Obituaries

Tuesday, December 15, 1998

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Thomas Maunupau helped
perpetuate Hawaiian language

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaiian language will be spoken when Hawaiian community members gather at a Sunday memorial for Thomas K. Maunupau Jr., 72, who died Dec. 6.

And Maunupau would just love that, said his niece Ku‘ulei Minchew. He was concerned that people learn their language and culture long before the Hawaiian renaissance of the past 15 years.

“I remember walking with him and he would walk up to any Hawaiian, anytime, with no shame or fear, and ask ‘Do you know your language, do you know your history?' He was rejected 95 percent of the time. People would walk away and say, ‘I'm not interested.' He'd still walk up to the next Hawaiian and try again.”

Maunupau was the son of Thomas K. Maunupau, who was fluent in the language and served as interpreter for Bishop Museum researchers.

Minchew said her uncle felt the traditional style of the Hawaiian language was being lost.

“He would seek out kupuna, and picked up the pattern of the way they spoke. He taught language on the musical sound of how they spoke. That was his lifelong goal, to learn first the secrets of the language.”

Maunupau taught the language as a volunteer at the Women's Community Correctional Center and Waiawa Correctional Facility and in various community programs.

In recent years, he became active in the sovereignty movement and was on the board of the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council. He testified on native water rights before the state Legislature.

He is survived by sisters Gladys Minchew, Abigail Puli, Veronica Morikawa and Malamalama Maunupau.

The public memorial will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Iolani Palace grounds and proceed to the Richards Street YWCA. After a program there, a candlelight vigil will be held on the palace grounds.

Catholic services will be held Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to noon. Burial will be in Diamond Head Memorial Park.

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Walter H. Asato, 58, of Waipahu died Dec. 7. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by brothers Yeikichi, Seicho, Laurence and Roy; and sisters Kiyoko Uyehara and Sally Asato. Private services.

Neil Barraclough, 64, of Lahaina, a property manager, died Friday in Lahaina. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, he is survived by sister Sally Ireland and hanai family the Goldens. Celebration of life: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at his residence, 426 Front St. in Lahaina. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Maui Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 95 Mahalnai St., Wailuku 96793.

Emma Y. Bertleman, 88, of Hilo died last Tuesday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughter Genevieve Cran; sisters Florence Arakaki, Elizabeth Hughes, Hazel Kistler and Jacqueline Holt; brothers Samuel and James Yates; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo. Call after 10:30 a.m. Donations suggested to charity. Casual attire. No flowers.

Carolina S. Boland, 55, of Kaneohe, a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital, died yesterday at home. Born in Leyte, the Philippines, she is survived by husband Patrick; sons Raymond, Daniel and Matthew; parents Arturo and Aniana Saavedra; brothers Liberato, Jaime, Benito, Arturo Jr., Luis and Zoilo Saavedra; and sisters Margarita Pham, Evilyna and Gracia Saavedra, Adela Spencer and Pamela Golden. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Ann's Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. No flowers. Donations suggested to St. Francis Hospice. Casual attire.

Placido G. Caluag, 80, of Kailua-Kona, a retired carpenter for Alii Homes, died Wednesday at home. He was also owner of Sid's Sign. Born in Kau, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Janet; sons Stanton S. and Chadwick J. Caluag and Timothy “Kalei” Gilkey; daughters Carolyn Caluag, Irene Agustin and Marvellee Ann Williams; sister Mary Recolan; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kailua-Kona Ward. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Call from 8 to 9 a.m. Burial: Kona Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Penny J. “Mama” Davis, 60, of Waipahu died Dec. 5 in Waipahu. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband James K.; sons Robert K. and John F.; daughters Debra J. Bosque and Anna M. Davis; brothers John Meyers, Charles Kaleo and James Jr. and David Kahalewai; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio. Call 6-9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Schofield Post Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Lorna Y. Horiuchi, also known as Lorna I. Horiuchi, 89, of Honolulu died Dec. 6 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Garret and Roger; sisters Hana Sakuma, Okuni Tanner and Evelyn Briston; and a granddaughter. Private services.

Eulalio S. Hufalar, 91, of Lahaina, who retired from the Maui Pineapple Co., died Dec. 5. He is survived by sons Eulalio Jr. and Rodney, daughters Lorna C. and Jocelyn and a grandchild. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Nakamura Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park.

Richard Ah Sum Ing, 80, of Honolulu, a retired federal fire captain, died Wednesday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Sue; daughters Karen Ing, Charlene Wasilczyk and Cheryl Flannery; sisters Kai Chang, Katherine Wong, Molly Moniz and Lena Keeno; and two grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Friday at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1666 Mott Smith Drive. Casual attire.

Shizue “Irene” Kawashima, 76, of Honolulu, a retired employee of the Charles Montague Cooke family, died Dec. 11 at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband James; sons James Jr. and Ronald; daughters Alexandra “Sandy” Nakamura, Suzan Kaninau and Lynn Ikehara; brothers Albert, Clifford and Paul Araki; sisters Edith Mukawa, Nancy Kunichika and Glorian Kunioka; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 4 p.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 3 p.m. Aloha attire.

Kahu D. Kealakea, 79, of Wailuku, a pastor at Jesus is the Way Church in Kihei, died Wednesday in Wailuku. Born in Kipahulu, Maui, he is survived by sons David K. Jr. and Adrian C.K.; daughters Mary Ann H. Puahala, Geraldine Edlao, Lorna Lei Garcia and Earlyne N. Kenolio; hanai children Rose “Loke” Combo, Denise “Kehau” Vassar, Ikaika Dombridges and Dr. Valerie Simonson; 21 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. Services: 8 p.m. Friday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call 1-9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Makawao Cemetery. Casual or aloha attire. Flowers welcome.

Donald L. Kong, 64, of Pearl City, a retired supervisor for Hawaii Stevedores Inc., died last Tuesday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Makawao, Maui, he is survived by wife May S.M.; son Jeffery K.; daughters Darlene L. Kong-Cabanban and Valerie L. Takashima; mother Helen Kui Choy Ornellas; brothers James, David, Calvin and Russell; sister Mae DeLima; and nine grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Barbara H. Long, 66, of Wailuku died Sunday in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in Wailuku, she is survived by husband William M.; sons Alia, Keith and Allan; daughters Robin Vierra and Michele Long; brother Allan Rodrigues; sister Claire Kaya; and five grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao.

Robert Lowell, 22, of Kailua, who attended Kalaheo High School, died last Tuesday at home. Born in Kailua, he is survived by son Gabriel; father William; mother Diane; and sisters Andrea Duclayan, Rachel Machado and Kaohinani Lowell. Private services. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Gabriel Brown Trust Fund, c/o William Brown, 4006 Aladdin Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.

Shirowo Matsumoto, 90, of Aiea, a retired manager for Honolulu Plumbing, died Nov. 28 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Papaikou, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Setsuko; son Myron K.; daughters Ann M. Kawai and Diane M. Nakahara; brother Sadao; sisters Raku Sakimizuru, Suwako Murashige and Sumie Matsumoto; and three grandchildren. Private services.

Eugene W. Meyer, 66, of Honolulu died Friday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Amabel; daughters Anna Amian and Diane Tateno; brothers Arthur and Francis; sisters Mary Jane Hazel, Irene Pacquin, Evelyn Alexander, Helen Vinano and Augie Meyer; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Yoshie Miyamoto, 89, of Honolulu died Dec. 7 in Kuakini Hospital. Born on Maui, she is survived by nieces and nephews. Private services.

Misao Mukaida, 78, of Honolulu died Wednesday at home. Born on Maui, he is survived by daughters Aileen M. Kishaba, Beverly Teramoto, Cynthia Nishimura and Ethel Ogane; brothers Toshiyuki and Charles Masuda; sisters Lillian Lau, Miyako Kajiwara and Ayako Longmire; and two grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Hisashi Nagai, 99, of Hilo, a sugar cane planter for the former Onomea Sugar Co., died Sunday in Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. He was also a self-employed sugar cane planter. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, he is survived by sons Hideo and Kenneth; daughters Hisako Shishido, Sayoko Murai, Shizuho Ota, Vivian Prosise, Arleen Gerbig and Miriam Kuruhara; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Services: 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Taishoji Soto Mission. Call after 4:30 p.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Toeupuosamoa “Vaaitautia” Niumatalolo, 96, of Laie will be remembered in services 11 a.m. Thursday at Laie 9th Ward. Call from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. No visitation tomorrow. Incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Mariano F. Obado, 51, of Waipahu died Saturday in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Anita, brothers Manuel and Fausto and sisters Petra Navida and Filomena Obado. Mass: 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Federico F. Peralta, 75, of Honolulu died Dec. 5 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Eufrocina; sons Efren, Oscar and Edilberto; brother Epifanio; sisters Dolores Peralta and Aurea Cabilis; and seven grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony's Church in Kalihi. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Mabel M. Rogers, 71, of Waianae died Wednesday at home. Born in Hawaii, she is survived by sons Elmer, Moses, Samuel and Thomas; daughter Monalin; brothers Thomas and Willie Poepoe; sister Lady U‘u; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Oahu Cemetery Chapel, 2162 Nuuanu Ave. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Greenhaven Memorial Park, Kaneohe. Aloha attire.

Teodoro F. Sumibcay, 73, of Honolulu, a retired journeyman/carpenter from E.E. Black Corp., died last Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Pangasinan, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Rosa A.; sons Teodoro, Manuel, Remigio, Ramon and Joseph; daughters Benedicta Cabradilla, Silveria Salazar, Gloria and Carmen Sumibcay and Bernadette Regala; brothers Primitivo, Maximo, Jesus, Cornelio, Rodolfo, Teofilo and Manuel; sisters Guillerma Balcita, Irene Sumibcay and Juanita Rodas; stepmother Eusebia; 21 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Wake services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony's Church in Kalihi. Call after 8:45 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park.

Ethel C.T. Ward, 75, of Kaneohe died last Tuesday in Kailua. Born in Hilo, she is survived by sons John, Melroy and Michael; daughters Belle Johnson, Cathy Rodrigues, Claire Brunn and Patricia and Barbara Ward; brothers Tsuyoshi, Toshimi and Howard Murakami; sisters Amy Cook, May Higa, Taeko Perreira, Lilliam Omanaka and Geraldine Arneson; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Friday at the park.

Chieko N. Will, 91, of Hilo died Wednesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by sons Harry and Richard Y., daughter Hannah H. Nardini, brother Tadao P. Naito, sister Shimo Fujimoto, four grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Memorial Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii Veteran's Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. No flowers.

Clara L. Wong, 89, of Honolulu died Dec. 4 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Dr. Terry and Ronald, daughter Jean, sister Katherine Ching, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Services: noon Friday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Robert C. Young, 87, of Honolulu, a retired mechanic for the U.S. government, died Wednesday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in China, he is survived by son Jerry; daughters Nancy Wilson and Pat Young; brother Herbert; sisters Betsy Casey, Helen Kaanana and Gladys McNeil; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 1 p.m. tomorrow at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.