Obituaries

Friday, March 12, 1999

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Rites Sunday for
Petland founder Matsui

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Jiro Matsui, 79, of Pearl City, founder and owner of Petland and other outlets, died Saturday in Kaiser Hospital.

The first Petland was on Union Street downtown, said son Alan K. Matsui, and the Ala Moana store, originally called Birdland, was one of the first tenants at Ala Moana. The family also ran the Union Street Petland with a wholesale business in the basement until the 1970s when the new Hawaiian Telephone Co. building was in the works, Matsui said.

The Waimalu store recently closed, but Ala Moana and Kahala remain, he said.

“He loved pets and he loved people,” Alan said. “He seemed to find a way of getting people and pets together. No matter what time of the day or night, he was always willing to help people.

“One big thing for him was -- because the industry gave him so much -- he wanted to give back; and what he did was start the largest consumer pet show in the world; and that's held every year at Pomona Fairgrounds (in California) now. . . . He was involved in the pet trade internationally as well as locally.”

Jiro Matsui served from 1940 to 1946 with the 100th Infantry Battalion which became part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II. His decorations included a Bronze Star.

“I know he was in Italy,” said son Alan. “He never really talked about the war that much.”

He was a member of Club 100, the organization of 100th Infantry Battalion veterans.

In 1993, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii named Matsui “Retailer of the Year,” for his retailing skills and many community contributions.

The Honolulu native was a goldfish breeder before the war. He became owner and vice president of Petland in 1946, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii in 1949.

He became president of Pets Pacifica, the wholesale outlet, in 1977 and president of Global Pet Industries in 1978. Also, he owned Honolulu Aquarium and Pet Supplies from 1946 to 1977.

He became Western World Pet Supply Association vice president and director in 1974 and received that group's Edward B. Price Award in 1982. From 1979 to 1982, he was president of Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Also, he was a bird breeder and president of Waiawa Farmers from 1950 to 1983. Hobbies included fishing and gardening.

He is survived by wife Barbara T.; another son Kenneth J.; daughter Carol R.; brothers Tsuneoto and George; sisters Ritsuyo and Helen Matsui, Harriet Kusuhara and Kikuye Okinaka; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio. Call after 10:30 a.m. Casual attire.

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Nancy Y. Agena, 67, of Honolulu, a retired co-owner of the Printing House, died March 1 in Kuakini Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by husband Roy S.; sons Roy T. and Melvin M.; brothers Gensuke, Hisao, Masayoshi and Yoshihiko Matsuda; sisters Nobuko Matsuda and Fujiko Iramina, and five grandchildren. Private services.

Hudson K. Aki Jr., 54, of Wahiawa, a retired Honolulu Police Department officer, died March 4 in Kuakini Hospital. He was also retired from the Hawaii National Guard. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Edna K. “Ipo”; son Derek K.; daughters Ralna U. Souza and Sabrina K. Aki; father Hudson K.; brothers Jake Makaehu and Julian, George, Kalani, Harvey, Kaina, Hunter and Harmon Aki; sisters Melinda Souza, Lani Schreiber and Luana Peterson, and four grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Violet M. Au, 81, of Honolulu died Sunday in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Singapore. She is survived by husband Lawrence; son Edmund; daughters Carolyn Ching and Laverne Fukata, and three grandchildren. Services: noon Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.

David S. Bitler, 53, of Aiea, a technician with GTE Hawaiian Tel, died Sunday in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Sau “Q”; sons Kalani and Bo Maunakea; daughters Cheryl and Kalei; mother Helen Hubbell; father Bruce Bitler; brother Ronald Addington, and sisters Jenean Best and Judi Enright. Services: 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Bertha P. Caswell, 74, of Pearl City, who retired from Sky Chef, died Sunday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. She was born in Groblangheim, Germany. She is survived by son James; daughter Thyra, and three grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Thomas D. de Russy, 50, of Wailuku, Maui died Feb. 28 at home. He was born in Germany. He is survived by mother Christean and brothers Rene E. III, John L. and David H. Services at a later date.

Ann M. Doi, 89, of Honolulu, a retired Castle & Cooke account clerk, died Feb. 26 in St. Francis Hospice. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by daughter Dorothy S. Murakami and sister Tomoe Mori. Private services.

Moses Easton III, 53, of Honolulu, owner of the Mo Bettah Store at Pearl Kai Shopping Center, died Saturday in Honolulu. He was born in Atlanta. He is survived by common-law wife Pamela Kutzen and sister Mildred Lee. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Sunday at the Mo Betta Store. Casual attire.

Donald Goo, 71, of Honolulu died Tuesday. He was born in Waimea, Kauai. He is survived by wife Alicia; daughter Vinona; brother Samuel, and sister Gladys Carvalho. Services: 11 a.m. next Friday, March 19, at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Helen M. Hamelin, 82, of Honolulu, a former schoolteacher, died March 2 in Honolulu. She was also a translator for the U.S. Armed Forces. She is survived by husband Rolland and sons Rolland and Robin. Private services. Donations suggested to the Alzheimer's Association of Hawaii.

Paul C. Harada, 97, of Honolulu, a retired auto mechanic, died Feb. 27. He was born in Japan. He is survived by wife Shizuka; sons William, James and Lawrence; daughters Rith Yoshioka, May Takimoto, Florence Okano and Jane Harada, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Private services.

Yujiro Hase, 69, of Hawaii Kai and Japan, a retired hospital administrator, died Sunday at home. He was born in Japan. He is survived by wife Etsuko; sons Shinsuke and Seijiro, and two brothers. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary.

John R. Hendrick, 46, of Sunset Beach will be remembered in memorial services at 3 p.m. tomorrow at 59-181 H Ke Nui Road, Sunset Beach. Casual attire. He died swimming off Sunset Beach on Monday. He was born in Waukesha, Wis. He is survived by daughter Lisha J.; brother Joe; sisters Mary Jo Trodd, Luan Nugent and Monica McNally, and mother Marion.

Ann R. “Hanayagi Mitsuhatsu” Hirata, 49, vice president and treasurer for Roy's Auto Glass, died Wednesday. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Roy; son Darell; daughters Jamie and Dayna; parents James and Frieda Kanemori, and brothers Paul and Neil Kanemori. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Cremation to follow.

Clara C. Hosokawa, 81, of Honolulu, a retired vice principal at the Hanayagi Dancing Academy, died Saturday in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by brother Fred H. and sister Viola I. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary.

Francis M.A.P. Izumi, 66, of Honolulu, an attorney, died Tuesday in Straub Hospital. He was born in Hana, Maui. He is survived by wife Catherine. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Aloha attire. Donations suggested to the University of Hawaii Foundation-Francis M. Izumi Memorial Fund.

Allan J. Jackson, 78, of Hilo, a maitre d' hotel and sommelier at restaurants including Kahala Hilton, the Bistro, Arthur's and Andrew's, died Feb. 18 in Hilo Hospital. he was born in Holtville, Calif. He is survived by twin sister Petrecia Jane Bristol and brothers Roger L. and Denby C. Services at a later date.

Alexander K. Kealaula Jr., 57, of Honolulu died Saturday in Maluhia Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Marion L.; daughters Marion Lepolo, Claudine Cariaga and Emma Napulou; sisters Sandra “Ulu” Tom, Patricia Fonokalifi and Chappinette Martin, and two grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kawaiahao Church. Call from 5 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Call from 8 to 11:15 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Toshiyuki Kimoto, 87, of Wailuku, Maui, a retired processor supervisor at Pioneer Mill, died March 2 at home. He was born in Lahaina. He is survived by sons Robert and Glenn; daughters Edith Tanaka and Jane Oshiro, and 11 grandchildren. Private services.

Ruth L. Klausner, 84, of Honolulu, who worked with her husband at Genesco Corp., died Feb. 27 in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She is survived by brothers Stanley, David and Allen Wright. Private services.

Lillian S. Kubo, 85, of McCully, a retired packing forewoman from Dole Cannery, died Feb. 25 at home. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Roy T. and Ronald T.; daughters Jane H. Sakata and Carolyn K. Fujimoto; sister Irene M. Punohu, and six grandchildren. Private services.

Peter B.K. Lau, 83, of Honolulu, former owner of Aala Bakery and Peter's Food Market, died Sunday at home. He was born in Canton, China. He is survived by wife Florence K.L. Liu; sons George K.H., Richard K.C. and Henry K.H.; daughters Shirley W.F. Lau, Mary W.F. Tanaka, Nancy W.Y. Wong and Ruby W.K. Foo; brother James; sister Rose Ho, and 11 grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Lois I. Lee, 83, of Keaau, Hawaii, died March 4 in Hilo Hospital. She is survived by son Peter J. Harris; daughter Su Allen; stepson Paul Williams; brother David Englund, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Private services.

John Le Sen Lo, 53, of Kaneohe, a cook for the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel, died March 4 in Malama Ohana Kaiser Skilled Nursing Facility. He is survived by wife Soo Ling; sons Jonathan, Jamien, Joseph and Javan; father Chi Cheung, and sisters Karen Chun and Serena Cheung. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Waialae-Kahala Chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.

Jessie Yun Ling, 81, of Honolulu died Feb. 28 in Straub Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by sons Alfred Gabriel Jr. and Patrick and Gordon Ling; daughters Sally Chun and Eleanor Keck; sister Esther Kahele, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: noon tomorrow at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Rosary: 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Eichi “Charlie” Masaki, 86, of Pearl City, a retired watercress farmer, died Saturday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. He was born in Laupahoehoe, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Shizuko; son Dr. Damon; daughters Florence S. Katakura, Sarah N. Tome and Sharon Okuda; brother Tom; sister Grace Nakamura, six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 6:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Itsumi N. Matsuoka, 86, of Aiea, formerly of Koloa, Kauai, died last Friday at home. She was born in Kekaha, Kauai. She is survived by sons Noel and Jerome; daughters Naomi Inouye and Ginger Kaneshiro; brothers Minoru and Isao Nitta; sisters Amako Fujihara, Yoshimi Kawahara and Toyoko Miyazaki, and five grandchildren. Private services.

Tomeko “Sally” Miyamura, 78, of Honolulu, a S&S Saimin retiree, died last Friday in St. Francis Hospital. She was born in Waipahu. She is survived by son Alan; daughter Kathleen; brother Kotaro Hishinuma, and sister Fuki Tanno. Services: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Nuuanu Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Aniceto B. Pillos, 89, of Haleiwa died Feb. 19 in Haliewa. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Mauricia B.; son Jesus Dalumpinis; daughters Janell and Donella Pillos, Betty Lou, Lenora and Rebecca Dalumpinis, Olivia Arce and Donna Arial, 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. today at St. Michael Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: Noon tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Filemoni D. Ram, 51, of Kaneohe died Feb. 28 in Kaneohe. He was born in American Samoa. He is survived by companion Henrietta Ross; son Dick; daughter Valovalo; brothers Joe, Uko, Eleu, Tofu and Samasoni Asaeli, Runi Racoma and Leie and Tufa Filo, and sisters Fuifui Salausa, Faleogi Laufiti, Maopu Ualesi, Seni Sapp, Saioo Fuata, Kemukisa Asaeli, Kaualupe Moitoto, Kua Maui, Sewe'u Niko, Raynette Taii and Jessie Filo. Wake services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire.

Rubyann Respicio, 50, of Modesto, Calif., formerly of Ewa Beach, a program director in a nursing home in Modesto, Calif., died Feb. 22 in Modesto. She was born in Waipahu. She is survived by sons Michael A. and Mark Gouveia; daughter Melaine Gouveia; parents Artemio S. and Dolores A.; brothers Lawrence A., Tony and Proland M.; sister Trinidad; and grandfather Bruno. Memorial services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Joseph “Joe” Rowe, 83, of Honoipu, Hawaii, died last Friday in Kohala Hospital. He was born in Manhattan, N.Y. He is survived by daughter Vicki “Pua” and son Roger. No services.

David C. Santos, 56, of Waipahu died Sunday in Tripler Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by mother Violet and brother Abel. Wake services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.

Betty June Scott, 73, of Honolulu, formerly of Murray, Neb., a hostess at Bishop's Cafeteria, died last Friday at home. She was born in Cleveland. She is survived by son Craig Rutherford; daughter Cynthia Rutherford, and brothers, sisters and three grandchildren. Services on the mainland.

Titus P. Swain, 77, of Kalaheo, Kauai, a supervisor for the Pacific Missile Range Facility, died last Friday in Wilcox Hospital. He was also in the U.S. Army. He was born in Hawaii. He is survived by wife Anna May N.P.; daughters Haunani Gilpatrick and La Verne Silva; sisters Collette P. Tovi, Lorraine I. Mindoro, Valerie K. Lanning, Carrie K. Carvalho and Leslie Mokihana; brothers Earl M., Theodore M., Errol K. and Carl H. Lanning; seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kalaheo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Call from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Burial: Kauai Veterans Cemetery. Casual or aloha attire.

Tetsuo Tada, also known as “Jimmy” or “Tets,”83, of Honolulu, a retired manager for Chaco's Restaurant, died last Friday in Honolulu. He also retired from Sears Roebuck & Co. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Yasuko; son Ronald; brother Richard; sisters Tome Tawara and Katsuko Koga, and four grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Masayu Toma, of Lihue died March 3 in Wilcox Hospital. He was born in Kealia, Kauai. He is survived by sisters Hatsuko Sadamitsu, Ayako Shibuya, Chieko Shimizu and Laura Hiroka. Private services.

Joseph Tong, 81, of Honolulu, proprietor of a lunchwagon, died Feb. 22. He was born in Pennsylvania. He is survived by wife Billie; sons Joseph Jr. and Leslie; daughter Marion; brothers Charles and Joe Murray; sisters Alice Sleeter and Anna Mae MacVicker, five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Private services.

Matsuyo K. Uemura, 92, of Honolulu died last Friday in Kuakini Hospital. She was born in Waimea, Kauai. She is survived by sons Dr. Herbert and Paul; daughters Dorothy Slape, Marjorie Makanani, Katherine Wakayama and Jean Mundell; brother Herbert Koga, 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Makiki Christian Church. Call after 10 a.m. Private inurnment. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to Makiki Christian Church or a charity of choice.

Maryann B. Walton, 80, of Honolulu died Tuesday. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii. She is survived by sisters Luka Frazer and Nancy Baker. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Augustin By-the-Sea in Waikiki, 130 Ohua Ave. Call after 10 a.m. Aloha attire. No flowers or monetary gifts. Donations suggested to the Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.

Calvin L. Wilson, 74, of Makawao, Maui, a self-employed international architect, died March 4 at home. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He is survived by wife Elizabeth; son Gary; daughter Meri-Jo Abrams-Manuel; brother Kent; stepsons Richard Sruggs and Louis Abrams; stepdaughter Carol Torres; three grandchildren,six step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services: 4 p.m. tomorrow at Ballard Family Mortuary. No flowers. Donations suggested to Maui Symphony Orchestra.

Gertrude Y.K. Wong Yim, 92, of Honolulu died last Friday in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Clarence Jr.; daughter Greta Tom; brothers Dr. Hong Yee and Reuben Wong; sisters Violet Wong and Elizabeth Leong, and four grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Carol E. Yamamoto, 47, of Koloa, Kauai, a general office clerk with Robert's Hawaii, died March 4. She was born in Lihue. She is survived by husband Gary Y.; sons Kelsey, Titus, Curtis and Samson; parents Motomu “Rattle” and Gladys Onishi; brothers Warren and Terry Onishi; sister Jerilyn Fukushima, and grandfather Richard A. Goings. Services: 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Lihue Baptist Church. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire.

Harry Y. “Bozo” Yoshioka, 82, of Honolulu, a former employee for Libby's, died March 3 in Crawfords Care Home. He was born in Koloa, Kauai. He is survived by wife Chiyome; sons George and Bernard; daughters Linda Ota and Joan Chinen; mother Tsuruyo; brother George; sisters Jane Suzui, Alice Inake and Beatrice Sugai, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Casual attire.

Harold T. Yoshizumi, 60, of Makakilo, a service manager at Pflueger Lincoln Mercury, died Tuesday in Kaiser Hospital. He was also a Honolulu Painting Co. employee. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by wife Jane H.; daughter Cheryl E.; father Tadashi; brother Kenneth K., and sisters Elaine I. Skelton and Maile H. Tanimoto. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.