His hands were strong, tempered by years of laboring in the fields to make a dream come true.

A better life to Primitivo Torres meant an education for his seven children, and all of them got the opportunity to attend college.

Today, two sons are doctors and another is a food-beverage manager. One daughter is a nurse, another is a medical technologist, a third teaches school and a fourth is an artist-cosmetologist.

The third generation, which includes 16 grandchildren, already includes a doctor and an architect.

They are all a fitting tribute to Torres, who died March 24 at age 87, and his wife of 60 years, Dionicia.

"I remember my father driving us to Kona on weekends to pick coffee for $50," Natividad Lagaso said. "My parents always did good honest work and saved money.

"When it came time for us to go to college, they had the finances ready to us," she added. "My mother and father believed education was important and they stuck to that belief."

Primitivo Torres was honored in 1986 on the 40th anniversary of Filipino immigration to Hawaii for "embodying the ideals of the sakada (Filipino immigrant) who came to Hawaii in pursuit of a dream and in search of a better life for himself and for his family."

Torres immigrated from Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

He worked in the Big Island sugar fields from 1946 to 1959. After being laid off, Torres brought his family to Oahu and became a farm worker in Kaaawa.

"We had a small garden and used to sell the extra vegetables for extra money," Lagaso recalled. "My mother used to sew plantation clothing and sell it."

Torres worked as a groundskeeper at Hawaiian Memorial Park and the Pali Golf Course before retiring in 1973. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, woodcrafting and basket weaving during his retirement years.

"My father was really good with his hands and that's one reason I think all of us are so good at crafts," Lagaso said.

Other survivors include sons Ignacio, Mariano and Sam; daughters Pacita Delos Reyes, Tarcila Harp of Willmington, Calif., and Ignacia Flegab, and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services: 7:30 p.m. April 11 and 10 a.m. April 12 at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial to follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Maria P. Ellis, 95, of Honolulu died Saturday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Wahiawa, Kauai, she is survived by sons Robert and Patrick; daughters Marian Ellis, Winona Rubin, Edith Ellis and Dorothy Zeffiro; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Martin H. Embodo, 89, of Lihue, a mill worker with Lihue Plantation, died March 27 in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Argal Cebu, the Philippines, he is survived by brothers in the Philippines. Graveside services: 9 a.m. Monday at Lihue Public Cemetery. Casual attire.

Thomas J. "Waco" Goodson, 78, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired machinist with Rohr Industries, Chula Vista, Calif., died Monday at home. Born in Palestine, Texas, he is survived by wife Rita; sons Gordon, John J., Michael A. and William; daughter Sandra Ray; stepsons Kenneth, James and Robert Klempan; brothers Gerry, Robert, Jack, Joe and Earl; sisters Louise Henkelman and Margie Maxwell; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Sunday at Puula United Church of Christ. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire.

Katherine K.K. Hiu, 87, of Honolulu is also survived by 11 grandchildren. Chinese services: 9-11:45 a.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. Additional information for an obituary Wednesday provided by the mortuary.

Irene A.K. Honjiyo, 79, of Honolulu, a retiree of Liberty House, died Monday in St. Francis Hospice. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Gilbert K.; daughters Shirley Morgado and June Akina; sisters Bernice Hu and Dorothy Neff; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 800 Kaheka St. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: National Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire. No flowers.

Samuel K. Kaaumoana, 39, of Kekaha, Kauai, an irrigation worker with Kekaha Sugar Co., died Wednesday in Kauai Veterans Hospital. Born in Niihau, he is survived by wife Linda; sons Gregory K. and Lance K.; parents John and Kuuleiaukai; sisters Marian Beniamina, Dorothy Simao and Geraldine U. Kanahele; brother Gordon; hanai sister Hazel; hanai brother June; and a hanai granddaughter. Visitation: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday at Garden Island Mortuary. Burial: Kekaha Hawaiian Cemetery.

Samuel A.K. "Sam" Kahalewai, 78, of Hutchinson, Kan. and formerly of Honolulu, died Sunday at home. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a business manager for Marguerite Sours. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sons Charles, Michael and Carl; daughters Carlene Lee and Mamo Laranang; brothers Herman K., David K. and Samuel III; sister Corinthia H. Judd; 16 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Services on the mainland. Donations suggested to Samuel Kahalewai Charitable Memorial Fund in care of Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, Kan.

Yoshio Kajiwara, 88, of Honolulu, a retired warehouse supervisor with BJ Furniture, died Tuesday in Liliha Health Care Center. Born in Koloa, Kauai, he is survived by daughters Betsy K. Kubota and Gail S. Kajiwara; sisters Hatsumi Okazaki and Kimiyo Kajiwara; and a grandson. Private services.

Vernon C.W. Kamahele, 45, of Hilo died Tuesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by mother Cecilia; and brothers Andrew, James, Oliver, Herman and William. Services: noon Monday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

"Syd" Gertrude Kawamae, 73, of Pearl City died Saturday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Pennsylvania, she is survived by husband George; son Ronald; sister Regis Nelms; and a grandson. Private services. Information in an obituary Wednesday was incorrect.

Chong Sun Ku, 58, of Honolulu, the proprietor of a Kam Flea Market business, died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Kyeng Nam City, Korea, she is survived by husband Donny P.; sons Andrew and Tom; brother Chong-Kun Kang; and sister Carol Morton. Services: 2:15 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Kong Wa Lui, 90, of Honolulu, a field service clerk with Heco, died Tuesday in Straub Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Helen Pong; son Ronald; daughters Loretta Kaitoku, Lurena Karimoto and Charlotte Park; six grandchildren; and a grandchild. Services: 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Elizabeth L. Martin, 75, of Honolulu died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Stanley Jr.; sons Vernon L. and Keith W.; daughter Donna J. Brill; brother Dr. Chung T. Lee; sisters Gladys Ing, Dorothy Goo, Margaret Ako and Marion L. Liu; and six grandchildren. Services: 11:15 a.m. next Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Clara A. Masaki, 75, of Honolulu, retired proprietor of Masaki Barber Shop, Liliha, died March 26 in Gardena, Calif. Incorrect information was published in an obituary yesterday.

Becky H. Mauga, 55, of Hilo, a former bus driver with Laupahoehoe Transportation Co. and former taxi driver with Hilo Harry's Taxi and Kekealani Taxi, died last Friday at home. Born in Puuanahulu, Hawaii, she is survived by husband John P.; mother Caroline K. Pereira; sons Clayton, John, Russell and Cameron; daughters Lorna Yamamoto, Lynell Kaili, Lynette Watai and Lei Ann and Caroline Mauga; brother George Pereira; and 15 grandchildren. Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Monday at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church, Keaukaha. Graveside services: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Alae Cemetery. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Janet Miller, 83, of Kaneohe, a secretary, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she is survived by son David; daughter Janet Pirrone; sister Marjorie Pound; brother Howard Taylor; and three grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No services.

Shirley Ann K. Nakamura, 45, of Honolulu is also survived by sister Florence Reddy. Additional information to an obituary yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Howard Navarro, 57, of Waianae, a welder, died March 27 in Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Born in Ewa, he is survived by wife Audrey; sons Howard Jr., Dominic and Jason; daughters Nancy, Trini and Chryl; stepdaughters Michelle and Dawn; brother Mark; sisters Ruby and Shirley; and 21 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Hearts, Waianae. Call after 6 p.m. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire. No flowers.

Frank Reis, 85, of Hilo, a retired employee of Onomea Sugar Co., died Tuesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Paukaa, Hawaii, he is survived by daughters Barbara Reis and Marilyn Herbert; sisters Lena Brady and Madeline Cherney; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Papaikou. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima section. Casual attire.

Eugene K. Tagawa, 59, of Lahaina, a retired heavy equipment operator with Maui County, died Wednesday at home. Born in Lahaina, he is survived by wife Suk; and son Eugene J.K. Services: 1:45 p.m. tomorrow at Nakamura Mortuary. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Gladys K. Tomishima, 79, of Honolulu died yesterday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Dennis K., Russell T. and Gary S.; daughter Myra S. Taketa; sister Esther Y. Ikawa; and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Grace V. Turner, 71, of Mililani, a retired nurse, died Tuesday at home. Born in Indianapolis, Ind., she is survived by husband James H.; sons Derrick K. and Michael A.; brother John Ballinger; sisters Sophronia Gillem and Mary Weather; and five grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Olive Methodist Church, Wahiawa. Casual attire.

Kenneth R. Viloria, 47, of California, who was born in Maui, died March 14 in California. He is survived by mother Sophie C. Balada; stepfather Tony Balada; and brothers Edward F., Stewart J. and Miles V. Memorial services: 9:45 a.m. St. Joseph Church, 94-675 Farrington Hwy., Waipahu. Call after 9:15 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Kimiko Wada, 84, of Koloa, Kauai, a retired proprietor of Wada's Store, Lawai, Kauai, died Wednesday in Hale Omao Care Home. Born in Lawai, she is survived by sons Henry H. and Edwin Y.; daughter Aileen Kageyama; sisters Yoshie Sato and Sadako Tabuchi; brothers Guy, Gary, Masaru, Chuck, Susumu and Alex Matsuwaki; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services at a later date.

Hiroshi Yoshimitsu, 70, of Honolulu, a retired machine and sheet metal worker for the federal government, died Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born on Niihau, he is survived by wife Irene S.; son Rick J.; daughter Amy J.; brothers Kazuto, Masato, Walter and George; sister Tokie Tanimoto; and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Private burial. Casual attire. No flowers.