Obituaries

Thursday, November 13, 1997

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Don Metzger, 65, veteran
of Hawaii radio, TV

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Gentle and humorous aren’t words normally used to describe executives in Hawaii’s intensely competitive and stressful broadcasting field.

But that’s how friends remember Don Metzger, an influential figure in the radio and television broadcast community over the last four decades. Metzger, 65, died Sunday in Honolulu due to complications from a stroke.

“I don’t think I ever saw Don lose his temper, castigate somebody or discipline an employee in front of someone else,” said KHET Executive Director Don Robbs, a longtime friend and one-time colleague.

“In our business, a Don Metzger is a rare individual.”

Jack Kellner, another former colleague and now KHON’s director of community affairs, said Metzger “was quick with a smile and a joke.”

“I don’t think there ever was anyone he ever came in contact with that didn’t think he was honorable and respectful and had integrity,” Kellner said.

Metzger arrived in Hawaii in 1962 and spent 18 years with KGU radio. He rose from account executive to president and general manager over a 10-year period.

“He was very innovative as a broadcaster,” said Ray Sweeney, a former radio executive who worked at times with Metzger. “He perfected the idea of high school sports on radio.”

During Metzger’s tenure, everyone from Al Michaels to Chuck Leahy to Robbs did play-by-play for KGU. After KGU, he spent time as an account executive and sales manager at KHNL Channel 13, and later was president and general manager of Aloha Broadcasting, owners of KKUA and KQMQ.

In 1986, Metzger was picked as general manager and vice president for KFVE, what would come to be known as Hawaii’s fifth television station. He helped locate its facilities, at the Sand Island Access Road site now occupied by KHNL, and hired its first crew.

Sweeney, now in public relations, remembers that Metzger was among the first to advocate the use of telephone lines to broadcast mainland sports events instead of shortwave lines, thus saving stations and sponsors money.

Kellner noted Metzger played an instrumental role in the state Emergency Broadcast System, us ing his communications expertise to aid the community. Metzger also was active with the Make A Wish Foundation of Hawaii.

Metzger is survived by his wife, Lynne; son Steven; daughter Kristen and sister Barbara Baxter.

Private services will be held.

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Georgia J.B. Andersen, 96, of Honolulu died Sunday in Hale Ho Aloha. Born in North Kona, she is survived by son Frank H. Barton; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Call from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.

Cristina E. Delos Santos, 59, of Kauai died Nov. 3. Born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, she is survived by husband Jose; daughter Grace; sons Wilson, Jose Jr. and Arden; brothers Emilio Sebastian and Cecilio Esteban; and sisters Cresencia Lim, Lucena Olaguera, Margarita Suyat, Brigida Penera, Aurea Somera, Arsenia Lopez and Erlentina Agpaoa. Mass: 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:30 a.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Robert G. Denison, 45, died Oct. 30 in Kaneohe. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by mother Carmen Smith; and brother Paul. Private services.

Mary Cordeiro DeRego, 87, of Honokaa, Hawaii died Monday in Honokaa Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, she is survived by daughters Nancy DeRego, Irene Rosa and Carol Carvalho; son David; sisters Agnes Kailiawa and Emma Kapehe; brothers Joseph, Peter and Henry Cordeiro; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Honokaa. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Honokaa Catholic Church Cemetery. Casual attire.

Irene M.T. Fukunaga, 82, of Wahiawa is also survived by three grandchildren. Additional information for an obituary Tuesday provided by the mortuary.

Kimberley D. Guyton, 38, of Honolulu, a health care professional at Kahi Mohala Hospital, died Nov. 5 in Honolulu. Born in San Pedro, Calif., she is survived by son Anthony “Jamie” Vaughn; mother Vera; and sister Kelly “Alexis.” Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Baptist Church. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire.

Clarice M. Heu, 49, of Honolulu, a counselor at McKinley High School, died Nov. 4 in Honolulu. Born in Papaaloa, Hawaii, she is survived by husband Eric; mother Ethelbertha Morimoto; and brother Curt Morimoto. Memorial Mass: 3 p.m. Sunday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Kaheka Street. Call after 1:30 p.m. Casual attire.

Bruce K. Kanoho Sr., 38, of Kalaheo, Kauai, a state security officer, died Saturday in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born in Lihue, he is survived by wife Anna Marie C.; daughters Crystal M.P. and Chelsie N.; sons Bruce K. Jr. and Brandon W.; sisters Luka Goo, Eloise Taniguchi, Leilani Suenaga, Ipo Kanoho, Noelani Ornellas, Iwalani Kanoho and Jacquelyn Figueira; and brothers Steven, Makalapua, Henry and Harry. Services: 10 a.m. Nov. 22 at Lihue First Church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Lihue Public Cemetery. Casual attire.

Junius E.K. “Bugs” Lane, 59, of Kapolei, a retired air traffic controller, died Nov. 4 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Aiea, he is survived by wife Catherine “Lei”; sons Alan D.K., Adam M.K. and Richard K.; daughter Deena K. Kawai; sisters Lona K. Urbshot, June K. Tokuhara and Cara E. and Moana G. Lane; and 10 grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Scattering of ashes at a later date.

Victoria C.I. Lee, 72, of Honolulu died last Thursday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by son Eric; brother Edward; and sister Elizabeth. Inurnment: 9 a.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Tapu Levale, 73, of Aiea died Oct. 31 in Aiea. Born in American Samoa, she is survived by son Fiapule Fiapule; daughters Toafa Niusulu, Leaisetoto McMillian and Faleteine Maika; brothers Timu, Elisara T. and Tualauta; sisters Toafa Leaupepe, Toalua Feagaimaalii, Florence Lea‘e, Faamoe Holewyne and Faleteine Falefia; 14 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 5 p.m. Sunday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 4 p.m. Services: 9 a.m. Monday at the mortuary; call after 8 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Michael T.H. Liu, 55, of Honolulu died Saturday in Honolulu. Born in Taiwan, he is survived by father Pong Fay; mother Ah May Pong; two brothers; and three sisters. Private services.

Esther H. Marciniak, 57, of Redondo Beach, who was born in Haiku, Maui, died last Wednesday at home. She was a sales support assistant for Northwest Airlines. She was also involved with Hawaiian community and cultural events in California. She is survived by children Edward K., Edriene M. and William K. Marciniak, and Tara P. Bautista; sister Dorothy Crowell; brothers Kenneth “Sonny Boy,” William “Masa,” John, Walter, Robert and James Hanamaikai; and five grandchildren. Services on the mainland. Donations suggested to the Esther Marciniak Memorial Fund, c/o The Marciniak Family, 1117 Barabara St. #7, Redondo Beach, Calif., 90277.

Angel Marquez-Tolbe, infant daughter of Melvin T. Tolbe and Lynn G. Marquez died Oct. 30 in Kaiser Hospital. She is also survived by brother Nicholas S.; grandparents Simon and Lydia G. Marquez; and great-grandmother Hipolita Gruspe. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 5 to 8 p.m. Mass: 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Church. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Vivian M. Minamoto, 56, of Kailua, a retired teacher at Farrington High School, died Saturday at home. Born in Hilo, she is survived by husband Robert A.; son Bradley A.; daughter Liza M.; mother Toyoko Mukai; brothers Victor and Leonard Mukai; and sisters Lauren Tsuchida and Laura Yokoyama. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Congregational Church. Casual attire. No flowers.

Mose Mose, 43, of Kahului died Nov. 4 in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in American Samoa, he is survived by wife Pelenise M.; daughter Tiana M.; sons William F., Clifford T. and Christopher L.; sisters Saline Afaaso, Faagase Tuala, Fipe Mose and Faimafili Fualaau; and brothers Eteuini Augata, and Epi and Tautala Mose. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Services: 9 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Burial: Maui Veterans Cemetery, Makawao. Casual attire.

Catherine C. Murota, 60, of Hilo, a retired teacher at Waiakea Elementary School, died Oct. 28 in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by brother Albert. Private services.

Uarda F. Naauao, 78, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughters Paula Wilson, Moana Valdez and Uarda J. Tamura; sons Paul Jr. and Lincoln Isaacs; step-daughter Roberta Jahrling; sisters Katherine “Katy” Pacheco, Miriam Tollefsen, Winifred Jones and Betty Lum; seven grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Mass: 12:45 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church. Call from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Aloha attire.

Ethel H. Nakamura, 83, of Honolulu died Nov. 3 in Hale Pulama Mau. Born in Waialua, she is survived by sons Gary, Melvin and Dennis; daughters Jessie Kojiro, Jo Anne Okudara and Karen Miyake; brother Herbert Iwashita; sisters Nancy Oshiro and Joyce Nakasone; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Private services held.

Juana M. Nieveras, 82 of Honolulu died Oct. 7 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in the Philippines, she is survived by sister Brigida M. Domingo. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary, 20 S. Kukui St. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Baptist Church, 2324 Omilo Lane. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Kame Oshiro, 96, of Hilo died Nov. 5 in Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Okinawa, Japan, she is survived by sons Yukio, Larry M., George K. and Masanori; daughters Lily Y. Heard and Pauline Sunahara; sister Oto Jakahi; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Private services.

Jack K. Painter, 76, of Kailua-Kona, a retired airline captain with Continental Airlines, died Nov. 2 in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Longmont, Colo., he is survived by wife Ligea; sons Steve, Jeff and Doug; and two grandchildren. Services at a later date.

Violet S. Pereira, 79, of Hilo, a retired cafeteria manager at Waiakea Intermediate and Elementary Schools, died Tuesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by sons Gerald and Ronald; daughters Arlene Mayer, Joan Bugado and Debra Armen; brothers Walter, Robert and Allan; sister Ruth Meunier; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Mass: noon Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Call after 9 a.m. Entombment: Homelani Mausoleum. Casual attire.

Mary E. Porter, 69, of Kailua, a retired computer program analyst, died last Thursday in Kailua. Born in Michigan, she is survived by son David; daughter Pamela Stubbs; brother Bob Worthington; and sister Suzanne Worthington. No services.

George T. Rapera, 57, of Kailua, a mason, died on Nov. 1 in Kailua. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Kailua; call after 6 p.m. Mass: noon Saturday at the church; call after 10:30 a.m. Burial at 3 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. Incorrect site of Saturday Mass printed in an obituary Tuesday.

Sarah S.H. Rice, 72, of Los Angeles died Friday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons George and Zachary; and daughter Kimberly Garrson. Graveside services: 9 a.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

David E. Sedeno Sr., 83, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired operating engineer, died Friday in Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Aiea, he is survived by wife Dora B.; sons David Jr. and Sanford Angel; daughters Lydia Umphries, Marie Sedeno, Linda Burgos, Lorna Miranda and Maxine Cabral; brother Daniel C.; sisters Lillian Park and Ann Russmussen; 18 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Monday at Memorial Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Seichi Shigetani, 83, of Hilo, a retired truck driver with the state Department of Health, died Monday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Punene, Maui, he is survived by companion Dorothy M. Low; son Michael H.; daughters Susan Schopp, Kaye VenLuven, Carolyn Young, Mary Place and Jody Shigetani; brother Hiroshi; sisters Hanako Sugiki, Wakaye Spencer and Myrtle S. Motonaga; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary, Hilo. Call after 9 a.m. Inurnment at a later date. Casual attire. No flowers.

Mary Kaiwi Whittley,75, of Honolulu died Monday in St. Francis Hospital. Among her survivors are daughters Eleanor Kauwenaole, Linda Dudoit, and Shella and Shantel Whittley. An obituary yesterday was based on unclear information from the mortuary.

Edith K.S.W. Wong, 94, of Pearl City died Nov. 2 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughters Frances Y.L. Chung, Victoria Trinidad and Lai Kin Abregana; sisters Beatrice Ching and Elizabeth Ching; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.