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.
Dennis Elwell
Dennis Franklin Elwell,Ph.D, 87, of Discovery Harbor, Hawaii, died May 29, 2023 at his residence. Born in England on October 9, 1935, he was a retired researcher and professor at Portsmouth and Stanford universities; Hughes Aircraft, and Magnum Defense. He was a consultant for NASA and European Space Agency; an author for science-based books. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Elwell of Discovery Harbor; daughters, Kathy Elwell, and Susanne Elwell, both of California. Private services were held at the Na’alehu Methodist Church and Na’alehu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rodney Miyazono
Rodney Kazuaki Miyazono, 75, of Hilo died June 4 at his home. Born in Olaa, he was a retired groundskeeper at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course and an avid fisherman. Private services held. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by children, Len Miyazono of Hilo, Marisa (Christian) Rosehill of Keaau; brothers, Roy Miyazono of Hilo, Allen Miyazono of Hilo, Jerry (Florence) Miyazono of Hilo; sister, Linda (Jerome) Mina of Molokai; two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Francisco Abadilla, Jr.
Francisco Abadilla, Jr., 64, of Keaau, died June 21 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Molokai and was a retired machine operator and heavy equipment operator and was also a member of New Hope Church, Hilo. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday (July 29) at the New Hope Church Hilo, 840 Kupulau Road. Celebration of life and fellowship from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aloha attire; flowers and lei are welcome.Survived by daughter, Annie Abadilla-Alvarez (Cody) of Keaau; sons, Joey Abadilla (Lana) of Papaikou and Jason Abadilla (Keala) of Hilo; siblings, April Ann Kealamakia (Mark) of Waimea, Phillip Abadilla Sr. (Jean) of Ainaloa, George Abadilla (Gwen) of Kurtistown, Samantha Thomas (James) of Orchidland Estates, Sam Abadilla (Tanya) of Oregon, Faustino Abadilla (Tawnya) of Orchidland Estates, Sheldon Bastatas (Lisa), Duke Bastatas (Toni Jen), Zachary Bastatas (Christina) and Priscilla Caluya (Daniel) of Oahu; maternal aunts, Maria Wallet and Rosita Joyce of Keaau, Carolyn Coloma (Edwin) of Orchidland Estates and Dorothy Jean Wood of Waikoloa; paternal aunts, Isabella Gonzalez of Oahu, Rose Hagmock of Las Vegas and Beatrice Abadilla of Oahu; 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marie Regua
Marie “Maming” Lopez Regua, 91, of Kurtistown, died on June 24, 2023 at home. She was born on October 22, 1931 in Luna, La Union, Philippines. She was a retired housekeeper for Naniloa Hotel and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday July 27, 2023 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Prayer Service at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire. Survived by, sisters, Antonia Lopez of Kurtistown, Jacinta Reyes of Hilo, Ceferina Haranay of Kurtistown and Feliciana Carbonero of Kurtistown; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kenneth Katayama
Kenneth “Ken” Kenji Katayama, 83, of Hilo, died July 11, 2023 at home. Born in Pahala, he was retired from Kulani Correctional Facility, U.S. Air Force veteran and member of Puhi Bay Ohana. Scattering of ashes at 11 a.m. Aug. 5, 2023 at James Kealoha Beach Park/4 Miles in Keaukaha with Celebration of Life to follow at 1 p.m. at the family residence in Keaukaha, 173 Todd Ave. Family requests casual attire be worn.He is survived by wife, Mabel Katayama of Hilo; Kevin (Joni) Katayama of Honolulu, Katrina (Douglas Park) Katayama, Kimie Fiu and Kristie (Jordan) Kahihikolo of Hilo; hanai son, Johnny-coe (Christine) Keanu of Keaau; brother, Roy (Mary Ann) Katayama of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Pearl Silva and Charlotte (Darryl) Liborio of Hilo; 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Julie Bautista
Julie “Neneng” Bautista, 49, of Hilo, died on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Born on July 14, 1973, in Pagsanjan Laguna, Philippines. Friends may call on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Visitation from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Funeral Service at 6 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Alae Cemetery (New Section). She is surrvived by children Rose Ann and Joe Kevin of the Philippines and Judie of Hawaii. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Howard Fujihara
Howard Tetsuo Fujihara, 76, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, died July 2, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealia, Hawaii on May 11, 1947, he was a commercial fisherman and member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at 8 a.m. August 5, 2023 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Honaunau; mass will begin at 9 a.m. The family requests casual attire. He is survived by his son, Howard Silva of Pahala; sisters, Lorraine (James) Motoyama of Kealakekua, Lillian (Elson) Mori of Kailua Kona, Arelene (Michael) Reilly of Kealakekua, and Barbara Jean (Grant)Fujihara of Kailua Kona; brothers, Douglas Fujihara of Hilo, and Harold Fujihara of Kealakekua; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jeanette Arellano
Jeanette Oandasan Arellano, 43, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died July 3, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Wahiawa, Hawaii on April 30,1980. She was a stocking team 1 at Walmart and formerly a department manager of Health and Beauty department. She is survived by her fiancé, Kawailehua Haleamau of Kona; mother, Virginia Arellano of Kona; sisters, Joy Arellano of CA., Jenna Arellano, and Jeri Arellano(Mayvelyn), both of Kona; brothers, Mario (Esperanza) Arellano of Kona, John (Madelyn) Arellano of Honolulu, Stanley (Janiza) Arellano of Seattle, WA., James (Shannon) Arellano, Percy Arellano, and Wayne Arellano, all of Kona; 8 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. All- night vigil will be August 3rd and 4th at residence at 77-6519 Seaview Circle, Kailua-Kona. Visitation will be held at 9am on August 5th, 2023 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona; mass will begin at 10 am, followed by burial at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Miyoko Ignacio
Miyoko Higa Ignacio, 91, of Hilo, died July 4, 2023 at a private care home. Born in Keaau, she was a homemaker and member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts. She is survived by children, Gary Ignacio, Michael (Doreen) Ignacio, Jo Ann Ishida, Jay (Jennifer) Ignacio, Mark (Denese) Ignacio, Terry Ignacio; sisters, Midori Matsudo, Patsy (Richard) Jim, Elsie Miike, Tomoko (Mason) Hasegawa; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Florenda Cuchapin
Florenda Tabunda Cuchapin, 84, of Pepeekeo, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born on August 2, 1938, in Philippines, she worked at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory and she also was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Friends may call on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo; Visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Celebration of Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial at Alae Cemetery (New Section) at 11 a.m. Casual attire. She is survived by sibling, Julita Casil of Pepeekeo; caregiver and niece, Gloria (Gabe) Sampaia of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Robert Impson
Robert Lee Impson, 86, of Kahua Ranch, Kohala died July 8 at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in McAlester, Oklahoma, he was the owner of the former Last Chance Store in Kukuihaele, Honokaa and a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Private services. Survived by daughters, Terri (Tim Richards, III) Impson of Kahua Ranch, Marina (Cyro) Sa of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Prisana (Eric) Nuechterlein of Denver, Colorado; two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leroy Kahoalii-Esperanza
Leroy Kauhane Kahoalii-Esperanza, 44, of Captain Cook died July 9 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kealakekua, he was a tattoo artist, commercial painter and carpenter. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Survived by son, Seth Kahoalii-Esperanza of Hilo; daughter, Hayleigh-Rae Kahoalii-Esperanza of Pahoa; mother, Lisa (Wendell) Tom of Pahoa; father, Charles Kahoalii of Hilo; sisters, Merissa Kahoalii of Pahoa, Ashley Kahoalii of the Mainland, Nicole Kahoalii of Hilo; paternal grandmother, Garlyn Kahoalii of Kona; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Pucong
David Pucong, 72, of Captain Cook, Hawaii, died July 10, 2023 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born in Kealakekua, Hawaii on March 8, 1952, he was a bellman at the former Kona Hilton Hotel. He is survived by his daughter, Emily Pucong of Scotland; mother, Maggie Pucong of Kona; brothers, Albert (Elaine) Pucong of Kona, Clifford (Colleen) Milar of CA., Patrick (Tanya) Pucong of Kona; numerous nieces and nephews. Private services will be held. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary