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.
David Jamora
David Kainoa Okala Jamora, 58, of Keaau, died July 2 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu and was a security guard with Professional Protective Services and was also a judo sensei with the Puna Hongwanji Mission Judo Club. A Celebration of Lifewas held Sept. 23, 2023 at the Puna Hongwanji Mission in Keaau.Survived by wife, Josette Kaohu of Keaau; sons, Michael (Megan Shambaugh) Kaohu of Georgia, Kainoa Kaohu and Hauoli Kikaha of Oahu, Kaena Kaohu and Kala Kaohu of Keaau; daughters, Kaulana (Eric) Triphahn of Kohala, Sandrina (Kawai) Mahuiki of Oahu and Kayla Kaohu of Georgia; brothers, John (Chris) Lopez of Texas, Francis (Sandra) Jamora of Kapolei and William (Tania) Jamora of Oahu; sister, Myrna Jamora of Oahu; hanai brother, Rollie Padello of Oahu; 11 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kealohapau‘ole Wakita
Kealohapau’ole “Kealoha” Wakita, 33, of Hilo, died Aug. 7 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo and was a former service station attendant and was also a member of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Survived by mother, Crystal (Elton Alameda) Wakita of Hilo; sisters, Ashley (Jonathan Rapoza) Wakita and Kainani (Frederick Fiesta, Jr.) Wakita of Hilo; paternal grandmother, Momi Wakita of Hilo; maternal grandparents, William and Gloria Gomes of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Carol Davis
Carol Martha Davis, 86, of Kailua-Kona, died on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at home. She was born on January 5, 1937 in Papaikou, Hawaii. She was the daughter of the late Anthony Perreira Martin and Martha Ishizaki Martin. She worked for the County of Hawaii as a housing inspector and previously worked as an elementary school teacher. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. on Monday (Sept. 25, 2023) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m.; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire, flowers and lei welcomed. Survived by, daughter, Jacqueline Dixon; sons, Anthony (Asako) Davis, Michael (Rebecca) Davis and John (Megan) Davis; hanai daughter, Christina (Ola) Davis; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Toby Moses
Toby Kawika Moses, 39, of Hilo, died Aug. 19 at the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. He was born in Hilo and was a manager at Little Caesers in Hilo. Survived by wife, Noe U. Moses of Hilo; son, Duke Moses of Hilo; mother, Wendy Moses of Hilo; brothers, Bryson (Pua Hauanio) Aiona Aka and Shanon (Kari-Lynne) Andrade-Aiona Aka of Hilo; sister, Staceylyn Aiona Aka of Hilo; maternal grandparents, Cynthia (Peter Lee) Moses of Hilo; paternal grandmother, Gloria Salinas of Hilo; step-father, Derwin Taka of Hilo; step-brothers, Daynan Taka, Justin (Keola) Taka and Sheldon Taka of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Stanley Mc Kee, Jr.
Stanley Robert Mc Kee, Jr., 73, of Honokaa, and formerly of Milolii, died Aug. 22 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu and was a handyman, was also a Veteran of the US Armed Forces, member of Koa Puna and the CB Radio Club where his local handle was Aloja 411 and on the mainland he was known as 17 Alfa Tango 411. Private memorial services held.Survived by caregiver and granddaughter, Sherilyn Grace of Ocean View; five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, one great great grandson; numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marian Kihara
Marian Yuriko Kihara, age 85, of Pahoa, Hawaii passed away on August 22, 2023 in the Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii on May 6, 1938 and retired as the Secretary of the former RAK Repair in Hilo. She was also employed at the former Mall Foods Snack Bar in Hilo as a Cook and was a member of the Honomu Henjoji Mission (Odaishisan) in Honomu, Hawaii. Private services held. No flowers. No Koden (monetary offerings). On-line condolences at www.dodomortuary.com. She is survived by husband, Richard A. Kihara of Pahoa; sons, Gary (Debbie Connally) Kihara of Volcano and Clyde (Mari) Kihara of Pahoa; daughter, Cynthia (Cory) Shinshiro of Pahoa; brothers, Walter (Ruby) Hiraishi of Kailua, Oahu and Jack (Gail) Hiraishi of Honolulu; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Susan Uribe
Susan Hatsue Kidani Uribe, 77, of Papaaloa died Aug. 28 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Paauilo, she was a retired office clerk at the former Hawaii Beef Packers and Ookala Mill. No services. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Jeff Uribe of Papaaloa; brother, Myron (Julie) Kidani of Kalopa; sister, Carolyn (David) Fuertes of Kapaau. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Christine Saplan
Christine Barbadillo Saplan, 97, Hilo, Hawaii died on Monday, September 4, 2023 at home. She was born on July 24, 1926 in Pahoa, Hawaii. Christine attended Naalehu Elementary School and was a 1945 graduate of Hilo High School. She was married for 60 years to Juan Saplan and together raised six children. Among other things, she provided crucial administrative support to the many business ventures she and her husband started including: Saplan Service Station and Saplan Trucking Service in Naalehu, and a coffee farm in Honomalino. In the 1960s, they started Saplan Bus Service which provided student transportation initially in Kailua, Keauhou, Captain Cook, and later Ocean View, Naalehu, Pahala, Volcano, Mountain View and Hilo. Christine had her own route driving a school bus van. Christine sang with local bands and acted in community theatre in Ka’u, played tennis and softball and was a Catechism teacher at Naalehu Sacred Heart Catholic church. Her main interest and joy was always spending time with family. Private services were held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Preceded in death by, husband, Juan Lapitan Saplan and daughter, Audrey Saplan. Survived by, sister, Julita Acojido; children, Yolanda (Joe) Gutierrez, Sandra (Jim) Pedersen, John Jr. (Marilyn) Saplan, Deidre (Wendell) Sumic and Joan (Sean) McWilliams; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other close relatives. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Herman Van Velzer
Herman Briggs Van Velzer, Jr., 87, of Hilo died Sept. 5 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Iowa, he was an owner of an investment company, member of Connect Point Church and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Private services held. Survived by wife, Sylvia Van Velzer of Hilo; daughter, Anna (Owen) Marie Matsui of Hilo; granddaughter, Keona Marie Matsui of Hilo. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mary Moniz
Mary Caravalho Moniz, 90, of Kapaau, died on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Life Care Center of Hilo. She was born on January 23, 1933 in Holualoa, Hawaii. She was a retired dining room supervisor for the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. She was a member of the Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Kohala Puerto Rican Social Club. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday ,Oct. 7, 2023 at Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.; burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery. Casual elegant attire is requested. Survived by, husband, Robert Moniz of Kapaau; children, Robin Moniz of Honolulu, Oahu, Bobbie Jean Moniz of Baker City, Oregon, Roberta (Rudy) Garcia of Hawi, Dudley Moniz of Waimea and Ricky Moniz of Kona; brothers, Richard (Thelma) Caravalho of Kohala and Claude (Sandy) Caravalho, Jr. of Kohala; sister, Elizabeth (Alec) Mattos of Hilo; 7 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alexander Apo
Alexander John Kema Apo, 92, of Hilo, Passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. Born on July 10, 1931, in Milolii; he was a self-employed Professional Beach Boy in Waikiki for 44 Years. He also was a graduate of Kamehameha School and a Veteran in the US Marine Corps. After retiring from the Beach he moved to Hilo and became a flower farmer. aAA Celebration of His Life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is survived by Raymond Bumatay Ohana of Hilo, Numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Hartness
David John Hartness, 73, of Volcano, died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center. He was born on May 21, 1950 in Oswego, New York. For information on his Celebration of Life, please visit: www.dodomortuary.com. Survived by, wife, Shizuko Hartness of Volcano; mother, Gladys Hartness of Honolulu, Oahu; siblings, Linda Hewitt of Mililani, Oahu, Dianne (Bruce) Barrett of Honolulu, Oahu, Paula (Allen) Platt of Arizona and Karen (Kevin) Francesco of North Pole, Alaska; numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gwendolyn Matsui
Gwendolyn Harriett Matsui (Akana) born on November 9, 1931, in Honolulu passed away at home in Waimea on September 12, 2023 from natural causes. Mother of 6, she was predeceased by 3 children; Merlott Edwards, Stanley McCabe, and Clarence K. Matsui. Gwendolyn is survived by 3 children; M. Nalani Finsand of Kamuela, Hawai’i; Marnett Quiroz of Kailua Kona; and Rey Matsui of Honolulu, Hawai’i; fourteen grandchildren; many great grandchildren. Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Hawi County Cemetery located behind Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi.
Randall Foster
Randall James Foster, 74, of Naalehu, died Sept. 13 at home. He was born in Minneapolis and was an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration, an elections cartographer with the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State, was also a Vietnam Veteran of the US Army, and a member of Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Private services held. Donations may be made to National Jewish Health, a respiratory treatment and research hospital, at nationaljewish.org/giving, in memory of the Late Mr. Foster. Survived by wife, Debra Nutter of Naalehu; daughters, Kelly Rogers and Crissy (Mitch) McCullough of Minnesota, Courtney Foster of Keaau; son, Shawn (Akiko) Garman of Keaau; sister, Barbara (Jim) Kline of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Joanne Foster of Minnesota; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.