hilo and Monty Santa Maria of California; brothers, John Paca of Cerritos, California and Edward “Beto” Paca of Hemet, California; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Gary Shirota
Gary Kiyoshi Shirota, 75, of Hilo, died June 13 at home. He was born in Pepeekeo and was a retired land surveyor with the County of Hawaii, Dept. of Public Works, a Vietnam Veteran of the US Army and also a member of the Papaikou Hongwanji Mission. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 15 at the Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Survived by daughters, Renee Shirota and Stephanie Shirota of Hilo; brothers, Roger (Rita) Shirota and Bert Shirota of Papaikou; two nephews and many cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Orion Akers
Orion Clarke Akers, 52, of Kurtistown, passed away on June 18, 2023. Born November 28, 1970 in England, he was a Pastor at Living Way Church Maui and Kealaola Hilo Outreach. He is survived by spouse, Raedene Ackers; sons, Marcus K. Kamalii, Lawrence Kealoha Makaena, Armen Boaz, Mason H. Ackers, Manu P. Ackers; daughters, Kaitlyn Costa-Dizon, Greysie Nobriga; parents, Janet Ackers and Philip Clarke Kaufman; grandparents, Jules Aaron Kaufman, Mary Claire Sullivan, Albert Ackers, Mary Florence Cosby Ackers; 2 grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were held on July 1, 2023 at the Living Way Church, Maui. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Leslie Tengan
Leslie Kenji Tengan, 56, of Waikoloa, Hawaii, died June 21, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 22, 1967, he was a food and beverage manager at the Naea Golf Club. He is survived by his wife, Michele Tengan of Waikoloa; daughter, Chloe Tengan of Arizona; brothers, Stanley (Tonya) Tengan of Mililani, Oahu, and Dean (Christine) Tengan of Castro Valley, CA.; sister, Diane (Pete) Harsch of Santa Rosa, CA. Private services. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bernice Nakamura
Bernice Aiko Nakamura, 91, of Hilo died June 24 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired office manager for the former Hawaii Hardware Company. Private services were held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Mamoru Nakamura of Hilo; son, Clyde (Sophie) Nakamura of California; daughter, Karen (Chad) Hirata of Hilo; three granddaughters, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alan Luta
Alan Ray Luta, 68, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, died June 27, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 7, 1954, he was a commercial fisherman. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. July 29, 2023 at Nimitz Cove Pavilion 1814 in Kapolei, Oahu. Memorial will begin at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow. He is survived by his son, Aaron (Emily Hirama) Suga of Honolulu; brothers, Steven Luta of Colorado, Robert Luta, Enricky Luta, Thomas Luta, all of South Carolina; sisters, Helene (Bradley) Ineichen of Pflugerville, TX., 2 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fasia Tauala
Fasia Puaa’elo Tauala Jr., 59, of Hauula, HI died June 27, 2023 in Hilo.. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii in 1963. A private service will be held in August of 2023. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. He is survived by sons, Luke Tauala, Lincoln Tauala, and Leonard Tauala; mother, Frances Tauala; and brothers, Dave Tauala and Ronnie Tauala.
Joseph Chew
Joseph, “Joe”, “Tolee”, “‘Fly” Chew, 81, of Leeds, AL, formerly of Hilo, died June 29th, 2023 at Ascension St. Vincent East Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, he was a retired cook, coconut frond weaver, and cultural advocate. He is survived by sons, Joseph Chew Jr of Keaau, HI and Allen (Dawana) Chew of Birmingham, AL; daughter Shirley Chew of Keaau; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15th, 2023 at Old Airport Park in Kailua-Kona at 1:00 pm, RSVP (808)938-3667.
Anthony De Sa
Anthony “Tony” Patrick De Sa, Sr., 81, of Hilo died June 30 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honomu, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for the Operating Engineers Local 3, member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and a former baseball coach and player. Visitation from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Thursday (July 13, 2023) at the St. Joseph Catholic Church; funeral mass at 9:30. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Francelia De Sa of Hilo; children, Nani De Sa of Hilo, Tony (Shelley) De Sa of Hilo, Noe (Jon) Taum of Hilo; brother, John (Arlene) De Sa, Sr. of Hilo; sisters, Rose Grace of Hilo, Maggie (Bobby) DeMattos of Kurtistown; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harry Matsumoto
Harry Giro Matsumoto, 89, of Paauilo, died July 1, 2023 at home. Born in Paauilo, he was retired from the former Hamakua Sugar Company and a member of Paauilo Hongwanji Mission. Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers. He is survived by children, Rowan Matsumoto, Doedi Matsumoto, Shawn Matsumoto; sisters, Akiko Miyasaki, Yukiko Matsumoto; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Henrietta Miranda
Henrietta Kuualoha Auwae Miranda, 82, of Keaukaha, died on July 2, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born on March 23, 1941 in Keaukaha, Hawaii. She was a retired school security for Hilo High School. No services. Survived by, husband, John Gomes Miranda of Hilo; children, Henry Allen Keone (Anne) Miranda of Hilo, Maureen Agnes Puanani (Harvey) Waipa of Hilo, Elena Marie Zych of Ocean View, Charlene Kapualani Manikis of Oregon, Joelyn Ann Momilani Miranda of Hilo, Emily Noelani (Guy) Astrande of Hilo and Vanessa Lei (Vernon) Quiocho of Hilo; step-children, John (Delilah) Miranda of Oahu, Leroy Miranda of Oahu and Frances (Larry) Doaks of Tennessee; brothers, Allen Ipo (Riva) Auwae of Oregon and Charles Kalani Auwae of Hilo; sister, Jewellyn Mary Leialoha of Hilo; 35 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Alexander Enos
Alexander James “Alika” Enos , 74 of Honaunau, Hawaii, died July 5, 2023 at his residence. Born in Kealakekua, Hawaii on March 13, 1949, he was a retired electrical contractor and a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Enos of Honaunau; daughters, Kanani Enos of Honaunau and Joy Enos of Austin, TX.; son, Ikaika Enos of Ft. Collins; 11 grandchildren; 4 brothers; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.