Obituaries

Friday, April 23, 1999

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Molokai activist
Anna Ritte dies at 73

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

Anna H. Ritte challenged the legal authority of Maui County to dictate building codes on Hawaiian homestead land and won.

Ritte, 73, of Molokai died April 10.

Her family built a "Hawaiian" house about 10 years ago, but was found guilty of building without permits in Maui Circuit Court.

But she appealed her conviction to the state Supreme Court, where the county agreed to dismiss the complaints.

County attorneys say the county hasn't tried to enforce the code since then.

The house still stands on a hill at Hoolehua overlooking the ocean.

She was the mother of Walter Ritte, who protested the U.S. Navy practice bombing of Kahoolawe in the mid-1970s.

A gathering of friends will take place starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Kaunakakai Baptist Church, followed by services at 11 a.m.

She is survived by her son, Walter; daughters Albion Bethkey, Scarlett Camara, Carla Hanchett, Ella Alcon and Lori Buchanan; brothers Samuel Purdy, Palmer Purdy, James Purdy, Andrew Purdy and Benjamin Purdy; and sisters Bernice Wirtl, Nona Fukuoka, and Kapu Kaiaokamalie.

Kazumi Y. Akita, 82, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Straub Hospital. Born on Maui, she is survived by husband Robert T.; son Clifford T.; daughters Kay K. Fujii and Joan H. Higuchi; brothers Teichi, Kiyoshi, Satoru and Kazuto Yamada; sister Misao Ujimori; and four grandchildren. Services: noon Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Aloha attire.

Billy Hok Sing Cheung, 45, of Honolulu, a restaurant manager with Shanghai Garden Restaurant, died Monday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Hong Kong, he is survived by wife Monalisa; son Sebastian; daughter Vanessa; mother Yuk Kei Hung; father Loong Po Lau; brother Edward Lau; and sisters Eudora, Ewa and Patsy Lau. Call from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Alice Conley, 88, of Pearl City died March 26 in Liliha Health Center. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by son Robert, sister Harriet Hansmann, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. No services.

Kim You Dang, 72, of Wailuku, retired owner of Truck Parts and Machinery, died Wednesday in Maui Memorial Hospital. He was also a Realtor and worked with Van Hamm Young and Datsun of Maui. Born in Kahului, he is survived by wife Po Chee; sons Kelvin, Clement and Bruce; daughter Stephanie Carvalho; brother Kim Key; sister Teresa; and five grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call from 1 to 5 p.m. Burial: 2:30 p.m. Monday at Maui Memorial Park.

Alice De Motta, 88, of Mineola, Texas, died April 14. Born in Paauilo, Hawaii, she is survived by sons George S., Donald and Thomas; daughters Shirley Schones and Jeanette La Pointe; brother Freddie; sister Anntenina; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Services and burial on the mainland.

Delfin D. “Del” Deleon, 56, of Livermore, Calif., died April 14 in Valley Memorial Hospital in California. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by daughters Danielle Hoopii and Wendy Gabonia, mother Dandina D., sisters DeLynda DeLeon and Doreen Drollard, brother Daniel and a grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Call again from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Aquilino M. Galiza, 89, of Waialua, who retired from Waialua Sugar Plantation, died April 14 in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Remigia R. “Nena;” daughters Carolyn, Cherylyn, Christine and Cynthia; brother Lazaro; stepsister Dominga; and a grandson. Wake services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary- Waipio, makai chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park.

Georgia L. Hayman, 93, of Kaneohe died April 8. Born in Rolla, Mo., she is survived by daughter Wilma Clayton, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 3 p.m. May 4 at Central Union Church.

Raymond P. Jellings, 80, of Honolulu, a retired major in the U.S. Army, died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by brother David Jr. and sisters Mabel Willis and May Nahalea. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Memorial Park. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: noon Tuesday at Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace Church. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Roy K. Kamegawa, 71, of Las Vegas died April 10. Born in Kapaau, Hawaii, he is survived by son Miles; daughters Doreen Thornton, Cheryl Chinen, Janice Kawasaki and Avis Konishi; brothers Hatsuichi and Gilbert; sisters Emiko Aihara, Jeanette Wong and Gail Kaku; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services.

Shima A. “Uncle” Kapahu, 69, of Kahaluu is survived by daughter Mayvis B. Kapahu Dias. Incorrect information for an obituary published Wednesday provided by the mortuary.

Agnes Y. Kimura, 85, of Honolulu, a retired sales clerk for Lani's Sportswear, died Wednesday in Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility. Born in Waimea, Kauai, she is survived by brothers Shinge, Haruo and Masaru; and sisters Esther Yachiyo Woods, Mitsuko Hookano, Tomiko Akuna and Yoshiko Young. Private services.

Stanley R. Lorenzo, 73, of Pahala, Hawaii, a retired County of Hawaii Parks and Recreation employee, died Tuesday in Kau Hospital. He was also a heavy equipment operator for Mizuno & Sons and Shintaku Enterprise, a school bus driver, a certified lifeguard by Duke Kahanamoku, and a U.S. Army veteran. Born in Pahala, Hawaii, he is survived by sons Stanley R. “Stanley Boy” Jr., William S. and Frank J.; daughter Lenora M. “Tita” Lorenzo-Oleyte; brothers Wilmet and Howard; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at the Frank Lorenzo residence, 42 Ilima St. in Pahala, Hawaii. All-night visitation after 6 p.m. Mass: 9 a.m. Tuesday at Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

Juan Martinez-Espinosa, 36, of Kihei, a kitchen helper at Pizza Cafe, died Saturday in Kahului. Born in Puebla, Mexico, he is survived by wife Laureen Espinosa, parents Mario and Teresa, son Juan Espinosa Jr., seven sisters, and four brothers. Mass: 2 p.m. tomorrow at Christ the King Catholic Church. Call after 1 p.m. Burial in Mexico at a later date.

Joe Meekhof, 87, of Kihei, Hawaii, a business owner of stores, died Tuesday in Kahului Hale Makua. He was also a prisoner of war during World War II. Born in McBain, Mich., he is survived by wife Ruth; sons Murray, Jack J. and Jim; daughter Mary Beth Evans; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Monday at Keolahoe Church in Kihei. Aloha attire.

Richard W. Mehrmann, 44, of Honolulu will be remembered in scattering of ashes at sea 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Kaimana Beach. Additional information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Betty F. Okutani, 81, of Honolulu is survived by brother Robert Yukitomo. Incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Robert R. Shimaoka, also known as “Captain Shima,” “Riki” and “Bobby,” 59, of Mililani, a retired harbor operations boat operator-tug master for Hawaiian Tug & Barge, died April 13 in Straub Hospital. He also served in the U.S. Navy. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Shirley N.; daughters Renette U. Kaahanui and Rolene “Lianne” Shimaoka-Lopez; brothers Clarence “Sonny,” Roland and Walter “Bobo;” sisters Martha “Kuulei” Sarme, Irene “Sweetheart” Shimaoka, Marjorie “Margie” Malczon and Myrtle Fujimoto; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Hon Po Yong, 70, of Honolulu died Tuesday at home. Born in Canton, China, he is survived by wife Lin Kiu; sons Paul, Tony, Henry and Kelly; and two grandchildren. Taoist services: 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial: Valley of the Temples.