Obituaries

Saturday, May 15, 1999

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Keith Ahue, HGEA
deputy director,
dies at 48

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Keith Ahue, deputy director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association and close Cabinet-level adviser to former Gov. John Waihee, died Thursday in St. Francis Hospice. He was 48.

"It is a tragic loss for this union's 40,188 men and women," said Russell Okata, HGEA executive director.

"Keith was an insightful and inspiring leader. His calm demeanor and his wonderful sense of humor brought out the best in people. People looked to him for thoughtful guidance, and he never failed to deliver."

Okata said he counted Ahue as one of his most trusted advisers and a friend.

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, acting governor while Gov. Ben Cayetano is out of state, said: "Keith Ahue was a dedicated public servant.

"He worked for the people of Hawaii as the capable head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources under Gov. John Waihee. He also served as director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. He was a vocal and effective advocate for the members of the Hawaii Government Employees Association where he last served as deputy director.

"He will be missed. I join the people of Hawaii in offering his family our heartfelt condolences."

Born in Honolulu, his postgraduate education included the trade-union program at Harvard in 1989.

In his 1974-1990 HGEA career, he rose from union agent to supervising agent, field services officer, special programs officer and deputy director.

His state government service found him as 1990-91 deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; 1991-93 director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and 1993-1995 chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

From 1995 to the present, he was once again HGEA deputy director. His life included a number of other community and professional activities.

He is survived by wife Linda, father Wilford, and brothers Cliff and Kent.

Services will be at 11 a.m. May 28 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial will be at noon in Hawaiian Memorial Park.

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Genevieve M. “Jean” Ahonen, 88, of Wailuku, formerly of Anchorage, Alaska, died last Saturday in Kahului. Born in Aurora, Ill., she became a cake-decorating teacher for Maui Community College and office volunteer for a community work day program. She has no survivors. Service over her ashes: 5 p.m. Tuesday at Kepaniwai Park (Hawaiian Pavilion) in Iao, Maui. Donations may be made to the Maui Symphony. Casual attire.

Mary R.K. Auman, also known as Mary Reese King Auman, 75, of Kailua died Thursday in Kailua. Born in Decatur, Ala., she is survived by husband Harvey C.; sons Steve and Robert; daughters Kim Zigal and Ann Auman; and nine grandchildren: Elizabeth, David, Michael, Robert, Benjamin, Emily, Trevor, James and Aliya. Service: 4:30 p.m. Monday at Kailua United Methodist Church. Call 4-4:30 p.m. Burial in North Carolina. Aloha attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to Kailua United Methodist Church.

Felix P. Castanito, 85, of Kahului, formerly of Honolulu, a retired Flamingo Chuckwagon cook, died Tuesday in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Mila. Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary-Norman's, call from 6 to 9 p.m.; and 10 a.m. Thursday at the mortuary, call from 9 to 10 a.m. Burial, Maui Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Everett J. “Sparky” Cordeiro, an auto mechanic, died May 2 in Aiea. He is survived by companion Joyce L. Kahue; sons Lawrence, Robert and Bert; daughter Raynell Park; hanai daughter Ashley Kahue; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorial service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 91-1004 North Road. Family members can call from 9 a.m.; friends from 9:30 a.m. Private scattering of ashes. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Norberto C. “Berto” Draculan, 82, of Kahului died Monday in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Restilinda N.; sons Rodney and Dale; daughters Marina Ursua, Bernadette Cachola and Tammy Ancheta; brothers Narcisco and Pablo; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Mass: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Vigil follows at 9:30 p.m. at Imelda and Robert Casio's home (Norberto's residence). Service: 10:45 a.m. next Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary-Norman's. Call from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Peggy Ferris, 80, of Honolulu, a public relations employee for the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce and state Department of Transportation, died May 3. Born in West Virginia. Survived by cousin Philip Bohnert. Service: 10 a.m. May 29 at Sts. Peter and Paul, 800 Kaheka St.

Georgia B. Gleason, 86, of Honolulu, a retired Washington state teacher, died Monday. Born in Montana, she is survived by daughter Mardi; and grandchildren/ care givers George G. Brandt and Cerrie. Memorial service: 5 p.m. Monday at St. Clement Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Ave. Casual attire.

Juan A.R. “Johnny” Gomez, 49, owner of the Upholstery Factory, of Paia, Maui, died Tuesday in Maui Memorial Hospital. He is survived by wife Nona; son Llewelyn K.; daughters Katherine G.K. Chung and Angela L. Gomez; sisters Raquel DeHoop and Ramona Arizes; and brothers Jesus, Julio, Antonio, Fidel, Ricardo, Jose, Gabriel, Gilbert and Michael. Mass: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Rosary Church. Call after 6 p.m. Service: 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Call from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial, Valley Isle Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Barbara Y. Higa, 75, of Mililani, a retired federal administrative assistant, died May 4 in St. Francis Hospice West. Born in Waipahu, she is survived by brother Masaru; and sisters Hatsuko Higa and Masako Taba. Private services.

Winifred C. Ho, 65, of La Palma, Calif., died Wednesday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Erwin S.W.; sons Robert and Russell; daughters Donna Lee and Denise Johnson; mother Ngit Sim Chu; brothers Jo seph, Clarence, Rodney and Edmund Chu; sisters Daisy Chang, Rose Mau and Geraldine Dere; and six grandchildren. Services to be held in California.

Alice O. Koyanagi, 84, of Haleiwa, retired owner of Esmond Store in Haleiwa, died Monday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Waialua, she is survived by husband Richard M.; son Richard M. Jr.; daughters Sandra Sato and Brenda Teranishi; brother Richard Yamashina; sisters Margaret Kealoha, Florence Miura, Sueko Souza and Asako Yamashina; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorial service: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m.

Edward T. “Sonny” Lumabao, 59, a mechanic for Gay & Robinson, died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Makaweli, Kauai, he is survived by wife Violet G.; sons John and Bert Nunes, Destry and George Lumabao, and Clarence Corpuz Jr.; daughters Desiree Palama and Shirley Barieno; and 12 grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick/Kauai Mortuary Chapel in Koloa, Kauai. Cremation to follow. Casual/aloha attire.

To Ly, 60, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Vietnam, she is survived by sons Jason and Anthony Dai; daughters Joanne Dai and Krystine M.H. Lieu; ex-husband Trinh Bon Dai; brothers Nguu, Tieu Nguu and Hank T.H.; sisters Kitty Tsui, and Muoi, To Hue and Ester T.T. Tran; and three grandchildren. Chinese Buddhist service: 3 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Mortuary.

Kiku I. “Lillian” Miyasato, 89, a retired state Department of Education teacher, died Thursday at home. Born on Kauai, she is survived by sons Lawrence M. and Dr. Myles C.; daughters Karen Onouye and Linda Wilson; brothers Keiji and Dr. Harold Itokazu; sister Tomiko Yamashita; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Service: 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Holy Cross. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire.

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Mitsuo Sagawa, 100, of Honolulu died May 4 in Castle Hospital. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she is survived by sons Tsutomu and Herbert T. Koge, and Theodore T. and Kenneth K. Sagawa; daughters Mitsuwa Okinaga, Patsy S. Tatsuguchi and Judy M. Aneuber; 12 grand- children; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services held.

Mabel B. Van Skoik, 84, of Kailua, a retired manager from Insurance Co. of North America in Richmond, Ind., died Wednesday at home. Born in Akron, Ohio, she is survived by son Roger Jr., daughter Jennie Roberts, brother Bob Barr, four grandchildren, and a great- granddaughter. Private services.

Marion M. Sugimoto, 72, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Rolland S.; sons Wendell K. and Wesley M.; mother Misae Ichida; sister Margaret E. Moriguchi; and two grandchildren. Service: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Yeiko Tokairin, 68, of Honolulu, former owner of Tohoku Travel Service, died Thursday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Roland; daughters Ann Tokairin and Jan Kaneshiro; and brothers Tokio, Torao, Takao, Kikumaru and Tatsuo Taniguchi. Service: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. No flowers. Casual attire.

Gabriel Toro, 84, of Waianae, a federal government and Ilikai Hotel Security retiree, died May 5 in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Waipahu Stable Camp, he is survived by children Dolores M. Garcia, Monsarrat “Hattie” Mendez, James P. and Lawrence L. Toro, Florence F. Rivera and Lydia M. Puha; brother Manuel Torres; sister Dolores Krajewski; 27 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Mass: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial, Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Randall K. Unruh, 49, of Hanalei, Kauai, a proprietor of Pedal N' Paddle, died May 7 in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Newton, Kan., he is survived by son Justin R.; daughter Kristi Alvarenga; brother Steven Stull; sisters Cindy Dodo and Patti Vassar; and two grandchildren. Private services.

Maxine “Auntie Macky” Weatherall-Sanders, 74, of Waipahu, a retired psychiatric aide for Sagamore Hills Hospital in Ohio, died May 7 in Honolulu. Born in Arkansas, she is survived by daughters Patty Joseph, Debra J. Cross, Maxine Banks and Marcia Gaines; hanai daughter Marie Kauhako; sons Edward Joseph and Vernon Sykes; hanai son Jonathan Kauhako; nine grandchildren; two hanai grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Service: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pali View Baptist Church, 45-510 Halekou Road. Aloha attire.

Robert L. “Bob” Winters, 64, of Vancouver, Wash., a Navy and U.S. Air Force service officer who was also the director for the U.S. Veterans Administration's regional office in Honolulu, died last Saturday in Washington. Born in Chicago, Winters was awarded the Purple Heart and Vietnam medals. He is survived by daughters Sue Normandin and Barb Anderson; sons Tim and Tom; and six grandchildren. Services on the mainland. Donations suggested to the American Red Cross or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Edward H. Yamaguchi, 64, of Honolulu, Hawaii Truck Equipment mechanic, died last Saturday in Straub Clinic & Hospital. Born on Maui, he is survived by wife Amy K.; daughters Donna Young, Dolly Ahquin and Yvonne “Nani” Glory; sons Edward and Darius; sister June Kunui; and several grandchildren. Service: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.