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.
Reginald Joseph Wailana Chong
Reginald Joseph Wailana Chong, 83, of Hilo died Jan. 1. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired director of support services for the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council and member of Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association. Visitation 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 23) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. Service at 11 a.m. No flowers. Survived by wife, Evelyn Chong of Hilo; sons, Vaughn (Tanya) Chong of Kailua, Oahu, Miles (Ardis) Chong and Ryan (Gabrielle) Chong of Hilo; brother, Henry (Brenda) Chong of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Cynthia Chong of Laie, Oahu; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Romona Ponce
Romona Ponce, 94, of Pahala died Dec. 15 at Ka‘u Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired employee of the former Pahala and Hoomalino macadamia nut companies and member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pahala. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Pahala Catholic Church Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Moses (Melodie) Ponce of Louisiana, Jonathan (Angela) Ponce of Hilo, Calvin Glen (Sharon) Ponce and Antoni (Bernay) Ponce of Pahala, Alan (Crystal) Ponce of Keaau; sister, Ceasaria Salmo of Naalehu; 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Vi-Lani Pihanakalani Robertson
Vi-Lani Pihanakalani Robertson, 89, of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, formerly of Coos Bay, Ore., died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Pearl City, Oahu, she was a registered nurse at the former Leeward Hospital, Waimano Home and Hawaii State Hospital Psychiatric Ward, singer-entertainer under the name Vi-Lani Ortiz and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 20) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. Funeral services 10 a.m. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary. Urn Committal at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Survived by daughters, April Beam of Aiea, Oahu, and Le’Ann Puanani (Norm Pabre) Pabingwit of HOVE; brothers, Howard (Priscilla) Ortiz of Mililani, Oahu, and Glenn Ortiz of Las Vegas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Thomas Soares, Sr.
Thomas Soares, Sr., 75, of Pepeekeo, died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a 30-year employee for the Hilo Coast Sugar Company and had a professional yard service business for more than 40 years. Visitation to be held from 9-9:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, with memorial Mass at 9:30 a.m. and lunch to follow at Parish Hall. No flowers. Survived by wife Lynette Payao-Soares of Pepeekeo; children Angela Pung, Tyson McDowell, Jonnette Soares-Padilla, Kelly (Patrick) Figueroa, Alan (Sherry) Soares and Thomas (Donna) Soares, Jr.; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leonora Cumlat Laurente
Leonora Cumlat Laurente, 94, of Hilo, died Jan. 1 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Bangui in the Philippines, she was a homemaker and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where visitation will be held between 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Jan. 20. Funeral Mass to be held at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual Attire. Survived by children Jaime (Adele) Aguinaldo of Papaikou, Levi (Pamela) Aguinaldo of Kahului and Madeline (Mario) Cabalar of Hilo; sister Virginia Abalos of the Philippines; sister-in-law Erlinda Cumlat of Pepeekeo; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Linda Ann Kailiawa
Linda Ann Kailiawa, 73, of Pahala died Nov. 29 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Waimea, she was a homemaker and member of Jehovah’s Witnesses Ka‘u Congregation. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Pahala Community Center. Survived by children, Georgette (Moto) Kailiawa of Pahala, Georgina (Henry) Kailiawa-Chung of Volcano, Georgia Kailiawa and Georgeana (Chel) Kailiawa of Pahala, Leeann (Raymond) Bruno of Highland, Ind., George (Talima) Kailiawa Jr. and Blossom (Derek) Kailiawa of Pahala, Jackie (Kaori) Kailiawa of Volcano, Justin (Courtney) Kailiawa of Milolii, Ava Kailiawa and Cherish (Jesse) Kailiawa of Pahala, Steven (Norine) Lauro of Kona; 28 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Helen Hart Aganus
Helen Hart Aganus, 89, of Papaaloa died Dec. 14 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Paauilo, she was a retired secretary for Hamakua Medical Center and member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 20) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Honokaa Catholic Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Gary Aganus of Honokaa; daughter, Garolyn Aganus Akiona of Kona; son, Stacy Aganus of Honokaa; sisters-in-law, Caroline Hart and Kazue Hart of Honokaa, Charlene (Michael) Sohriakoff of Kona, Jane Aganus of Waimea; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ellen Maloney Currens
Ellen Maloney Currens, 82, died on Jan. 2 in Palm Bay, Florida. Born in Indianapolis, she was an avid volunteer who was involved with many organizations. Her long-time involvement with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, as a volunteer and a donor, began when she lived in Memphis and she continued it while she lived in Kailua-Kona. She also volunteered for VASH, Habitat for Humanity, St. Michael the Archangel church in Kailua-Kona, and the Outdoor Circle. Services held. Online condolences at afcfcare.com. Survived by husband, Hilton Currens, Jr.; daughter, Molly Currens; son, Ted Currens; sister, Molly Delevett; brother, Mayer Maloney, Jr. and 5 grandchildren. Arrangements by Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, Fla.
Gilbert Takashi Fuke
Gilbert Takashi Fuke, 79, of Hilo died Dec. 1 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired baker at Hilo Intermediate School and a Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Private services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Ronnie Fuke of Tucson, Ariz., Steven Fuke of Hilo and Aaron (Kellie Nagai) Fuke of Hilo; brother, Ronald (Ann) Fuke of Hilo; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kenneth Kenji Nakagawa
Kenneth Kenji Nakagawa, 87, of Hilo died Dec. 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired sales representative for Hilo Candy Co., former branch manager for Marukai and member of the Waiakea Lions Club. Private services held. Survived by wife, Cynthia Nakagawa of Hilo; son, Kevin (Elizabeth) Nakagawa of Hilo; brothers, Eustace (Eleanor) Nakagawa of San Mateo, Calif., Richard Nakagawa of Honolulu and Roy Nakagawa of Honolulu; sister, Emi Nakagawa of Honolulu. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Crayton Sheu Pin Kam
Crayton Sheu Pin Kam, 77, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 23 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired cable splicer for Verizon. Services will be held at a later date. He is survived by his sons, Harlan Tamaye of Kailua, Oahu, Kalani (Kathi) Kam of Kealakekua, Kalei (Aina) Kam of Ariz.; daughter, Anela (Gabriel Lama) Kam, and brother, Clayton (Leesa) Kam, all of Kailua Kona; 5 grandchildren; hanai sons, Chad (Kapua) Kawewehi of Hilo, Saku (Cheyenne) Kitahara of Kona, and Craig Nakao of Honolulu; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary