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.
Julia “Julie” Rodrigues
Julia “Julie” Rodrigues, 88, of Papaikou died March 13 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honomu, She was a retired proof operator for First Hawaiian Bank and member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial noon at Homelani Memorial Park, Section 7. Survived by children, Marleen Thomas of Papaikou, Nancy Menton of California, Roberta (Mark) Lammerier of Minnesota, Daniel Wayne Rodrigues of Honolulu and Phyllis (Dale) Sweeney of Washington; brother, David (Eleanor) Gusman of Keaau; sister, Sharon (Jim) Giblin of Tacoma, Wash.; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Mark “Jay” Ortega Ulep
John Mark “Jay” Ortega Ulep, 31, of Naalehu died March 9 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in San Miguel, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines, he was a Colorado Technical University graduate with a Master of Science degree in criminal justice-homeland security and University of Hawaii at Hilo graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology. All-night vigil from 2 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the family home, 95-5582 Nahele St. in Naalehu. Graveside committal service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Survived by parents, Danilo and Luzviminda Ulep of Naalehu; brother, Daniel Ulep of Naalehu; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Genoa Kauhi Kalama
Genoa Kauhi Kalama, 56, of Waimea died Feb. 15 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Kailua, Oahu, she worked as a personal caregiver and enjoyed playing ukulele and sharing her love of music with others. Services at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea with lunch to follow. Casual attire. Flowers welcome. Bring your ukulele and jam some songs in her memory. Survived by brothers, Matthew (Laurie) Kalama of Pahoa and Lincoln (Vanessa) Kalama of Waimea; many nieces and nephews and several hanai family members. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Rowland “Mr. T” Leroy Tavares
Rowland “Mr. T” Leroy Tavares, Sr., 82, of Hilo, died Jan. 25 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Hakalau, he was a retired power mower operator supervisor for the State Department of Education, baggage handler for the former Aloha Airlines and U.S. Navy veteran. Visitation 1-2 p.m. on Saturday (April 6) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service at 2 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by daughters, Vinel Sugino and Wendi (Kunani) Simmons; son, Rowland “Boy” Tavares Jr.; brother, Jude (Donna) Tavares; brother-in-law, Frank Sonny (Dayle) Santos; sisters-in-law, Martha (Walter) Ahuna, Ida (Jesus) Perez, Nellie (Ben) Fejeran, Teresa Ignacio, Bernadette (Robert) Soares, Etta NacNac, Lurline Milare and Marie (Ronald) Coleman; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Kaluawailehua Young Jr.
George Kaluawailehua Young Jr., 74, of Hilo, died March 19 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and Vietnam war veteran. Visitation 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 5 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Fumiko Young of Hilo; son, George Young III of Hilo; daughters, Lynn (Christopher) Viale of France, Sherri (Shane Hanohano) Young and Kimi (James Skyles) Young-Skyles of Papaikou; brothers, Clarence Young of Hilo and Rudolph (Joydee) Young of Keaau; sisters, Melinda (Tim) Lovejoy of Florida and Kapeka Nonaka of Honolulu; two grandsons; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hedy (DeLima) Franklin
Hedy (DeLima) Franklin, 81, of Keaau, died Feb. 26 at Legacy of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she worked in hotel management, banking, and finished her career as office manager at a prominent dental facility in Hilo. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Celebration of Life Mass at 9:30 a.m.; burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire. No flowers. Survived by daughters, Lisa Kapika and Jean Franklin; sisters, Eileene DeLima, Katie (Leroy) Perez and Marlene (Reggie) Leite; sister-in-law, Geraldine DeLima; brother-in-law, Clifford “Chucky” Waiau; 3 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
June Harue Tanouye
June Harue Tanouye, 84, of Kohala died March 19. Born in Kohala, she was a retired nursery gardener. Viewing 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Ballard Family Mortuary in Hilo. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at Kohala Jodo Mission, 54-541 Kapaau Rd. in Kapaau. Service at 11 a.m. Survived by daughters, Gail (Roy) Kinumatsu of Honolulu and Linda (Alterry) Murai of Kohala; brother, Gary Kato of the Philippines; sisters, Susan Kato of Honolulu, Eiko Kaohu and Sally Kato of Kohala, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Theresa Keapookalani Mahi
Theresa Keapookalani Mahi, 92, of Kalaoa, Kona, died March 14 at home. Born in Makapala, Kohala, she was a retired housekeeper for Keauhou Beach Hotel and member of Hawaiian Civic Club, Holy Rosary and St. Michael’s Catholic churches. All-night vigil 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at her home, 73-4149 Hawaii Belt Rd., in Kalaoa, Kona. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, April 12 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. Survived by daughter, Agnes (Patrick) Barrozo of Kalaoa, Kona; son, Kaleo (Delina) Mahi of Alaska; hanai sons, Kalima (Kula) Victor of Kailua-Kona, Erik (Yumiko) Warner of Waikoloa and William Elisaga of Oahu; brother, Charles Phillip of Florida; sisters, Cynthia Hatanaka of California and Vivian Kim of Kohala; hanai sister, Christine (David) Shima of Honolulu; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangement by Dodo Mortuary.
Clotilda “Tillie” DeMello
Clotilda “Tillie” DeMello, 97, of Honokaa died March 23. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday, April 12, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Mass at 10 a.m. Burial at a later date. No flowers please. Condolences to: Skip DeMello, P.O. Box 172, Honokaa, HI 96727. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by children, Damien “Skip” (Dee) DeMello, Raymond “Sparky” DeMello and Cindy (Morgan) Matsumura, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.