Obituaries

Tuesday, April 20, 1999

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Robert Holmes, 87,
was guiding light to
local choral groups

By Harold Morse, Star-Bulletin

Robert E. Holmes started the Beverly Hills Madrigals, forerunner of the Kailua Madrigals started by his friend Shigeru Hotoke.

“I'm so grateful for knowing a man like him,” Hotoke said. “He was a wonderful, wonderful man.”

He had a positive influence on high school chorale groups on the entire West Coast, as well as in Hawaii, Hotoke said.

Holmes, 87, founder of the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts in the Los Angeles area, died March 18.

Holmes had planned to visit the Hotoke family this summer, as he did annually.

One of his Madrigal singers at Beverly Hills was future entertainer Jeffrey Apaka, son of legendary island singer Alfred Apaka, who died in 1960. Jeff Apaka has credited Holmes with providing him a solid musical foundation.

Holmes' long, award-winning career included teaching music in Ohio, Indiana and Southern California.

Holmes is survived by wife Elaine; sons David, Dwight “Buzz” and Robert Jr. “Robby”; daughter Judith; and 10 grandchildren. Daughter Jeanne Marie Ritter preceded him in death last year.

Hotoke gave the eulogy at Holmes' service at Idyllwild April 10. Donations in Holmes memory may be made to Idyllwild School of Music, P.O. Box 3244, Idyllwild, Calif. 92549-3244.

Elmore “Tiny” Ammons, 79, of Honolulu died last Tuesday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Calhoun, La., he is survived by sons Elmore “Clyde” Ammons, Ronald Youngblood and Chico Fernandez; daughter Pennie “Cookie,” Sylvia “Baby Girl” and Lucille Fernandez; brothers and sisters on the mainland; 25 grandchildren; and companion Carmen Fernandez. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Friday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Akira Antoku, 87, of Lahaina died Sunday in Kahului Hale Makua. Born in Puukolii, Maui, he is survived by sons Allan, Milton and Bernard; daughters Marion, Susan and Amy Antoku, June Seo and Grace Kinoshita; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Lahaina Methodist Church. Casual attire.

Joseph K.K. Auld, 82, of Honolulu, a retired auto mechanic, died April 11 in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Della; son Edgar; daughters Edith Aila, Peggy Franks and Rona Medina; sisters Pearl Kanialii, Eunice Kaina and Jemina Kim; 19 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren. Services: noon Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Moises D. Bagaoisan, 77, of Honolulu died March 7 at home. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Severa; sons Medel and Henry; daughters Emy Magcalas, Melvida Ramos and Apolla Bagaoisan; brothers Calixto and Ricardo; sisters Eugenia and Aniana Bagaoisan and Marciana Asuncion; 16 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Church, Queen Emma Square. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

John Balaz, 86, of Wahiawa, a retired welder leading man from Naval Shipyard, Shop 11-26, died last Tuesday in Wahiawa. He was also a state corrections officer. Born in Bystrica, Slovakia, he is survived by sons John M., James G. and Joseph P.; daughter Grace Ann “Auntie Nalehua” Knox; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-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 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.

Mary J. Carroll, 28, of Aiea died yesterday in Straub Hospital. Born in Bangkok, she is survived by father William, mother Chantip Ennis, stepfather Robert Ennis, brothers Suwit Thanee and Brendan Carroll, and grandmother Gloria. Private services.

Arnold S. Chinen, 49, of Kaneohe, a painter, died Wednesday in Kailua. He was also a full-time minister with Jehovah's Witnesses. Born in Kaunakakai, he is survived by wife Cindy, sons Aaron and Brandon, mother Sumako, father Shigeo, and brothers Burt and Don. Services: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 1:30 p.m. Inurnment: 2 p.m. Monday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers.

Lillian T. Downen, 69, of Nanakuli, a retired waitress of Diner's Restaurant, died April 6 in Ewa. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughter Linda A. Mabborang and care giver James H. Yamamoto. Graveside services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mililani Cemetery. Casual attire.

Matalena A.V. Faitau, 80, of Honolulu died April 11 in Honolulu. Born in American Samoa, she is survived by husband Usuvale; sons Sefo and Kelemet Usuvale, Foloi Faitau and Robert “Junior” Godinet; daughters Patsy and Tafaoga; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services: 12:15 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Aurelia Ferguson, 66, of Phoenix, a private home nurse, died last Tuesday in Phoenix. Born in the Philippines, she is survived by sons Aurelius Warren and Michael, Roy and Leslie Gentry; daughters Christine Warren and Gloria Gentry; sisters Louise Lee and Margaret and Mary Ferguson; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Bessie Y. Fujioka, 76, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Straub Hospital. Born in Paia, Maui, she is survived by son Gregg M.; brother Michio Tanaka; and sisters Shirley Murakami, Patsy Nasu and Sachiko Hayashi. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m.

Santiago G. Grande, 72, of Eleele, Kauai, a retired Sheraton Kauai Hotel steward, died April 3 in Kauai Veterans Hospital. Born in Tarlac, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Bernarda; sons Santiago Jr., Jimmy, Joey and Reynante; daughters Gloria Aranzaso and Rebecca Arciaga; brothers Rizal, Carlos, Espino and Cirilo Jr.; sisters Aurelia Grande and Fedilina Domondon; and 14 grandchildren. Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kalaheo, Kauai. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hanapepe Public Cemetery. Casual attire.

Bungo Hamai, 88, of Hilo died last Tuesday. Born in Japan, he is survived by wife Shizuko, sons Jay and Michael, daughter Kay Carhart, sister Akiko Nagao,and three grandchildren. Private services.

Joycelyn K. Hanoa, 63, of Hilo, a retired floral designer, died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Waimea, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Graylaine “Gray” and Robert Hanoa and Oliver Shimaoka; daughter Oliverine Moore; brothers Palmer and Walter Victor; and sisters Helen “Chab” Andrade and Orchid “Momi” Shimaoka. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.

Miyoko Hikiji, 86, of Lawai, Kauai died Saturday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Makaweli, Kauai, she is survived by sons Harold and Herbert; daughters Mildred Littlefield, Betty Meltzer, Elsie Saito and Ruth Nitta; sister Kikue Hashimoto; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday at Garden Island Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Nancy Hirata, 81, of Lahaina died Thursday in Hale Makua, Kahului. Born in Lahaina, she is survived by husband Ichio; daughters Sharon Murashima and Lynette Miyamoto; brother Richard Nomura; sisters Beatrice Young, Dorothy Sakuma and Margaret Tanabe; and four grandchildren. Services: 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Lahaina Hongwanji. Casual attire.

Maxwell K. Hopeau, 47, of Honolulu, a truck driver for Amazon Contruction Co., died April 10 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Linda; son Shanon; daughters Lisa and Angel; mother Ruth; brother John K. Jr.; sisters Fanny Hopeau, Nellie Ahina, Loretta Kekoa, Georgina Hoopii and Larine Kaolelo; and three grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Cremation to follow. Scattering of ashes: 10 a.m. Saturday at Waikomo Beach, Makaha. Casual attire.

Violet M. “Nanny” Houghton, 85, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii died April 6 in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Lichfield, England, she is survived by daughter Janice Willett, son Terrance, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services and sharing: 5:30 p.m. Friday at Kona Outdoor Circle, Educational Center, 76-6280 Kuakini Highway. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to the American Lung Association.

Iluminado A. Irurita, 84, of Waipahu died March 30 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by sons Toledo and Pedro Irorita, daughter Ofelia Valintec, brother Benjamin Irorita, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Mabel L. Jones, 85, of Honolulu, a care giver, died April 9 in Kailua. She was born in Norfolk, Va. Private services.

William Kaawaloa, 82, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired heavy equipment operator for S.K. Oda Ltd., died last Tuesday at home. Born in Kapaahu, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Minnie; sons William, Lionel, Jesse, Stanley and Jerry Kaawaloa and Herbert Elderts; daughters Leilani Ring, MaryJane Kamoku, Gladys Miller, Piilani Kaawaloa and Jerilyn Nii; brothers Junior Sonny and Edmund Kaawaloa and Kainoa Makali‘i; half-brothers Albert, Edward and Abraham Ah Hee; half-sisters Dorothy Kauhane, Lydia Makuakane, Mary Lei Kubo, Mildred Enos, Winifred Enriquez and Evangaline Waikiki; 30 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

David H. Kahananui III, 47, of Kapaa, Kauai, a maintenance worker for Coco Plantation, died April 2 at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Cherle; stepson Shane Barretto; stepdaughters Sonya Villatora, Lori Coyaso and Jolin Barretto-Ramos; father David Jr.; brothers Henry Jr., Alfred and Scenri Smith; sisters Patricia Contrades, Emily J. Tung-Loong and Lian Cinningham; and 10 grandchildren. Services held.

Harumi Kawaharada, 99, of Haiku, Maui, died Friday at home. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she is survived by son Allan; daughters Jane Wakasa, Hazel Imamura, Stella Kawaharada, Elaine Taketa, Nancy Shimoda and Jean Ogata; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Thursday at Makawao Hongwanji Church. Casual attire. No flowers.

Hing Sum Lau, 63, of Honolulu, former owner of Mini Garden Restaurant, died Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Canton, China, he is survived by wife Tze Hing Tsang, daughter Lin Kwai, mother Pui Ying and a great-granddaughter. Taoist services: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Cataline “Kay” Look, 73, of Honolulu died April 8 in Honolulu. Born in Kau, Hawaii, she is survived by daughters Seanna G. Neary, Naomi Rejincos and Adela Bonifacio; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Private services.

Josephine M.M. “Bunny” Ludwig, 61, of Hilo died Tuesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by sons Richard and Steven Mata and Bennette Ross; daughters Penny N. and Elizabeth “Tina” Mata and Ingrid “Nalani” Stevens; brothers Bernard, Robert and Leslie Tom, William Yomes, Charles Kaulupali, Ron Ka-ipo, Gregory Yomes and Pauahi Ontai; sisters Mary Ann Striffler, Yolande Prin cler, Wennonah Dias and Ellen Kealohapauole; and 10 grandchildren. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Glad Tidings Church, 116 Kapiolani St. Call after 9 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Seu F. Mau, 96, of Kaimuki, a retired federal employee, died April 11 in St. Francis Hospice. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sons Robert and Richard, daughter June Seid, brother Seu Kee, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. No flowers. Donations suggested to St. Francis Hospice. Casual attire.

Robert H. “Bob” McNabb, 83, of Paradise Park, Hawaii, a pastor for the United Methodist Church, died Thursday at home. Born in Charles City, Iowa, he is survived by wife Doris, sons Dan and Robert, daughters Gail Wing-Mooi McNabb and Margie J. McNabb-Matsushita, sister Margaret Penn, eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild and foster children. Memorial services: 3 p.m. today at the McNabb residence in Paradise Park, Hawaii. Call after 2 p.m. Casual attire. Bring umbrellas.

Jeremy J. Meyer, infant son of Jeffrey J. and Layla K. died March 30 in Fort Hood Hospital, Texas. He is also survived by grandparents Brian E. and Wilma M. Faust, James H. Meyer and Sean L. Kingsley; and great-grandparents Maurice Morita of Honolulu, Jessie Humple and Florance Faust. Services: 2 p.m. tomorrow at Hawaii National Cemetery.

Hideo Mizuki, 78, of Kihei, Maui, a retired lifeguard with the County of Maui, died Friday at home. Born in Kihei, Maui, he is survived by wife Ethel, daughters Linda Iwamoto and Doreen Miyagawa, sisters Sadae Kasahara and Mitsue Aloy, and a granddaughter. Services: 5 p.m. Thursday at Nakamura Mortuary. Inurnment: 10 a.m. Friday at Maui Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers.

Pedro U. Ormita, 88, of Waipahu, who retired from Hawaiian Airlines, died April 12 in St. Francis-West Hospice. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Gladys Y.K.; sons Ronald, John and Carli to J. Retuta; daughter Gloria Cadiz; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Mass: 11:15 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Tomi M. Shimizu, 95, of Honolulu died Thursday. Born in Kumamoto-Ken, Japan, she is survived by daughters Ethel Tamura, Agnes Shimizu, Helen Imai, Margaret Sasaki and Leatrice Nishida; 12 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Services: 4 p.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 3 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

John B. Stanley, 88, of Honolulu, a retired colonel of the U.S. Army, died April 12 in Honolulu. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he is survived by wife Chizu and daughter Marianne Griffith. Private services. No flowers. Donations suggested to Paralyzed Veterans of America, Spinal Cord Research Foundation.

Catherine M. Stump, 74, of Lahaina died Monday. Born in East Grande Forks, Minn., she is survived by husband John, daughters Pamela-Jean Stump and Christine Ann Grijalva, brothers George and Jack Brady, sister Florence Youngern, three grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Private services.

Beatrice Tancayo, 52, of Honolulu died Thursday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Christopher and Peter Ching, daughter Vinancia Jones, sister Mattie Chong and three grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Asano Togashi, 82, of Honolulu died April 8. Born in Osaka, Japan, she is survived by son Glen K. and two grandchildren. Private services.

Michael G.B. Tom, 52, of Honolulu, a sculptor and teacher, died April 12 in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Pamela Simon and sister Crystella Kauka. Memorial services: 5:30 p.m. Friday in the “Sculpture Garden” at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. No flowers. Donations suggested to Honolulu Academy of Arts or Academy Art Center.