Obituaries

Tuesday, April 7, 1998

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Herbert S. Aono, 71, of Kaneohe, a retired auditor with the Army Audit Agency, died last Tuesday in St. Francis Hospice. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Mitsuko; brothers George H., Raymond T., Lionel M. and Daniel T.; and sisters Kazue Suzukawa, Betty S. Murasaki, Lillian Y. Shimotsukasa and Leatrice A. Aono Masaki. Private services.

Joseph H. Bettencourt, 79, of Honolulu died Friday in Straub Hospital. Born in Kealia, Kauai, he is survived by wife Marguerite; son Donald; daughter Lurline Stauber; stepdaughters Wanda Andrew, Mary Souza and Wendy Geolina; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mass: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Star of the Sea Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Graveside services: 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kapaa, Kauai. No flowers.

David L. Bibb, 50, of Honokaa, Hawaii, a proprietor of a maintenance company, died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. He was also a U.S. Army veteran. Born in Barstow, Calif., he is survived by son Loren; daughters Nicole, Candace, Chelsea and Chyanne; parents John and Gladys; and brothers John M. and Steven E. Services on the mainland.

Pedro P. Bueno, 66, of Waialua, a retired administrative specialist for the U.S. Army, died Thursday in Portland, Ore. Born in Waialua, he is survived by wife Gertrude; son Kim; daughter Christine; brothers Benjamin, Francis, Martin and Dennis; and sisters Mary Ganancial, Evelyn Taylor and Alfreda Lapinad. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Services: noon Thursday at the mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Alfredo A. Castro, 69, of Waianae, who retired from Royal Contracting Ltd., died Thursday in Waianae. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Mila C.; son Danny; daughters Araceli Castro, Lorna Bennett, Merly Moore and Helen Lawless; brothers David, Tomas and Amado Castro and Benjamin Villanueva; sisters Martina Rosario and Elena Ballesteros; 16 grandchildren; and four great-grandsons. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

John R. “Ho‘opai” Constantino, 55, of Waimanalo, a cement finisher and plasterer, died Wednesday at home. Born in Paia, Maui, he is survived by wife Kehaulani; son Keoni; daughters Roxanne Contreras, Deborah Aea, Elaine Bacos, Francine Fujiwara, Perla Akahi and Raelin Constantino; brothers; sisters; hanai son Thomas G. Albert; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Friday at Kahului Stake Center in Maui. Call from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Jerald R. Curlee, 67, of Keaau, Hawaii, retired manager of an electrical and sign distribution company, died Wednesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Arizona, he is survived by wife Carla, son Jay A. and two grandsons. Private services.

Howard M. Desaki, 89, of Hilo, a retired plumber for the former S.K. Oda Ltd., died Friday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Yamaguchi, Japan, he is survived by wife Yukie “Rose;” sons Ronald, Ralph and Delbert; daughters Leatrice Teshima and Karen Peterson; brothers Akiraka and Harold M.; and five grandchildren. Services over ashes: 6 p.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Marjorie U. Kailianu, 72, of Hilo, a waitress, died Friday in Hilo Hospital. She was also a Hawaiian studies and language lecturer for the Hawaii Kupuna Program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Born in Puanahulu, Hawaii, she is survived by son William N. Jr.; daughters Davianne U.K. Franklin, Raynette Shibata, Tania M. and Zelda P. Kailianu and Marsella Ferreira; brothers Johnny and Sonny Kaholo; sisters Alice Mecca, Sally Kaleohano and Eleanor Garcia; 21 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Wake services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keaukaha Ward. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. No flowers.

The Rev. Mary T. “Granny” Kamaka, 81, of Nanakuli, who retired from the Honolulu Community Action Program and Waianae Cultural and Arts, died Saturday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Malcolm, Edward, Wayne, Wilfred, Samuel and Wilmore; daughters Shirley Keaunui, Anthurium Kamaka, Effie Akoni, Haroldeen Aviata, Sheila Hibbs, Maxine Kahea, Loretta Tuatagaloa and Lehua Galario; 55 grandchildren; 179 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Harry H. Kanamu, 77, of Kaneohe, a retired ceramic tile setter, died March 23 in Kailua. Born in Nahiku, Maui, he is survived by children Angel Phillip, Elroy and Harry Kanamu Jr., Nylene Lancaster and Laura Hiu; sisters Leimamo Lee and Leikula Alvarez; brothers Samuel Walter and Matthew Kanamu; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Services: 8 p.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 9:45 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial follows. Casual attire.

Abraham K. Kauwe, 85, of Honolulu, a retired city groundskeeper, died March 25 in Nuuanu Lani Care Home. Born in Naalehu, Hawaii, he is survived by son Abraham Jr.; daughter Agnes Oliveira; stepsons John, Francis and Robert Kauwe, Albert Laimana and William Kaluna; brother Joseph; 48 grandchildren; and 80 great-grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Berida “Lady” Kiko-Borje, 71, of Ewa Beach died last Tuesday in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Paul Kajioka, David, Daniel, Julian “Sonny” Jr., Dwight and Wayne Borje and Benny Dela Santos; daughters Mary “Waki” Devillier, Hazel “Ann” Spencer, Sami Campbell, Berida “Puanani” Kajioka, Lydia Galasa, Gwendolyn Noble, Vivian Dela Cruz, Vicky Galasa and Annie Little; hanai daughter Kimberly “Kimi” Dias; sister Violet Santiago; 72 grandchildren; and 88 great-grandchildren. Services: 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Levi Kuhaulua, 77, of Waianae, died March 24 in Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Born on Maui, he is survived by sons Fred Jr. and Zechariah Kuhaulua and Levi Kuhaulua-Stanley; daughters Emily Foltz, Ruby Ramirez, Teryann Miles and Leeann Hale; brother Fred; sisters Maryann Hickman, Elizabeth Ferguson and Caroline Benton; 29 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.

Dr. Ellen Fook-Ien Leong, 96, of New York died March 12 at home. Born in Mana, Kauai, she is survived by sisters Irene Wong and Elizabeth Lee; sons Frederick and Wayne; two grandsons; and two great-grandsons. Memorial services on the mainland. No flowers. Donations suggested to Cabrini Medical Center, Home Heath Agency, 227 East 19th St., New York, NY 10003, Attn: Faye-Ellen Lane. Please indicate wishes for donation to either the Hospice or Home Health Care Unit.

Henry E. Meyer, 84, of Wailuku, who served in the state House of Representatives for three years in the 1960s, died Friday in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in Wailuku, he is survived by wife Katherine E., sons John A. and Henry E. Jr., sister Hannah Stewart and two grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Nakamura Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Burial: 10 a.m. Thursday at Makawao Cemetery. Casual attire.

Kikuyo “Kay” Nakamura, 89, of Honolulu, a retired tailor, died Feb. 22. Born in Kahuku, she is survived by daughters Ethel Ezuka, Dora Wakai, Jane Fujimori and Violet Azama; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Private services.

Marjorie J. Nitz, 71, of Honolulu died Saturday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Royal Oak, Mich., she is survived by son John; daughters Judy Miller and Nancy Barrett; brother Wilbert Waters; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Services: 3:30 p.m. Friday at Central Union Church. Call after 3 p.m. Inurnment at a later date. Aloha attire.

Soon Oh, 80, of Honolulu died March 30 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Kwong Ju, South Korea, she is survived by son In Hwan; daughters Ok Sun Kim, Chom Yae Duckworth, Mal Yae Shin, Kwi Yae “Candy” Conner and Nan Sun Oh; and 11 grandchildren. Services: noon Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Robert L. Rapoza Jr., also known as “Rocky” or “Rapo,” 46, of Honolulu, owner of Feather Hat Bands by Lopaka, died Thursday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by father Robert L.J., daughter Leigh-anne and sons Ely and Rhett. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Angeles C. Samiano, 86, of Hanamaulu, Kauai, died March 28 in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, she is survived by daughter Thelma Ortal; sisters Victoria Caspillo, Eugenia Nanca, Antonia Carino and Ilocrecia Gabbac; and three grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Garden Island Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Services: 9 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Kauai Memorial Gardens. Casual attire.

Charles Santa Monica, 72, of Wahiawa, a retired cook with Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel, died March 30. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by son Anthony, daughter Lorraine Damas and seven grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Larry K. “Cupie” Shigeyasu, 75, of Waipahu, who retired from Barbers Point, died March 25 at home. He was also a war veteran. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Blanche S., sons Allen H. and Norman M. and grandchildren Kristel and Craig. Private services.

Esther L. Soon, 92, of Casper, Wyo. and formerly of Honolulu, died Wednesday. Born in Hanalei, Kauai, she is survived by daughter Arlene Henry; brothers Francis, Tim and Robert Low; and sisters Violet Leong, May Sanches and Pearl Goo. Services: noon Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 11 a.m. Burial: Nuuanu Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

William H. “Duck Feet” Spalding, 86, of Hilo, a retired longshoreman for HT&T, died March 29 in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, he is survived by son William Jr., brother David, sisters Elizabeth Tai and June Namahoe and a grandson. Wake services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Florence A. Sperle, 85, of Honolulu died Friday in Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Wisconsin, she is survived by son Rodney, daughter Jean Geis, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Private services.

Renee N. Taga, 50, of Kaneohe and formerly of McCully, an English-as-a-second-language teacher, died last Tuesday. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by father James and brothers Galen and Benjamin. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Elmer Tam, 67, of Reno, Nev., formerly of Honolulu, a retired information management director for GTE Hawaiian Telephone Co., died Friday in St. Francis Hospice. He was also a Korean and Vietnam War veteran. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Dorothy Kina; mother Ellen Wong; son Elmer Jr.; daughters Dr. Elizabeth Tam, Katherine Saunter and Lois Farr; brother Norman; sisters Doreen Soler, Donna Tam and Diane Reyneker; six grandchildren; stepsons Howard and John Kruse; stepdaughters Penny Halinowski and Cynthia Kimhan; 10 stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. Inurnment: 1 p.m. Friday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. No flowers. Reception: Tree Tops at Paradise Park Restaurant, 3737 Manoa Road.

Torie Uemori, 93, of Waipahu died March 30 in Pearl City Nursing Home. Born in Kawailoa, Hawaii, she is survived by son Edward N., eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.

Sam J. Vierra, 62, of Wahiawa is also survived by mother Eva Texeira. Additional information for an obituary published Saturday provided by the mortuary.