Obituaries

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

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Researcher Martin
Vitousek, 74, dies

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Martin J. Vitousek, 74, a geophysicist and inventor who flew his own airplane and sailed a schooner featured in the movie "The Wackiest Ship in the Army," died Saturday at Kona Community Hospital.

The longtime University of Hawaii researcher, who moved to Kona after retirement, achieved one of the first advances in a tsunami warning system with development of ocean gauges to measure tides and waves in the 1960s.

He headed a UH research outpost on Fanning Island, 1,200 miles from Hawaii, and was field chief of the Line Island scientific program during the International Geophysical Year.

He commuted there for the Northern Pacific Experiment, part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration. He directed magnetic, seismological and oceanographic studies and developed weather and ocean recording equipment to forecast climate changes.

Vitousek used his 72-foot schooner, Fiesta, the "Wackiest Ship" in the film, to carry supplies and replacements to stations on Palmyra, Jarvis and Fanning islands.

"Because of his presence in the Line Islands, haoles got to be known as 'Martys,' " recalled Tom Schroeder, UH meteorologist and Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research director.

Schroeder said Vitousek, associated with the JIMAR for many years, "was a legend for flying solo from here to Fanning Island" in the 1960s and 1970s. "We always tried to figure out how he did it in that little airplane."

George Curtis, UH-Hilo professor formerly at Manoa, worked on many projects with Vitousek. "The best one and the longest was adapting an infrared scanning system from a U-2 (spy plane) to look for fresh water sources on the Kona-Kohala coastline."

Vitousek, who started at UH as a mathematics professor, also used his plane for search missions. He circled Palmyra Island in 1974 looking for LaVerne and Malcolm Graham after their ketch, the Seawind, was stolen and they were reported missing.

"He was also famous for trying to land with his dad in the middle of the Pearl Harbor bombing," Schroeder said.

Vitousek and his father, Honolulu attorney Roy L. Vitousek Sr., were flying in a light plane near Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombers and torpedo planes arrived. Then a Punahou senior, Vitousek spotted what he thought was the first bomb dropped.

Lorenz Magaard, associate dean of the UH School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, said Vitousek was "an extremely versatile colleague who was master of many aspects of our sciences."

"Marty's principal interest was the tsunami problem, and he was very accomplished at designing and building instruments," said Dennis Moore, former JIMAR director.

Survivors include Vitousek's wife, Tokataai; sons Clinton, Terii and Kimo; daughters Georgina and Taouea Vitousek, Bibiana Strickland and Marieta Prudholm; stepdaughter Catherine Wiggins; and a grandchild.

Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Friday at the Keauhou Canoe Club, Kona. Call after 4 p.m. Ashes will be scattered at sea at sundown. A potluck gathering will follow. Aloha attire. Loose flowers and leis welcome.

Robert H. Albert, 81, of Fountain Hills, Ariz., formerly of Hawaii, a retired ordnance man/explosives, died Feb. 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was also a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain. He was born in Billings, Mont. He is survived by wife Cathryn B.; sons Bruce E. and Robert D.; stepsons William F. Jr. and Robert E. Trouts; daughter Kathleen M.A. Zabukovec; stepdaughter J. Nancy Trouts, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. No services. Contributions suggested to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5377, Phoenix AZ 85010 or Hospice Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 25066, Phoenix, AZ 85002.

Clotilde “Cleo” Albo, 67, of Kahului, Maui, formerly of Ewa, died Saturday in St. Francis-West Hospice. He was a shuttler for Avis car rentals. She was born in Ewa. She is survived by sister Eva Maruquin and brother Maximo. Mass: 8 p.m. tomorrow at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 91-1004 North Road. Call from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cremation to follow. Private inurnment. Casual attire.

Satoru Amano, 75, of Hilo, Hawaii, a retired proprietor of S. Amano Fishcake Factory, died Monday in Hilo Hospital. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by sons Donald and Robin; sisters Masue Noda and Tomie Nishimoto, and five grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Thomas S. Ansai, 70, of Kaneohe died Feb. 4 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born on Maui. He is survived by son Byron; daughter Charmaine Matsuura; mother Utayo, and a grandchild. Private services.

Connie D. “Bobbie” Beegle,77, of Ridgely, W.Va., died Feb. 4. She was born in Haiku, Maui. She is survived by husband Clay; brothers Ed “Tick,” Frank “Toe,” Bob and John Dias; sisters Cora D. Barona, Roseline D. Vinigas, Shirley D. Kiakona, Polly Poland, Dolores Souza and Lola Ogawasara, and six grandchildren. Services held.

Eugenio “Kenyo” Betonio, 92, of Kapaau, Hawaii, a retired sugar mill tender for Kohala Sugar Plantation, died Thursday in Kohala Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Filomeno, James, Wilfred, Paul and Michael Marquez; daughters Linda Schmidt, Eleanor Marquez and Angeline Alcoran, 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi. Call from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawi County Cemetery. Casual attire.

Nancy C. Borromeo, 34, of Waipahu died Jan. 4 in St. Francis Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by husband Dante; daughter Denine; son Dustin; parents Eddie A. and Concepcion B. Cadiz; sisters Jessie C. Fernandez and Shanelle C. Baxa, and brother Eddie B. Cadiz Jr. Mass: 7 p.m. Friday at St. Paul Church, 229 Queen Emma St., Room 29. Call from 6 to 9 p.m.

Chang Shee Bow, 100, of Honolulu died Feb. 3 in Honolulu. She was born in China. She is survived by sons Reginald, Frank, Raymond and Patrick; daughters Patricia Mau, Rose Au and Jane Harvey, 28 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Private services.

Severino L. Bulagay, 88, of Honolulu, a retired carpenter, died Feb. 9 at home. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Luzviminda; sons David Hauoli and Jason and Severino Bulagay Jr.; daughters Elmara Williams, Kalani Hawn, Leona Hauoli, Belinda Lopes and Maybellene Duree; brother Crisistomo Quidangan; sisters Hilaria Gaspar, Mona Quebatay and Juliana Habon, and eight grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Memorial Park. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Fausta M. Corpuz, 82, of Ewa Beach died Jan. 27 in St. Francis-West Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by daughter Pita Alcaraz; sons Reynold and Dominador, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, 91-1298 Renton Road. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Bill B. Cristobal, 86, of Honolulu died Feb. 8 at home. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Lita; children Kathleen, Bill Jr. and Bryan, and sisters Leonora Cristobal and Emma Mariano. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Mount Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Leon S. Duclayan, 87, of Honolulu, who retired from Hayes and Pacific Knights security services, died Feb. 9 in Kuakini Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Evangeline; son Larry; daughters Bernadette Banasihan, Priscilla Akana, Veronica Newall, Larissa Ganiron, Laurena Burigsay, and Laura-Mae, Lisa-Ann and Lei-Ann Duclayan; brother Alfredo; sisters Florencia Dumadag and Marcela Sanchez; 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Church in Kalihi. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Placida D. Galarse, 84, of Waipahu died Jan. 26 in St. Francis-West Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by sons Jose, Benjamin and Reynaldo; daughters Amelia Galario and Corazon Tabucbuc; brothers Juan and Bonifacio Dadulla; sisters Antonia Galarse, Gertrudes Redito and Cirila Guerrero, 17 grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

John J. Gomez, 90, of Honolulu, manager of the Doris Duke estates in Hawaii and California, died Friday in Straub Hospital. He was born in Hawaii. He is survived by sisters Mary Feiteira and Nettie Enos. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Aloha attire. Private burial.

Wendell T. Gomez, 31, of Waipahu will be remembered in a memorial Mass at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow at St. Joseph Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Inurnment: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. He died in a fire in Waipahu on Feb. 9. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by parents Patricio and Maximina; brothers Michael, Gary, Darryl and Glenn, and sisters Roxanne Spatig and Francine Cozo. Memorial donations are suggested to the Wendell T. Gomez Memorial Fund at any branch of the Bank of Hawaii.

Norman Y.C. Goo, 86, of Honolulu, a retired supply warehouser with Hickam Air Force Base, died Feb. 6 in Kuakini Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Gwen K.Y. Chong; sons Sherwin, Philbert, Gordon, Melvin, Hilton and Jerry; daughter Charlotte Cordes; sisters Gloria Takeshita and Rubie Yamamoto, 10 grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Services: noon Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. No flowers.

Porphyry E. “Paul” Gouveia, 62, of Kailua, vice president and director of maintenance for Mililani Memorial Park, died Friday in Castle Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Gail G.; sons Keith, Alan, Kelii and Kaeo; daughters Cathy Mondoy and Christy Gouveia; sisters Alice Santos, Ernestine Treece, Barbara Cook and Shirley Beall, and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 9 a.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 8 a.m. Casual attire.

Dalana R. Henry, 77, of Kaaawa died Thursday in Kaiser Hospital. She was born in Shelbyville, Ind. She is survived by son Jerry and two granddaughters. Private services.

Clifford M. Hirokane, 80, of Kaneohe, a retired painter for the state, died last Wednesday in Kaneohe. He was born in Puhi, Kauai. He is survived by sons Alvin, Bryan, David, Daniel and John; brothers Charlie and Satoru, and six grandchildren. Wake services: 6 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Burial: 11 a.m. Monday at Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Seichi Kaneshiro, 83, of Waipahu, a retired heavy equipment mechanic for the federal government, died Feb. 3 in Pearl City Nursing Home. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Sadako; sons Thomas M., Roy S. and Howard H.; brothers Seiko, Seishin and Steve; sister Misao Higa, and seven grandchildren. Private services.

Charles Y. Kubo, 67, of Lahaina, Maui, a Korean War veteran, died last Wednesday at home. He was born in Lahaina. He is survived by wife Matsuko; daughter Alicia Hozaki; mother Kiyono, and sisters Masaye Kubo, Aiko Watanabe and Kimiyo Hirayama. Private services.

Ward J.A. Lemn III, 27, who attended Castle High School, died Saturday. He is survived by parents Ward and Frances; brothers Alvin L.K. Nishimura and Harry Lemn; and sisters Debbie K. Kanekoa and Wendy M. and Mary H. Lemn. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Casual attire.

Epifania R. Madriaga, 68, of Honolulu died Jan. 28 in Kaiser Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by sons William, Herminio, Antonio and Romeo; daughters Gloria Kamelo, Virginia Madriaga and Emelda Godoy; brothers Roque, Sammy and Ernesto Ramos; sisters Manuela Recaido, Criselda Rivera and Frances Galasinao, and five grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Agnes K. Maeshiro, 79, of Honolulu, a retired Hale Muu sales clerk, died last Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. She was born in Ewa. She is survived by sons Floyd G., Miles M., Curtis T. and Neal S.; brothers Yasukichi and Francis K. Oshiro; sisters Ochiyo Oshiro, Nancy K. Tamashiro, Toshiko Tome, Karen Y. Miyasato and Barbara T. Iha, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Rose L. Mazick, 94, of Marysville, Calif.,formerly of Wahiawa, died Feb. 9 in Marysville. She was born in Koloa, Kauai. She is survived by daughters Madeline Walczak and Dora Kammel; son William Abilla; sister Amelia Perreira; 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Prayer services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Priscilla M. Medeiros, 79, a retired manager at the Rainbow Hotel in Hilo, Hawaii, died Feb. 8 in Kona Community Hospital. She was born on Kauai. She is survived by daughters Lynette Ochmann, Wendy Medeiros and Pauline Roberson, 11 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Mission in Holualoa, Hawaii. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Kona Memorial Park.

Richard H. Miura, 78, of Aiea, formerly of Pearl City, a retired Naval Police officer at Pearl Harbor, died Thursday in Ann Pearl Nursing Facility. He was also an instructor for Zen Nihon Karate and a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company I. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Leatrice I.; sons Gary K. and Clyde T.; brothers Roy R. and Mitchell M.; sisters Ethel Inouye and Ida Endo, and four grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Conrado R. Nieva, 60, of Honolulu, an employee at Royal Construction Co., died Feb. 6 in St. Francis Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Zenaida; sons Jethro “Jet,” Jeffrey, Conrad Jr. and James; brothers and sisters, and five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Alice M. Olson, 88, of Honolulu and formerly of Waimea, Kauai died last Wednesday in Straub Hospital. She was born in Waimea, Kauai. she is survived by sister Matsue Furutani. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Eleanor L.A. Pelekane, 78, of Honolulu, a retired cafeteria worker of Kalihi-Kai Elementary School, died Feb. 3 in Kaiser Hospital. She was born in Holualoa. She is survived by son Garrett; daughters Lilinoe K. Manoha, Georgette Willis and Frances Pelekane-Oliva; brothers Elmer Ako, George Kahananui and Valentine and Reynold Ako; sisters Josephine Freitas, Rachel Kaopuiki, Lily Jane Nunies, Elizabeth Lee, Emma Ako and Elaine A. Spencer, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Philomena Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Rosaline R. Rodrigues, 83, of Lihue, Kauai, died Thursday in Wilcox Hospital. She was born in Puhi, Kauai. She is survived by daughters Bernice Hiranaka, Clara Nairo, Elizabeth and Florence Oyamot, Gwen Zaima, Priscilla Rego, Bernadette Hodges and Beverly Rapozo; son Donald Rapozo; sisters Mary Rapozo and Dorothy Texeira; 31 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Kapaa. Call after 9 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

Salaia Salavea, 61, of Honolulu died Feb. 7 in St. Francis Hospital. She was born in American Samoa. She is survived by husband Tovia; sons Leo, Andrew, Iulio, Kone and Peter; daughters Anita Ramiscal and Monica and Gloria Salavea; brothers Tiamu Lopa and Setu Taifane; sisters Sasa Iosefa, Siato Hammond, Olita Iese, Fa‘afeai Saipele and Faitotoa Niuamoa, and two grandchildren. Mass: noon Saturday at St. Patrick's Church. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Robert B. Samson Jr., 60, of Honolulu, a retired telephone technician with Bell Atlantic, died last Wednesday at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by sons Robert Cabuag and Duane, Michael and Raymond Samson; daughters Kehau Yoza and Stacey Samson; brothers Wilford, Stanford, Richard and Ronald, and 12 grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to noon. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers. Leis welcome.

Esther T. Sayaboc, 78, of Hilo, Hawaii, died Thursday on Oahu. She was born in Pearl City. She is survived by daughters Esther A. Sayaboc and Carol Carmichael; sons Fred, Jerry and Rodney; brothers Dutchy, Sam, Alan and Charles Shiroma; sisters Sadako Kaneshiro and Jean Nakamoto, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Itsuo Tokunaga,82, of Honolulu, a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer, died Feb. 7 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Nancy C.; daughter Christine, and sister Rosaline Ishihara. Services held.

Thomas T. “Tamo” Unemori, 73, of Kailua, a retired president and general manager for Worldwide Moving and Storage, died Friday at home. He was born in Kaupakalua, Maui. He is survived by wife Grace M.; daughters Joyce C. Unemori, Karen M. Matsushima and Terry S. Milhaupt; brothers Motohisa, Warren S. and David; sisters Tomiko Kono, Grace Phillips and Peggy Honda, and three grandchildren. Services: 4 p.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Inurnment: 10 a.m. Monday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to the American Cancer Society or Kuakini Hospital.

Martin J. Vitousek, 74, of Kona, Hawaii, a retired professor at the University of Hawaii, died Saturday in Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Tokataai; sons Clinton, Terii and Kimo; daughters Georgina and Taouea Vitousek, Bibiana Strickland and Marieta Prudholm; stepdaughter Catherine Wiggins, and a grandchild. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Friday at the Keauhou Canoe Club at Kona. Call after 4 p.m. Scattering of ashes at sea at sundown. Potluck gathering to follow. Aloha attire. Loose flowers and leis welcome.

James E. Wallace, 73, of Waianae, a retired lieutenant commander for the U.S. Coast Guard, died Thursday in Malama Ohana. He was born in San Diego. He is survived by wife Louise; daughters Elsie Foster and Evelyn Hunter, and two grandsons. Services: 11:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Eleanor N. Wimberly, 42, of Pearl City was remembered in private services. She was shot at her home Feb. 3 and died in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. She was born in Tokyo. She is survived by husband William “Dalton”; daughter Jennifer; parents Satoru Hirokane and Chieko Takata, and brother Richard N. Hirokane.