Obituaries

Friday, July 31, 1998

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CHA3's Tiwanak remembered
for unique boxing style,
impressive record

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

He fought for his moment in the boxing sun and triumphed.

Marino Tiwanak, amateur flyweight boxing champ of Hawaii in the mid-1940s, died Wednesday at age 71.

Tiwanak was born to Filipino immigrant parents and raised in Kakaako, said his sole surviving brother, Raymond. Their father was an athlete, and all four Tiwanak boys were suited up for the ring.

"He was very popular with the fans. He had a showy style like Sugar Ray Leonard," Raymond said. "He was good-looking kid, too, nice guy."

Tiwanak, weighing just 118 pounds, developed a unique boxing style that quickly gained attention, recalled Bobby Lee, vice president of the World Boxing Council and a state boxing expert.

"He was a great fighter out of Kakaako, a top-notch amateur," Lee said. "He was a stylish boxer that resembled the old-style fighters who stood up straight."

Tiwanak boxed for just three years -- in 1945, 1947 and 1948 -- but racked up an impressive winning record, said Michael Machado, executive officer of the Hawaii State Boxing Commission. Tiwanak won 14 fights in a row, then had a draw, then lost in a knock-out, Machado said.

In all, Tiwanak won 18 fights, had three draws and lost four.

"Fourteen wins in a row is impressive for anybody starting out," Machado said.

Tiwanak made Ring Magazine as fighter of the month, his brother said. But perhaps Tiwanak's greatest moment came when he entered the ring against world champion Dado Marino, Machado said. He lost in a knock-out.

In 1948, Tiwanak returned to Hawaii from California and fought his last fight. He won a four-round match against Billy Bolilan and collected $51.06, 3 percent of the gross gate, Machado said.

Unlike the rowdy reputations of some boxers, "This kid was a very likable, law-abiding young man," Lee said. "He didn't get into mischief, and he was very disciplined."

Tiwanak left boxing shortly after he married his wife, Vivian. He worked for Pan American Airways as a mechanic and retired in 1982. He devoted his retirement to teaching karate in the karate club Central Hawaiian Activities-3 Kenpo Brotherhood Association in Aiea.

"He was the big cheese in the karate club," his brother said. "He walked, talked, ate and slept karate."

Tiwanak died after going into cardiac arrest following open-heart surgery to replace a valve.

He is survived by his wife; sons Lee and Michael; brother Raymond; sisters Gladys Sevener and Thelma Ligsay; and eight grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Rosita R. Awai, 63, of Molokai, director of housekeeping with the Kaluakoi Hotel and Golf Course, died Wednesday in Honolulu. Born in Haleiwa, Hawaii, she is survived by son James; sisters Basilia Fry, Severa Ebos, Helena Howell and Maria Lopez; brother Marcus Raposas; and hanai daughter Evelia. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Kaluakoi Hotel in Molokai, on the beach fronting the hotel. Scattering of ashes to follow. Aloha attire.

Richard H. Bautista, 67, of Honokaa, Hawaii, a retired patrol operator with Hamakua Sugar, died last Friday at home. Born in Kalopa, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Perseveranda P. “Percy”; daughters Alma and Shawna; parents Pedro and Recarda; brother Ernest; and sisters Rosaline Keller and Elsie Millard. Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at Honokaa Catholic Church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

Elizabeth Bishop, 75, of Kailua died Wednesday in Hospice House in Kailua. Born in Oregon, she is survived by sons Dr. Jerry, David, Thomas and Charles Johnson; daughter Judy Koahu; brother Walter Mundy; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Private services.

Ronald R. Biton, 59, of Honolulu, who retired from Oahu Painting & Decorating Inc., died July 22 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sons Sheldon and Ronald; daughters Michelle Brede and Roshawn-Li Biton; sisters Marilyn Crespo and Janet McKinney; and 11 grandchildren. Wake services: 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: noon Monday at the mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Robert M. Caywood Jr., 50, of Oklahoma City and formerly of Honolulu, died July 7 in Oklahoma City. Born in Norman, Okla., he is survived by children April, Joshua and Christie; mother Mary A.; brothers John C. and Charles R.; grandmother Hortense Gall; and stepfather John S. Farmer. Services on the mainland.

Violet K. Deimel, 81, of Waialua, a former nurse's aide, died Monday. Born in Hanalei, Kauai, she is survived by brother Ralph Kawano. Memorial services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Ka Hana O Ke Akua Church, 85-256 Farrington Highway in Waianae. Casual attire. No flowers.

Enji Fujimoto, 95, of Hanamaulu, Kauai, a retired carpenter with Lihue Plantation Co., died July 20 in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born in Yamaguchi Ken, Japan, he is survived by wife Kiyoe; sons Kenneth and Gilbert; brother Yoshimi; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services held.

Abel M. Gonsalves, 76, of Pukali, Maui, died Wednesday in Castro Valley, Calif. He is survived by wife Cyrilla; children Clayton, Joseph and “Buteh” Gonsalves, Angel Meyer and Sherry Raposa; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services on the mainland.

Kashiku Goto, 91, of Pearl City died July 23 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Haleiwa, she is survived by sons Clifford K. and Wilfred T.; daughters Ellen S. Tanaka, Alice S. Nagai and Jane T. Sasagawa; brother Chisato Sato; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services held.

Emily R. Hughes, 82, died Saturday. She is survived by husband Frank, son David and brother Charles Rawlings. Services on the mainland. Donations suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Rudolph “Kaui” Kanui, 47, of Honolulu, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by mother Annie, sisters Kawehi K. Gill and Octavia Lynch and brother Bal. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Aug. 8 at St. George Church in Waimanalo. Call after 9:30 a.m. Casual attire.

Isaac K. “Ike” Kuroiwa, 87, of Kaneohe, a proprietor of Ike's Billiard & Sports Supplies, died Monday in Maunalani Nursing Home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Lillian; son Melvin; daughters Joyce Morita, Faith Kaneshiro and Adele Tasaka; brothers Shizuto and Yusuke Kuroiwa and Miyuki Nakahara; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Gafoa S. Leaeno, 62, of Honolulu, a former manager for Seabreeze Clothing Warehouse & Distributors, died July 16 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Fagali‘i, Tutuila, American Samoa, he is survived by wife Saualofa; daughters Lucille Fasavalu, La‘ala‘ai Howard, Siolo Sala, Lila Johnson and Emma Masani; brother Fa‘afouina; sisters Taumaia Soi, Fiatagata Tuisamatatele, Tautinei Faumuina and Tanimo Leaeno; and 15 grandchildren. Wake services: 2 p.m. Sunday at First Samoan Congregational Christian Church, UCC Moanalua, 602 Turner Ave. Services: 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park.

Isaac K. Nahinu, 17, of Lahaina, a student at Lahainaluna High School, died Wednesday at home. Born in Wailuku, he is survived by mother Wanette Kawahara, stepfather Darren Kawahara, brother Isaiah Kawahara, sister Rebecca and grandparents Llewellyn and Winona Akiona and Robert and Helen Kawahara. Services: 11 a.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: noon Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

George O. Nakahara, 70, of Honolulu, a retired Conagra Corp. branch house controller, died July 17 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sisters-in-law Muriel and Miriam, niece Jo Ann, and nephew Alan. Private services.

The Rev. Hidekichi Nakamoto, 102, of Honolulu, a retired minister for Tenrikyo Waikiki Church, died July 17 in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Yamaguchi, Japan, he is survived by son Satoshi “John”; daughters Jean F. Inenaga, Flora F. Kabazawa, Ethel H. Hamada and Amy N. Hikita; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Charles S. Onishi, 70, of Mililani, a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, died last Friday in St. Francis-West Hospital. He was also a Hawaii stevedore. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by daughter Sandra Busk; brothers Kenneth, Stanley and Ted; and two grandchildren. Graveside services: 3 p.m. Monday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.

Harry Reese, 88, of Waianae is also survived by sister Mary Labatag. Additional information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Tadao Yonashiro, 83, of Honolulu, a retired wholesale produce delivery driver, died Monday in Hale Pulama Mau. Born in Kihei, Maui, he is survived by wife Yoshiko; sons Harold Y., Paul C. and Dan N.; daughter Doris N. Oshiro; brother Harry; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.