Band leader, composer,
By Harold Morse
producer Dant dies
Star-BulletinCharles G. "Bud" Dant, band leader and composer and Kailua-Kona resident, died Sunday in Kona Community Hospital. He was 92.
The musically gifted native of Anderson, Ind., served as executive director of the Association for Hawaiian Music. A former Hollywood conductor, maestro Dant made Kona his home for more than a quarter century.
Dant started his music career in the 1920s and played with Hoagy Carmichael, composer of "Stardust." Dant, who traced his Carmichael ties to 1926, arrived on the Big Island after many studio band credits in films and recordings.
In radio, Dant arranged and conducted music for Jack Benny, Dennis Day and Bob Hope. He worked in television with Lawrence Welk. He was a producer for Decca Records, helping to promote jazz figure Pete Fountain's career, producing 43 of his albums.
He briefly succeeded Webley Edwards, founder of "Hawaii Calls" -- the longtime Hawaiian music radio show.
He also produced albums by Hawaii performers, including music composed by Alex Anderson and songs sung by Alfred Apaka and Melveen Leed.
Dant belonged to St. Michael's Catholic Church and was song leader of its Hawaiian choir. Also, he was band leader at Hulihee Palace.
He is survived by his wife June; son Christopher Dant; daughter Susan Wertheimer; stepdaughter Anne Sheray; and two grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael's Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Call after 9 a.m. at the church. Casual attire. No flowers.
King Bo Cheong, 85, of Honolulu, a former chef of Sun Sun Lau Restaurant of Hilo, died Monday in Honolulu. He was born in Canton, China. He is survived by wife Edith; sons Eddie, Man-Hun, George, Cameron and John Cheong and Jimmy Kawakami; daughters Lynda Cheong and Janice Pestana, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Graveside services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers. Joseph Y. Cho Jr., 64, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, a laborer for Greenwell Farms, died Monday in Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Kona, Hawaii. He is survived by sons Stanford, Milton L. and Warren D.H.; daughters Valerie L. Cho and Mary J. Finau; brothers Walter and Robert; sisters Frances Gaspar and Linda Cho, and four grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Lanakila Congregational Church in Honalo. Call after 5 p.m. for an all-night visitation. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.
Anna S.W. Erlandiz, 59, of Kaneohe died Monday in Castle Hospital. She was born in Anahola, Kauai. She is survived by husband August; daughter Anne C. Erlandiz and Gidget C. Rose; son August C. Jr.; mother Anne S. Hussey; brothers Solomon Jr., Nelson and Issac Kaai and Allen Kapali; sisters Mary and Charlotte Kaai and Charlene Molbergus, and six grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Hope Chapel, 45-815 Pookela St. Call after 5 p.m. Committal services: 9 a.m. Tuesday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Billie W. Flaminio, 94, of Waipahu died last Thursday in Waipahu. She was born in Illinois. She is survived by sons Robert and Don and a grandchild. Private services.
Angeline K. Iokia, 64, of Waianae died Oct. 27 in Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Joseph; daughters Delina Kekino, Iseylene Epperson, Jacklyn Silva, Helene Nahina, Davelyn Smith, Debra Johnson, Josette West and Velva Peters; sons David and Samuel Ha'o, Preston Kuamo'o, Michael Keaulana, Harold Peter's and Joseph Jr., Samuel, Jerry, Sherwood, Hauoli and Joey Iokia; brothers William Kihewa, Daniel Kaimi, William Lopes, Wilfred Kihewa, Daniel Kaimi and William, Wilfred and Clifford Lopes; sisters Julia Parks, Muriel Hauhio and Frances Brown, 60 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Nanakuli Door of Faith Mission, 89-142 Haleakala Ave. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery. Aloha attire.
Fujie Iwaoka, 77, of Honolulu died Oct. 25 in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Ginichi; son Gregg; daughters Amy Takeuchi, Faye Kaneshiro and Jean Kam, and four grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire.
Christopher V. Koruan, 46, of Waianae, a carpenter, died Saturday in Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. He was born in Chula Vista, Calif. He is survived by wife Doreen T.; sons Corey and Cruize; daughters Francine and Jessica Costa; mother Antonia "Toni" Vernon; brothers Thomas and Steve, and sister Nancy Camarda. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart-Waianae, 85-786 Old Government Road. Call from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cremation to follow. Scattering of ashes: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday off the Coral Sands Beach in Maili. Casual attire. No flowers.
John B.C. Lau, 87, of Honolulu, a retired employee of Hickam Air Force Base, died Oct. 18 in St. Francis Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Jane; brothers Tommy and William "Chubie," and sisters Grace Blake, Marjorie Nakahodo, Lucille Wong and Mae McGinnis. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Private inurnment. Casual attire. No flowers.
Phillip J. London, 97, of Kilauea, Kauai, a manufacturing foreman, died Monday in Hale Omao Nursing Home. He was born in Russia. He is survived by son David and daughter Michelle Carroli. Private services.
Juana N. Madayag, 81, of Kapolei died Oct. 19 in St. Francis-West Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by sons Teofilo, Ernesto, Fred and Rogelio; daughters Fortunata Calica and Juanita Agustin; sister Remedios Navarro, and grandchildren. Mass: 8 p.m. Monday at St. Jude Catholic Church. Call after 6 p.m. Burial will be in the Philippines.
Charlotte H. Margolis, 57, of Waikoloa, Hawaii, a teacher at the Waikoloa Elementary School, died Saturday in Kona Community Hospital. She was born in Wewoka, Okla. She is survived by daughter Sara K.; Ken, the father of her daughter; mother Pauline H. Harbour; sister Victoria Gerig, and brother Daniel L. Harbour. Memorial services: 7 p.m. Saturday at Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes suggested to Waikoloa Elementary School.
Hope Y. Meyi, 48, of Honolulu died Oct. 19 in Honolulu. She was born in Arizona. She is survived by husband Lionel and daughter Divina-Marie. Private services.
Robert T. Michihara, 69, of Mililani Town, a retired mason for Reef Development, died Friday in Mililani. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by brothers Masaharu and Henry T. and sister Joyce Mitsue Ohta. Private services.
Jean M. Mickey, 79, of Honolulu died Monday in Aloha Nursing Center. She was born in Alabama. She is survived by husband Ross; sons Dr. John and Ross Jr., daughter Leilani and two grandchildren. Private services.
Nina Miles, 91, of Honolulu died Oct. 22 in Arcadia Health Care. She was born in Okanogan, Wash. She is survived by niece Karen Holder. Private services.
Margaret "Maggie" Nakano, 85, of Kona, Hawaii, a retired coffee farmer, died Monday in Keauhou Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. She was born in Kona, Hawaii. She is survived by son Raymond; two grandsons and guardians and care-givers Donovan and Roberta Cho. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church Hall in Honaunau, Hawaii. Call after 8 a.m. Inurnment to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.
Takeo Nishimura, 93, of Honolulu, a retired waiter and bartender at the Halekulani Hotel, died Oct. 24 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Ernest T.; daughters Violet A. Murakami and Nancy Y. Fujioka; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Private services. Family suggests no gifts and flowers.
Kimiko O. "Nancy" Otsu, 84, of Kahului, a retired legal secretary for the County of Maui, died Oct. 26 in Kahului Hale Makua. She was born in Hamakuapoko, Maui. She is survived by son Donald and sister Yukiko Hum. Private services.
Theodore I. "Ted" Oyama, 58, of Honolulu, an architect with the state Department of Accounting and General Services Design Branch, died Oct. 16 in Kaiser Moanalua Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Todd K.M.; daughter Janeen N.; mother Thelma S., and sisters Kay K. Yogi and Barbara N. Oyama. Memorial services: noon Sunday at St. Alban's Chapel, Iolani School. Casual attire. No flowers.
Harriet H. Perry, 68, of Aiea died Friday in Kaiser Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Clarence; son Rance; daughters Stella Foreman, Susan Mawae and Sheryl "Candy" Walker; brother Tokinori Tanouye; sisters Effie Kaibara and Kay Higa, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Chiyoko Remotap, 83, of Honolulu, a retired presser with Hawaii Linen, died Friday in St. Francis-West Hospice. She was born in Waialua. She is survived by husband Crispin; sons Clarence and Gary; sister Haruko Sunada, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Casual attire.
Tevita P. Talamai, 66, of Kahului, a salesperson at a swap meet, died Monday in Wailuku, Maui. He was born in 'Ahau, Tonga. He is survived by sons Vili and Sione Talamai and Siosifa, 'Etuate and Malakai Vehikite; daughters 'Asinate Vehikite and Kaneisi 'Aholelei; brothers Taniela, Kilikiti, Salesi and Nauvai; sisters Fifita and Kolosia, and 26 grandchildren. Call after 6 p.m. Friday at First Assembly of God Family Life Center, 707 Puunene Ave.
Hatsuno Tamashiro, 86, of Kahului, who worked in the housekeeping department at Maui Beach Hotel, died Friday in Maui Memorial Hospital. She was born in Ewa. She is survived by sons Haruji and Isao; daughter Nancy Shishido; brothers Seichi and Seiko, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Private services.
James M. Taura, 93, of Kaneohe, a retired carpenter, died Sunday. He was born in North Kohala, Hawaii. He is survived by daughters Jean Leong and May Taura, and care-givers Albert, Michael-James and Allison-Dianne Leong. Services: 11 a.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m.
John M. "Johnny Moniz" Tavares, 86, of Kula, Maui, a retired inspector for the County of Maui Board of Water Supply, died Monday at home. He was born in Kehua, Maui. He is survived by daughter Jeanette Vares; son Herbert; brother Alfred; sisters Virginia Langwell and Lucy Scott; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Prayer services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial to follow. Aloha attire.
Yukiyo S. Uejo, 90, of Honolulu, a retired seamstress for C.S. Wo, died Tuesday at home. She was born in Koloa, Kauai. She is survived by sons Stanley and Thomas; daughter Marjorie Nunokawa; brother Matsuo Shimabukuro; sister Hatsue Agena; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Yukiko "Yuki" Umetsu, 71, of Aiea, a retired food service worker at Shirokiya, died Friday in St. Francis-West Hospice. She was born in Okinawa, Japan. She is survived by sons Ted T., Edward T. and Charles Y.; daughter Cher A. Kaneshiro; sister Tomi Kinjo, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: noon Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 11 a.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Christy Vargas, 13, of Kona, Hawaii, a student at Kealakehe Intermediate School, died Friday in Kona Community Hospital. She was born in Paragould, Ark. She is survived by mother Cynthia Tagavilla;grandparents Stephen and Judy Graves; sister Amy, and great-great-grandparents. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Kona United Methodist Church, 74-4960 Palani Road. Aloha attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Ronald McDonald House, 1970 Judd Hillside Road, Honolulu 96822.
Edward J. Walsh, 83, of Naalehu, Hawaii, a retired iron worker, died Sunday in Kau Hospital. He was born in New Jersey. He is survived by wife Cora; sons Edward J. III and Douglas, and sister Helen Gomez. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Sunday at South Point. Scattering of ashes to follow. Casual or aloha attire. Flowers welcome.
Tatsuo "Makule" Yamamoto, 78, of Pukalani, Maui, a retired harvest operator for Maui Land & Pineapple Co., died Monday in Maui Memorial Hospital. He was born in Puunene, Maui. He is survived by wife Hisayo; son Glenn; daughters Nora Knox and Sharon Mamuad; brothers Sueki and Mataki; sisters Masami Otsubo, Daisy and Dorothy Nishida and Betsy Watanabe, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday at Nakamura Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
You can also search the Hawaii State Library System's
Hawaii Newspaper Index online for older obituaries at:
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/hiindex.html
The index, which goes back several decades,
is available via Telnet software.
