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Services Tuesday for
By Harold Morse
‘George’ Sano, travel
market exec
Star-BulletinPeter Schall, vice president and managing director of Hilton Resorts in Hawaii, says Joji "George" Sano was invaluable in helping bring business from Japan.
"Joji Sano introduced me to all the major Japanese tour companies, and he also made me aware of all of their expectations," Schall said.
"Every time I traveled to Japan, Joji Sano usually accompanied me. He knew all of the top executives in the tour and travel industry. He arranged for me to meet with all the top executives and middle management people, too."
Sano, Far East director of marketing for Hilton's Hawaiian Village, Waikoloa Village and Turtle Bay Hilton -- who worked 39 years for Hilton -- died Sunday at his Honolulu home. He was 69.
The Tokyo-born Sano learned English as a child from his father, a professor at Tokyo Dental College who was educated in the United States. After World War II, Sano picked up American slang and nuances from American occupation troops.
His career included 10 years with the Ford Motor Co. in Japan before coming to Hawaii.
He was manager of the Royal Tropicana Hotel before joining Hilton here in 1961 and becoming a U.S. citizen in 1965.
Sano is survived by wife Katherine; daughter Patricia Nahale; brother Akimasa; sister Yoko Fukuda, and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin at 1727 Pali Highway.
Angel C. Abcede, 71, of Honolulu, a retired vice president for engineering for G.W. Murphy Construction Co., died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Luz G.; children George G., Timothy G. and Angel G.; brother Reynaldo C.; sisters Aida A. Del Banco and Angie A. Esquerra, and two grandchildren. Mass of Christian burial: 9:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 800 Kaheka St. Call after 9 a.m. Graveside services: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Victoriano A. Asuncion, 93, of Honolulu died Saturday in Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Josefa; sons Carmelo and Marcelino; daughters Sabina Bocoboc and Consolacion Laoan, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Kioki K. Canape-Mole, 23, of Waianae died Jan. 31. He is survived by sister Nalua Aiu. Incorrect information was provided for an obituary published Wednesday.
Frances H.L. Goo, 91, of Honolulu, a foster parent to more than 800 children, died Wednesday at home. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Thomas, Eugene, Joseph, Allen and Alfred; daughters Marceline Freitas, Moana Goo, Pauline Mitchell and Georgia Avilla; brothers Anselm, Alexis and Winston Lum; sister Eva Kennedy, 26 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Lee Hollingsworth, 62, of Kailua died Wednesday at home. He was born in Austin, Texas. He is survived by wife Yoshiko; daughter Lea Viloria; brother Roy; sisters Nonalee Malone, Mattieolene Plew and Wanda Carlson, and a granddaughter. Services: 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 2 to 6 p.m. Services also on the mainland.
Betty T.S. Ikehara, 75, of Mililani, a retired office coordinator for RCA Global Communications in Guam, died Saturday. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Gregg; sisters Alice Kawata, Klara Takehara, Sally Matsuyama, Flora Yanagi and Elsie Suyenaga, and six grandchildren. Memorial services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 10:30 a.m. Inurnment: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Shichiro Kikuchi, 86, of Honolulu died Jan. 29 in Honolulu. He was born in Captain Cook, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Misayo; son Gary, and four grandchildren. Private services.
Tatsuyo Koyanagi, 72, of Wailuku died Feb. 1 in Maui Memorial Hospital. She was born in Wailuku. She is survived by husband Kazuo; son Brian; brother Koichi Yamaoka, and three grandchildren. Private services.
Blossom Manning, of Kaneohe died Feb. 1 in Castle Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Stephen, Michael, Patrick and William; daughters Joanne Hookano and Iris "Kahea" Manning; brother Robert Williams; sister Maile Kipilii; seven grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; a great-grandchild, 20 stepgreat-grandchildren and six stepgreat-great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.
Masao Morita, 86, of Honolulu, a retired carpenter foreman for Harry C. Uhler Home Builders, died Wednesday. He was born in Olaa, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Natsumi "Phyllis"; son Rodney; daughters Marian Hattori, Gail Inoue and Elaine Teraoka; brother Kazuo, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Dean S. Nanbara, 53, of Aiea, a shop foreman with Commercial Sheet Metal Co., died Sunday in St. Francis-West Hospice. He was born in Aiea. He is survived by wife Young Ja; daughter Sylvia Y.; mother Dorothy; brother Bert T., and sister Barbara Y. Shinsato. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Burial: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Hazel Marks Nobriga, 74, of Waimanalo will be remembered in services at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial to follow. Aloha attire. The additional information for an obituary published yesterday was provided by the mortuary.
Patricia M. Price, 65, of Anahola, Kauai, who was in assembly line work, died Wednesday at home. She was born in New York. She is survived by daughters Judith Coppin and Linda Puaoi; son Don; sister Betty; brothers John and Joe, and five grandchildren. Private services.
Estanislao A. Ramos, 76, of Waipahu died last Friday in St. Francis Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Eduardo, Robert and Elvis; daughter Reynalda Bangunan; sisters Alda Viernes and Fulceda Barcarse, and nine grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Loretta J.K.A. "A.J." Sakai, 64, of Waipahu, a state employee with the Judiciary Department in Honolulu, died Feb. 3 in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by brother Reginald "Rex" Auna, and sisters Barbara Dupont, Shirley Inaura and Judy Sajot. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.
Nicholas G. "Nicky" Silva, 76, of Kalaheo, Kauai, a retired truck driver with Kauai Commercial, died Tuesday in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. He was born in Kalaheo, Kauai. He is survived by wife Beatrice; sons Joey, Nicholas D. and Bernard; brother Joseph A.; sister Theresa Beerman, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services: 4 p.m. Monday at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Call after 3 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Lester S. Takashima, 78, of Kapaa, Kauai, a retired machinist with the County of Kauai, died Monday in Wilcox Hospital. He was born in Piopio, Hawaii. He is survived by sons Dexter, Dean and Galvin; daughter Mona Kitasoe; brother Edward, and six grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Kapaa United Church of Christ. Casual attire.
Ma'a "Chou Lee" Tanuvasa, 54, of Ewa Beach died Feb. 2 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Western Samoa. He is survived by wife Fia'avae; son Ma'a Jr.; daughters Jeannie A. Lalau, Victorialyn F. Agbayani and Valerie F. Gaoteote; mother Leuta Fonoti; brothers Malo Seleni, Seliva Chou Lee and Faatali, Alalita, Wayne and Mark Fonoti; sister Lalelei Fonoti, and four grandchildren. Wake services: 6 p.m. Sunday at Olive United Methodist Church. Call after 3 p.m. Graveside services: 9 a.m. Monday at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Peter A. Thill, 51, of Mountain View, Hawaii, a carpenter, died Sunday in Hilo Hospital. He was born in California. He is survived by son Edward; daughters Tina and Maranata; father Lyle L.; mother Shirley Davenport, and brothers John and Lyle II. No services.
Estrellita "Esther" Uhrig, 60, of Waianae, a retired receiving clerk with Sears Roebuck, died last Friday in Ewa Beach. She was born in Hilo. She is survived by husband Jack W.; children Bonny L. and David Batulanon Jr., Jasmin D. Asing, Gina Heal and Jacqueline A. Vilmaire; mother Tillie M. Veniegas; brothers Dennis Sevilla, Rudy Lopez and Reuben and Kelly Veniegas, and sisters Arlyn Story, Sandy SeVilla, Adelita Argus, Crinko Woodward and Jan Leota. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
Juan "Busta" Wakilina, 73, of Waipahu died Feb. 2. He was born in Kealia, Kauai. He is survived by sons Wallis, Ogden, Wesley and Walton; daughters Wendy Wakilina, Wanda Kameoka and Willa Millan; brother Florencio Espinosa; sister Leona Omo, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
Rudolph H. Williams, 67, of Honolulu died Feb. 2 in St. Francis Hospice. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Vera; son Dale Funakoshi; daughters Charmaine Nunes, Cathy Arakaki and Cindy Decenzo; sisters Emma Jordano and Mary Chronister; brother Alex Pangdang, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery with military honors. Casual or aloha attire.
Sanford B.D. Wood Jr., 68, of Oak Brook, Ill., a former executive with Sears Roebuck, died Jan. 22 while vacationing in Mexico. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Diane; daughters Pamela Davis and Kathryn Jackson, son Sanford "Chip" III, and 10 grandchildren. Burial at a later date. Memorials suggested to the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521.
Richard M. Yawata, 88, of Honolulu, a retired benefits and safety administrator for Castle & Cooke Terminal, died Feb. 3 at home. He was born in Ewa. He is survived by wife Mabel S.; sons Richard M. Jr. and Randall K.; daughters Maile M. and Cheryl K.; brother Shigeru; sister Judy Sugai, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden 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.
