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.
Jason Kaleohano
Jason Hololoa Kaleohano, 44, of Kealakekua, died April 15, 2023, at Queen’s Medical Center. Born in Kealakekua, he was a 2nd assistant golf maintenanceman and member of Saint Benedict Catholic Church. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Sept. 23, 2023, at the Honaunau Rodeo Grounds in Honaunau for a 10 a.m. Celebration of Life. Lunch will follow. The family requests casual attire be worn. He is survived by wife, Johnna Kaleohano of Kealakekua; daughter, Isess Kaleohano of Kealakekua; hanai daughter, Arley Blanco of Kealakekua; brothers, Edward (Laurie Malina) Kaleohano of Captain Cook, Kai (Kuuipo) Kaleohano of Kealia; hanai brother, Valentine (Cassandra) Wessel of Honaunau; sisters, Melani Kaleohano of Spokane, Wash., Connie (Bish) Gouveia of Kealia; hanai sister, Landa Kuahuia of Milolii; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Paula Allen
Paula “Snooky” Lynn Allen (née Rose), 62, of Hilo, HI, died April 27, 2023, in Hilo, HI. Born on April 2, 1961 in Pasadena, California, she was a retired Loadmaster in the United States Navy and a docent at the Iolani Palace. A memorial service will take place at 8:30 AM on September 15, 2023, at the Hilo Veterans Cemetery #2. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Paula Allen may be made to Iolani Palace. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. She is survived by her father, Frank (Sharon) Rose, and mother, Pamela Reyes; brothers, Paul Triantafilos and Joe (Mary) Rose; niece, Alexandra Rose; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, a great-niece, and dear friends.
Lorene Delatorre
Lorene Gomes Delatorre, 90, of Kealakekua, Hawai‘i passed away on July 5, 2023 in Kailua-Kona. She was born on March 2, 1933, in Hilo, Hawai’i. Lorene worked as a coffee farmer, caregiver, and home maker.She is survived by sons Everett (Charlene) Brumaghim, Wayne Brumaghim, Clyde (Venafrancia) Brumaghim, Bruce (Sweetie) Brumaghim, 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Delphine Soares
Delphine W. Soares, Jr., 82 of North Kohala, Passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023 at home. He was born on May 30, 1941 in North Kohala. To many, he was also known as Del, uncle Del, papa, and sarge. Del was a retired Police Sergeant for the County of Hawaii Police Department for 32 years. In “2000” he was named the Big Island’s “Police Officer of the Year” After retiring, he worked as an Assistant Administrator for Securitas at the Keahole Kona airport for 16 plus years. He was also a Veteran in the US Army and a member of the Kawaihae Baptist Church. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kohala Village Inn Resilience Hub Barn on September 30, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for visitation, service to begin thereafter and lunch to follow. Casual attire. Scattering of ashes will be done at a later date. Survived by wife of 31 years Dena M. Soares; daughter, Tammie (John) Soares Madrid; son, Delsen Soares; step-children, Ross (Karisma) Pagat, Ryan (Danielle) Pagat and Malia (Duane) Kaitoku; brothers, Richard (Debra) Soares of Honolulu, Sam (Stephanie) Soares of Arizona and Joaquin Soares of Arizona; sister, Mary Ann Alejo of Maui; Three grandchildren, one great-grandchild; Five step-grandchildren; Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Crosson
Robert “Bwana Bob” “Steve” Steven Crosson, 77, of Honaunau, died July 27, 2023, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Vallejo, Calif., he was an alumnus of the University of Texas, El Paso with a B.A. in Philosophy, retired coffee farmer and roaster and together with his wife were co-owners of Da Bwana Bob’s 100% Kona Coffee Plantation. Private services will be held at a later date. He is survived by wife, Susan Kendall of Honaunau, one son, one grandson and one granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kimie Fujiura
Kimie Dorothy Fujiura, 97, of Kailua-Kona, died on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Regency at Hualalai. She was born on September 30, 1925 in Seattle, Washington. She was a key punch operator for an electronics company. She was a member of Gardena Valley Baptist Church. No services are planned. Survived by, son, Gary Uriu of Capt. Cook; sisters, Margaret Morishita of Eagle, Idaho and Fumi Jean (Henry) Kawanami of Morgan Hill, California; 1 grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Henry Kojiro
Henry Toshio Kojiro, 93, of Kailua-Kona, formerly of Waipahu, Oahu, died July 31, 2023, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Waiakea Uka, he was a statistician for the Hawaii State Department of Transportation and U.S. Army veteran. Services will be held at a later date at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He is survived by daughter, Julie Kojiro of Kailua-Kona; brother, Katsuto Kojiro of Hilo; and sister, Yukiko Kojiro of Honolulu. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Desiree Almazan-Bolos
Desiree Almazan-Bolos, 58, of Keaau died August 3, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo on April 20, 1964, she was a homemaker. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Ainaloa Longhouse, 16-303 Ainaloa Blvd, Pahoa, HI 96778. Please call/text Desmien for more information (808)785-1227. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughter, Desmien (Robert Madio) Almazan; sister, Lita Woodall; brothers, Jesse, Chris and Nathan Almazan; three grandchildren; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.