David Pietsch, 77, expert
in land titles, dies
By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin
After contracting polio at the age of 27, David T. Pietsch was looking for a new career. Someone suggested working with land titles because it was mostly desk work.
Eventually, Pietsch and his partner formed Title Guaranty of Hawaii, a company that would became Hawaii's largest and oldest land title company.
“It took him a while to learn how to walk again,” said his son, James. “He could get around in the archives. His legs were not strong, but he could walk. He could never run.”
Pietsch, 77, of Lanikai, died yesterday at home.
Pietsch worked for more than 50 years in the land title business and was involved in almost every major real estate transaction in Hawaii, his family said.
He also helped found Title Guaranty of Guam after a typhoon in 1964. Disaster officials sought his expertise to enable the federal government to lend disaster relief and rebuilding funds.
Pietsch was a director on numerous boards including Castle & Cooke, Maunalani Nursing Center, and the Straub Foundation. He was also a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu and the Shriners.
He was an expert in Hawaiian land issues.
“He had great ideas to solving problems and resolving conflicts that you find when you search,” James Pietsch said. “He was very honest and sincere in being able to solve the problem.”
Pietsch attended Roosevelt High School and graduated from the University of Hawaii. After graduation, he joined the Honolulu Police Department and was the captain of a mine sweeper protecting Hawaiian waters during World War II.
He was working for his father in real estate sales and development when he contracted polio.
Pietsch is survived by his wife, Leslie Maunakapu Long; sons David Jr., Michael and James; and nine grandchildren. All three sons work in the family business.
“He was a great father. He was a great boss and he was a great friend,” said David Jr.
Pietsch was once cited in Sports Illustrated magazine for his cribbage ability and state championships.
He also was a fisherman who loved the ocean, and an accomplished musician who loved Hawaiian music and played numerous instruments, including the steel guitar.
A memorial service will be held at Thurston Chapel on the Punahou School campus 4 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maunalani Nursing Center or Central Union Church.
Abraham Poepoe Jr., writer, city
info officer, dies at 72
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin
Government officials remember Abraham Poepoe Jr., a longtime city information officer, as a talented writer who cared about what he put down on paper.
To Hula Records owner Don McDiarmid Jr., a friend for more than three decades, Poepoe was a raconteur, “a man of
the world who could talk on about any subject forever.”
Poepoe, 72, died Friday after a bout with cancer.
Carol Costa, director of the city Office of Information and Complaint, described Poepoe as an exceptional writer and editor who taught her some of the finer points of informational writing.
For years, Costa said, he was “the heart and soul of our office” and “never hesitated to grab the phone and answer a citizen's question.”
Mayor Jeremy Harris, in a statement, said: “He helped thousands of people by providing them with accurate and helpful information. Abe provided great customer service before it became our watchword.”
Before joining the city in 1972, Poepoe was editor of the Press Newspapers, predecessor to the Sun Press. Prior to that, he was a teacher at Punahou.
He retired in 1995, after 23 years with the city.
McDiarmid said he and Poepoe became friends when the two were in the Honolulu Press Club in the 1960s.
“He was a great conversationalist,” said McDiarmid, recalling that the two would talk story for hours on everything from Hawaiian sovereignty to what Christ would wear if he were alive today.
“He was as comfortable in Paris as he was in Honokaa,” McDiarmid said.
Poepoe was the brother of Andrew K. Poepoe, Hawaii district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
He also is survived by son Lindsay Mattox; mother Dorothy E.; brother Ronald H.; sisters Ramona V., Jocelyn Higgins, Lucia Davis and Deborah Ann Sakamoto; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. No flowers.
Memorial service Sunday
for Marion Saunders
By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin
Former school board member and social advocate Marion Saunders never stopped working to make Hawaii a better place -- even up to the day she died, friends said.
Saunders, 89, of Honolulu, died Aug. 6 at Straub Hospital.
“She was interested in all projects or events that concerned the public,” said Arlene Ellis, past president of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.
“She was that type of person. She wanted to enhance what was going on in Hawaii.”
Saunders and her late husband, Allan, a University of Hawaii professor and dean, founded the League of Women Voters of Honolulu in 1948.
In 1965, she worked to expand the league into a statewide organization.
She also helped launch the Hawaii chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Education was Saunders' passion.
As a WAVE officer during World War II, she taught officer candidates about weekly war developments.
She also was principal of the Territory of Hawaii's first adult continuing education school.
At the East-West Center, she was in charge of helping Micronesian students.
In 1968, she launched a continuing education program for women at the University of Hawaii, a precursor to the Women's Studies program.
She was elected to the school board in 1974 and served until 1981. After her stint on the board, she continued to testify at the Legislature about school problems and needs and what ought to be done to address them, and worked on issues like charter schools.
“She was always very concerned about education,” Ellis said. “What's more important than education?”
During the last two years of her life, she proposed and helped found the University of Hawaii's Academy of Lifelong Learning and formed a discussion group to help plot a new course for the East-West Center.
“She would never quit,” Ellis said. “We tried to force her to go to only one meeting per day rather than four or five, but it was a very difficult thing to do. You could not squelch this woman's enthusiasm.”
A memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday in the auditorium of the UH Architecture Building.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the UH Foundation Allan and Marion Saunders Lifelong Learning Endowment.
Katsumi Aisaka, 82, of Aiea, a retired meter reader for Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., died Aug. 2 in St. Francis Hospice. He was born in Aiea. He is survived by brothers Francis, Ronald, Reginald and Robert, and sister Helene Tanaka. Private services.
Samuel B. Akiona, 77, of Kona, Hawaii, a retired supervisor at Keauhou Kona Country Club, died Thursday in Kona Community Hospital. He was born in South Kona, Hawaii. He is survived by sons Samuel B. Jr., Reuben and Harold; daughter Thelma L.; brothers William and Victor Bestamente; sisters Rose Agustin, Ellen Sanoria and Sarah Aniban, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 7 p.m. Friday at Thelma Akiona's residence, 81-6641 Muli St., Kona Scenic Subdivision, in Kealakekua, Kona. Call from 5 to 10 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Marjory P. Andres, 63, died last Wednesday in San Jose, Calif. She was born in Oregon. She is survived by sons Roy and Ray; daughters Mari Riego, Melani Sumira and Melinda Andres; brothers Benjamin and Arsenio Pasion, and four grandchildren. Services: 12:30 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.
Paulino D. Aurellano, 91, of Honolulu, a retired installer for the Craig Co., died July 24 in Honolulu. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Zosima G.; daughters Grace A. Winchester, Angela A. Calo and Marilyn P. Aurellano; son Estanislao; sisters Gregoria Aurellano and Adrianna Espjo, and four grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Josephine M. Bueno, 72, of Waipahu, died July 21 in St. Francis-West Hospital. She was born in Waipahu. She is survived by brother Severino Mauricio; sister Alvina Tejada, and a goddaughter. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Angus “Joker” Carmichael, 57, of Wahiawa, a truck driver for Armstrong Produce, died July 29. He was born in Wahiawa. He is survived by sons Daniel, Lawrence and Walter; sisters Helen Kalulu, Violet Carmichael and Laura Adair, and caregiver Annie Ai. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Saturday at Liliuokalani Protestant Church. Call after noon. Scattering of the ashes at a later date. Casual attire.
Mary E. Chamberlain, 79, of Kailua-Kona and formerly of Waikoloa, Hawaii, and Oregon, died Thursday in Keauhou Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. She was born in Nebraska. She is survived by sons Kenneth and Charles; sisters Lydia Alpenfels and Janice Harrod, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services on the mainland.
Leslie B. Diamsay, 24, of Ewa Beach, died July 20 in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by parents Rodrigo and Luzviminda “Linda”; brothers Rodante and Raymond; sister Luzvilla, and grandparents Rufina Baloran and Remigio and Visitacion Duropan. Wake services: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Queen Emma Square. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Yasue A. Enoki, 96, of Waimea, Kauai, president and proprietor of “Enoki Camp” at Halekipa Corner in Hanapepe, died last Wednesday in Kauai Care Cen
ter. She was born in Japan. She is survived by son Hiroshi; daughters Florence Yamamoto, Mary Aragaki and Beatrice Pace; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick/Kauai Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Casual attire.
James D. Galariada, 38, of Waianae, also known as “Jimmy” or “Jimbo,” an employee at Hawaii Concrete Product, died Aug. 4 in St. Francis-West Hospital. He was born in Wahiawa. He is survived by mother Yvonne M.; father Rufo; sons Jacob and Justen; daughters Alisa and Natasha Quintanilla; brother Howard; sisters Eva Rosa and Lisa Fuentes-Galariada, and companion Norma Jean Evangelista. Mass: 7 p.m. Friday at Sacred Hearts Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Casual attire.
Roy A. Gallarde, 76, of Waipahu, a retired electrician from Barber's Point Naval Air Station, died Aug. 2 in Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Angelo, Kenneth and Christopher; daughters Francine Forquer, Faith Craycroft and Marylynn Gallarde; brothers Dick, Paul, Richard and John; sister Helen Estrella, 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Services: 12:30 p.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
Daniel L. Gallardo, 92, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired laborer for the former Puna Sugar Plantation, died Thursday in Life Care Center of Hilo. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by daughter Marcelina Layco; brother Basilio; hanai granddaughters Christine Barteluce and Susan Forsgren, and hanai grandsons Victor Jr. and Melvin Ventura. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.
Ross S. Hattori, 27, of Honolulu, a schoolteacher, died Saturday. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by fiancee Emiko Niinuma; parents Fred M. and Marian E., and sister Sheri Ann N. Wong. Services: 4 p.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.
James M. Higashida Jr., 62, of Hilo, a retired assistant fire chief for the Hawaii Fire Department-Waiakea Search and Rescue unit, died Sunday in Hilo Hospital. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by wife Marie; daughter Nyala Higashida-O'Brien; son James M. III; stepmother Sumiko; sisters Pauline Higashida and Natalie Loving; brothers Thomas and Dennis; stepsister June Kunimitsu, and a grandchild. Prayer services: 7 p.m. Friday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Call again from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Omaru Imazaki, 89, of Hilo, a retired seamstress, died Aug. 1 in Hilo Hospital. She was born in Kaiwiki, Hawaii. She is survived by sons Tsuyoshi “Jerry,” George and Albert; daughters Tomiko Morgan, Nancy and Gail Imazaki and Terry Walls; sister Oshimo Watanabe, and grandchildren. Private services.
Helen I. Lillico, 86, of Kailua, died Friday at home. She was born in Japan. She is survived by son Peter; sister Elizabeth Foot, and two grandchildren. Memorial services: noon Sunday at First United Methodist Church. Scattering of the ashes will be private.
Adeline Luis, 86, of Honolulu, died Saturday in Hale Nani Nursing Home. She was born in Pahala, Hawaii. She is survived by son Richard; daughter Charlene, and two grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Call from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
Geraldine K. Mansinon, 72, of Kahaluu died Aug. 3 in Kahaluu. She was born in Kahaluu. She is survived by husband James A.; daughters Geraldine Relator, Stella Young, Sandra Mattias, Yolanda Blackwell, Gwendolyn Makua and Shannon Figuerao; sons Ronald, James, Francis, Glenn and Jerome; sisters Abigail Brown, Violet Anzai, Loretta Young, Anita Albinio and Verna, Leinaala, Irene and Lorraine Kalakau; brothers Theodore and Larry Saizon, Mighty Joe, Melvin, Bennett, Gerald, Edwin and Henry Young, and Larry and Lynol Chatrand; 39 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.
Michael Mason, 49, of Ocean View, Hawaii, a self-employed carpenter, died March 19 in Hilo Hospital. He was born in Milford, Conn. He is survived by companion Silvia Ganser; son George Ganser; daughter Kealani Ganser; mother Evelyn, and sister Linda. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Naalehu County Cemetery. Burial to follow. Memorial gathering: 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kahuku Park.
Loraine K. Nakagawa, 57, of Honolulu, a retired pantry and kitchen helper, died Aug. 3 in Straub Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Jon Nakagawa and Jay Jacinth; sister Faith Takaesu, and two grandsons. Services were private.
Alice S. Nakamoto, 70, of Honolulu, co-owner of Alice's Barber Shop, died Friday in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Harold M.; son Harris; brother Henry Hayamoto; sister Edna Takao, and three granddaughters. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Kalihi Union Church. Call after 1 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Emmaline Mae Nakamura, 56, of Honolulu, also known as Emmaline Helenihi, died Sunday in Kuakini Hospital. She was a cashier with Gas Express. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by companion Babes; daughters Jadelin Nakamura, Lillian Hueu and Christine Pantohan; son Francis; brothers Francis and Alan Helenihi and Peter Tolentino; sisters Gwendolyn Lopez, Charlene Nelson, Monica Carvalho, Donna and Annette Tolentino and Beverly Tuzon, 15 grandchildren and a great-grandson. Services: 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Mahealani S. Peros, 31/2, of Haiku, Maui, died Saturday at home. She was born in Wailuku, Maui. She is survived by father Ben “Makeshta”; mother Donna S.; grandparents Martin and Robbin Reisberg and Santiago and Marie Peros, and great-grandparents Bernie Stoffer and Deborah Le Sueur. Scattering of ashes will take place on Sunday. No flowers. Donations are suggested to the Make A Wish Foundation, 1001 Bishop St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
Abraham L. Ramos, 64, of Kapaa, Kauai, a security guard, died July 25 at home. He was born in Hawaii. He is survived by daughter Rowena Ramos-Juan; son Ramon; brother Emanuel; sister Magdalina, and three grandchildren. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick/
Kauai Mortuary in Koloa. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.
Natividad Q. Ramos, 64, of Waipahu, died July 30 at home. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by husband Patrick; daughter Valerie R. Afaga; mother Ernesta Santos; brothers Cosmedin, Antonio, Leandro and Francisco Quiocho; sisters Lourdes Begay and Ruby Cabison, and five grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Solidad T. Remo, 63, of Ewa Beach, a retired cook in food services at Pearl Harbor, died Aug. 4 in St. Francis-West Hospital. She was born in Ewa. She is survived by sons Dwight Taneyo, and Alfred, Warren, John, Benedict and Christopher Remo; daughters Brenda Apo and Christine Remo; brother Constantino Taneyo; sisters Benedicta Elia and Catherine Moodi, 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Immaculate Conception Church, 91-1298 Renton Road. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.
Janet Sullivan, 21, of Honolulu died Friday in Tripler Hospital. She was born in Florida. She is survived by parents Kevin and Young, and sister Jennifer. Call from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Mortuary. Services: 7:30 a.m. Friday at Wheeler Chapel. Call from 7 to 9 a.m. Burial: 10 a.m. at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to HUGS or Aplastic Anemia.
Violet F. Terayama, 86, of Waipahu, a retired housekeeper for C.S. Wo, died Aug. 2 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. She was born in Kawaihao, Kauai. She is survived by husband Tsugio; daughters Kay Nakamori and Sharon E. Fujino, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Services: noon Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Philip S. Vierra, 47, of Kahana, Maui, an engineer for a condominium, died last Wednesday in Nakalele, Maui. He was born in Wailuku. He is survived by son Brandon; daughter Michele Vierra-Pupunu; brother Dennis; sisters Marie Matz and Emily Kinores; girlfriend Ann Williams, and a grandchild. Services: 4 p.m. Saturday at Nakalele. Leis are welcome. Casual attire.
William S. Wise, 63, of Honolulu, a retired architect, died Aug. 4 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by sons William, John and David; stepbrother Dennis Read, and two grandchildren. Services: 3:15 p.m. Sunday at Kamehameha Schools' Bishop Memorial Chapel. Call after 2:30 p.m. Aloha attire.
