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.
Mark Kalei
“Boogs” Evangelista
Mark Kalei “Boogs” Evangelista, 44, of Hilo died Dec. 14 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a driver for Kwiki Taxi and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council. Private services held. Survived by sisters, Rose Bellaver, Gail Martinellie, Jean (George) Pang, Joyce Kekahuna, MaryJo (Roy) Victorino and Delphine Kealoha; brother, Gary Evangelista; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and numerous great-grandnephews.
Joseph Kho Ting
Joseph Kho Ting, 74, of Naalehu died Dec. 22 at home. Born in Manila, Philippines, he was a mechanical engineer, retired adjunct professor of applied thermodynamics at University of Hawaii at Manoa, worked at Brier Manufacturing Company and National Research Council of Canada, member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. Private services. No flowers. Memorial donations to Hawaii Care Choices. Survived by wife, Monique Crenn Ting; children, Audrey (Zachary) Schmook and William (Alexis) Ting; sisters, Cecilia Ting Tan, Emiliana Ting, Brigida Ting Lee and Florence Ting Hunt; brothers, Anthony Ting, Jerome Ting and Jeffrey Ting; three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Antone “Tony” Roy Silva
Antone “Tony” Roy Silva, 84, of Kailua-Kona died Dec. 18 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Makaweli, Kauai, he was owner-operator of 50th State Limousine and Orchid Isle Limousine, a former Honolulu police officer and U.S. Army veteran. No services. Survived by children, Antone, Regina, Roy, Pumehana and Robin; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William Kealohaokalani Kamahele
William Kealohaokalani Kamahele, 81, of Hilo died Dec. 20 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired truck driver for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co. Visitation 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 17) at the Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Service at 12:30 p.m. Burial to follow at the Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by brothers, James (Jill) Kamahele of Sonoma, Calif., and Oliver (Harriet) Kamahele of California; an aunt, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Russell Kaulana Bento
Russell Kaulana Bento, 60, of Hakalau died Dec. 16 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was self-employed landscaper. Private services held. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by daughter, Crystal (Mino Kalima) Bento of Oahu; son, Cason Bento-Wheeless of Hilo; brothers, Ronald (Audrey) Bento of Keaau and Rayce (Gail) Bento of Hilo; sisters, Ranette (Mark) Mihara of Pepeekeo and Ronnie Bento of Hilo; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lydia Palalay Agustin
Lydia Palalay Agustin, 68, of Pahala died Dec. 16 at home. Born in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was machine operator for Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co. and member of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). Visitation 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Visitation again 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Burial 11:30 a.m. at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by husband, Pedelino Agustin of Pahala; sons, Stewart Agustin of Oahu, Scott Agustin of Germany and Shane Agustin of Pahala; brothers, Rogelio (Cecilia) Palalay of Pahala and Daniel (Leilani) Palalay of Oahu; sister, Cornelia Rondolo of Philippines; brother in-law, Manuel Jode of Philippines; grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Maurice Hitoshi Kameda
Maurice Hitoshi Kameda, 79, of Kealakekua died Dec. 15 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honokaa, he was a retired night auditor for Royal Kona Resort and U.S. Army veteran. Visitation 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Kealakekua. Memorial service at 2 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Janice Kameda of Honalo; brother, Clifford (Maureen) Kameda of Stafford, Va.; an aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert R. Dircks
Robert R. Dircks, 71, of Kapaau died Dec. 30 at home. Born in San Francisco, he retired as principal of Hilo High School, was also principal at Mountain View Elementary School, vice principal at Kealakehe and Hilo Intermediate schools, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kohala Ward, former bishop of Honomakau Ward, fire safety manager at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Security, Kohala High School basketball coach and temple ordinance worker for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. Private services. Survived by wife, Julie Dircks of Kapaau; sons, Ashton (Lehua Ah Sam) Dircks of Kapaau and Manta (Amber) Dircks of Honolulu; daughter, Raven Dircks of Honolulu; mother, Margery Hansen of Kailua-Kona; six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kawailele‘ohi‘ilawe,
aka Charles
“Chocolate” Perez
Kawailele‘ohi‘ilawe, aka Charles “Chocolate” Perez, 71, of Keaukaha died Nov. 21 at his home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired high school social studies teacher, volleyball coach and union representative for Hawaii State Teachers Association. Celebration of life 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Kawananakoa Gym in Keaukaha. Spreading of ashes to follow. Casual attire. Survived by siblings, Wardell (Lana) Lancaster, Etta Lancaster-Eubanks and Terrie Ann (Chris) Perez-Silva of Hilo; hanai daughter, Sandy “Tita” (Kahiku) Tray; an aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rick Turpen
Rick Turpen, 74, of Kurtistown died Sept. 11. He was a science teacher at Pahoa High, fisherman, Ironman triathlete in the 1980s, member of the Green 13 and a social justice warrior who marched on Washington in the 1970s. Talk-story remembrance potluck 1-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 18) at the family home home. No flowers. Memorial donations to World Food Program USA to help fight world hunger and Asheville Humane Society, https://www.ashevillehumane.org/. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Christine; daughter, Roxanne; a grandson. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Kalae Guy Kanehailua
Kalae Guy Kanehailua, aka, Guy Kalae Sellers, 58, died on Sept. 22. Born in Nanakuli, he was a commercial fisherman, built rock walls, pools and fire pits, was an artist and enjoyed playing guitar, ukulele, harmonica and loved to sing. No services. Survived by sister, Virginia Pua Ramos of Kona. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Agnes Yamauchi
Agnes Yamauchi, 94, of Honaunau died Jan. 3 at home. She was born in Honolulu. No services. Survived by sons, Keith Yamauchi of Kailua, Kurtis (Kristin) Yamauchi of Honaunau, Kris Yamauchi of Kailua-Kona and Karl Yamauchi of Las Vegas; six grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.