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.
Berna (Bunny) Almeda Smith
Berna (Bunny) Almeda Smith, 98, of Kailua-Kona, died on Jan. 22. Born in Manitoba, Canada, she immigrated to U.S. in 1960 and married Mark Smith (Smitty) from Oregon and enjoyed animals, gardening and being outdoors. A beachside memorial will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday (March 5) with family and close friends. Casual attire. Survived by sister, Shirley Joanne Carmen of Manitoba; niece, Wendy Hallberg of Vernon, British Columbia; and nephew, Kevin Coburn, of Vernon, British Columbia. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
George Keoki Hanohano Sr.
George Keoki Hanohano Sr., 87, of Hilo died Jan. 13 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Hawaii County police officer, retired Securitas airport police officer and member of Island Praise Ministry. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday (March 9) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by sons, George (Trudy) Hanohano Jr., Donovan Hanohano, Charles (Lurae) Hanohano, Joseph Hanohano and John (Haunani) Hanohano of Hilo; daughters, Georgiana “Peaches” Kopper, Donna Hanohano, Charlee Ann (Elswood) Noeau and Kuuipo (Kevin) Lyman of Hilo; brothers, Charles Hanohano of Hilo and Henry (Bunches) Hanohano of Honolulu; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Poai and George Poai of Hilo, Dennis (Ellen) Poai of Kona; sisters-in-law, Mabel Iopa, Sybil (Jim) Evans and Cathy Ann (John) Simmons of Hilo; 24 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Warlita “Warling” Vermudez Manuel
Warlita “Warling” Vermudez Manuel, 78, of Pahoa died Jan. 28 at home. Born in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a laborer for Asia Pacific Flower and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Prayer service 6:30 p.m. Friday (March 8) at the family home, 15-3268 Hoopili St. in Pahoa. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday (March 9) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Alfredo Manuel of Pahoa; daughters, Gina (Nelson Basilio) Manuel of Keaau and Aileen (Steven Chastain) Manuel of Texas; son, Michael (Janelle Gebin) Manuel of Keaau; sister, Patricia Baligad of Delano, Calif.; brother, Jose (Anseta) Vermudez of Keaau; sister, Clarita (Maximo Inay) Vermudez of Delano, Calif.; sister, Imelda (Elmer) Pitpit of Pahoa; six grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard Ho‘okahi Akao
Richard Ho‘okahi Akao, 76, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 15 at Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired Hawaiian Airlines agent and a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Services held. Condolences: P.O. Box 6004, Kamuela, HI 96743. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Diana Lynn Akao of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Shannon (Herbie) Ako of Kailua-Kona and Desirée Daughtry of Waikoloa; brother, Wayne Akao of Las Vegas; sister, Cynthia Akao, of Kealakekua; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild; an aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Howard “Smitty” Perkins Smith Jr.
Howard “Smitty” Perkins Smith Jr., 82, of Hilo died Feb. 13 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in East Orange, N.J., he was a retired electronics technician for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Navy veteran, deacon and member of Kaumana Drive Baptist Church and member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Kaumana Drive Baptist Church, 388 Kaumana Dr. Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Graveside urn committal service 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Beverly Smith; children, Tonya (Frank) Hardin Santos, Allen (Lenora) Smith, Tracy A. Hardin, Toni (Eric) Clark, Tina Hardin and Howard (Gwendolyn) Smith III; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Mabel Ilima Kaua
Mabel Ilima Kaua, 87, of Hilo died Feb. 8. Born in Kohala, she worked in Coordinated Services for the county and was a member of Pillar of the Church of the Living God. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 8, at Ballard Family Mortuary Chapel. Service at 11 a.m. Survived by sons, Guy (Marvi) Ching and Delbert “Pee-Wee” Ching Jr.; daughter, Cheryl-Ann Ching; stepchildren, Joey (Peggy) Kaua, Shane Kaua, John (Caroline) Kaua, Merle (Sidney) Liborio and Tammy Kaua; brother, Emil Bader; sisters Anna Sugata and Karleen Spaulding; two grandchildren, 16 step-grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Matilda Laielawai Keith
Matilda Laielawai Keith, 74, of Waikaloa, died on Jan. 24 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she was a part owner of a construction company and also owner of a real estate company. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at 68-1896 Auhili Loop, Waikaloa. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Donald P. Keith; daughter Melynnie Leavey, two grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Debra J. Green
Debra J. Green, 64, of Holualoa, died on Feb. 5 at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in Kealakekua, she was retired from Providence Hospital in Las Vegas. A Celebration Of Life will take place at 10 a.m. on March 9 at Otec Beach. Casual attire. For information contact Bernet Carvalho at (808) 315-1023. Condolences can be sent to Barbara Carvalho, P.O. Box 142, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725. Survived by sons, Andre Green of Texas, Darrell (Kira) Green of Colorado and Jonathan Green of Florida; mother, Barbara Carvalho of Holualoa; brothers, Corey (Janice) Carvalho of Kalaoa and Sheldon (Tiffany) Carvalho Of Mountain View; sister, Bernet Carvalho of Kalaoa, 9 grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sherman Henry Veltkamp
Sherman Henry Veltkamp, 86, of Bozeman, Mont., died Feb. 20 in Kealakakua. Born in Bozeman, Mont., he was a CPA with his own accounting firm and a U.S. Army veteran. Private services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by wife, Eva; daughters, Katie (Josh) Keehr of Bozeman, Mont., Christie (Burl) Williams of Lewistown, Mont., Kim (John) Grace of Spokane, Wash., and Wendy (Albert) Dickson of Matthews, N.C.; son, Joe (Ben) Veltkamp of Bremerton, Wash.; sister, Carolyn Coke of Grand Rapids, Mich.; brothers, Vern (Nita) Veltkamp of Bozeman, Mont., Larry Veltkamp of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Darrell (Shirley) Veltkamp of Vancouver, Wash.; seven grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.