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Frank E. Keifer,
Star-Bulletin staff
isle hospitals exec,
dies in CaliforniaFrank E. Keifer, a veteran Hawaii hospital official, died Feb. 7 in Sonoma, Calif., where he had lived since 1981. He was 79.
Keifer worked in hospitals on Molokai, Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu during his 25 years in Hawaii.
He served as administrator of Molokai Hospital and Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital before becoming president and executive director of the Hospital Association of Hawaii.
Keifer then accepted the position of administrator at Hilo Hospital, and served concurrently as administrative director of the Hawaii County Hospital System, with Hilo satellite hospitals in Honokaa, Kohala, Kona and Kau.
"He tried to improve the hospital situation in Hawaii," said Dr. Paul Stevens, practicing medicine on Molokai since 1959.
"When he first came to Molokai he had two goals, to build a new hospital and to have it accredited. He accomplished both goals."
Stevens remembers Keifer as a friendly, outgoing person "liked by everyone who knew him."
He retired from the Hawaii County Hospital System in 1975 after working for nine years because of his desire for "new challenges in a new environment," he said at the time.
Keifer said of his tenure on the Big Island, "I believe that I have made some major improvements of the facilities of the Hawaii County Hospital System and laid the groundwork for future changes and improvements."
During his career on the Big Island, a hospital was constructed in Kau in 1971 to replace a plantation-operated infirmary, and a $4.3 million hospital was built in Kona.
Two years following his retirement from the Big Island, Keifer became administrator of the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe, succeeding Lee Wheeler.
During his administrative career, he served on numerous professional organizations and advisory boards.
He was director of the Health Facilities Planning Council of Hawaii, a board trustee of the Hospital Association of Hawaii, and a delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Hospital Association.
He was also a member of the advisory committee to the University of Hawaii Health Manpower Planning Project, and chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Hilo Community College Associate Degree Nursing School.
He was also a member of the Governor's Commission on Mental Health and Criminal Justice, and a member of the American College of Hospital Administrators.
Gladys H.S. Ahn, 83, of Wahiawa, a retired salesclerk for Ethel's Dress Shoppe, died Feb. 18 in Kahuku Hospital. She was the first co-owner of Seoul Inn Korean Restaurant in Wahiawa. She was born in Wahiawa. She is survived by son Robert. Private services.
Ilaisaane K. Ailolo, 49, of Kahului died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Tonga. She is survived by daughter Seini Dennis; son Tony Head; mother Manu Tauese; brothers Tavese Ailolo, Kolo Pupunu and Sione, Lamisi, Angafili and Tali Tauese; sisters Ofa Kauvaka, Faaoso Tone, Tanginoa Vincent and Fetuu Fotuaika, and three grandchildren. Call from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at First Assembly of God Life Center, and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the center. Burial: Maui Memorial Park.
Alfred J. "Al" Allencastre, 76, of Haiku, Maui, died Saturday. He was born in Hana, Maui. He is survived by wife Helen M.P.; sons Alfred J. Allencastre Jr., Wayne Matthew and Fabian Mark; daughters Bernadette B. Fernandez, Juventius "Kookie" Garces and Maxine L. Appleton, 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Church in Makawao, Maui. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Makawao Cemetery. Casual attire.
James H. Armitage, 81, of Kula, Maui, died Friday at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Roselle; son A. Clive; daughters Virginia Kynast and Stephanie Sakugawa; brother John R.; sister Margo A. Morgan, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services: 3 p.m. tomorrow at Ballard Family Mortuary. Services: 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Oahu Chapel. Inurnment: Oahu Cemetery. Aloha attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to charity.
Roland I. Armitage, infant son of Vicki K. Perriera of Pukalani, Maui, and Chad Armitage of Hilo, died last Tuesday at home. He is also survived by grandparents Mary and Leonard Nakoa Jr., Robert and Charmaine Armitage, Norman and Maggie Kinney and Frank and Toni Perriera, and great-grandparents Rodrigo and Emma Natividad, Margaret Cummings and Raymond Liu. Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Na Wai Eha Cemetery. Aloha attire.
Casimiro A. Barruga, 88, of Honolulu, a World War II veteran, died Feb. 21 in Oahu Care Facility. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Macaria; sons Casimiro Jr. and Constante; daughter May Rose Gonda Jr.; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Friday at Mililani Memorial Park. Call from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.
Bernard Bauman, 71, of Waikoloa, Hawaii, a retired supervisor for the Ford Motor Co. in Michigan, died Saturday at home. He was born in Detroit. He is survived by wife Marie J. and sisters Virginia Bauman and Elaine Crane. Mass: 6 p.m. Thursday at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea, Hawaii. Casual attire. No flowers.
Vicente G. Bautista, 89, of Wailuku died Monday in Maui Memorial Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Felicitas "Fely"; sons Belden C., Clifford, Clarence and Melvin; daughter Margie B. Piano; brothers Gene Quaguin and Adriatico Bautista; sister Mrs. Eugenia Bueno, and two grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Maui Memorial Park, Garden of Meditation. Casual attire.
Albert F. Bediamol, 88, of Kahului died Saturday in Hale Makua. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Gloria T.; sons Ted, Edward, Thomas, Gordon, Maurice and Alex; daughter Carmen Goble, and sister Maura Da Hang. Mass: 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Theresa's Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside services: 11:15 a.m. Friday at the church. Call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Mildred M. Cabral-Wright, 71, of Honolulu died Saturday in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by children Lyle Smith, Kerry and Ray Wright and Stephanie Cameros; brothers Mervin and Manuel Cabral; sisters Connie Santos and Pearl Werjowski, and eight grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Private graveside services. Casual attire. No flowers.
Augustine "Bo-Chan" Carnal, 79, of Keaau, Hawaii, a mechanic for Puna Sugar Co., died Feb. 21 in Hilo Hospital. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by brothers Pedro "Pete" Haspe and Hilario "Larry" Ramiscal, and sisters Rosalia "Rose" Calica, Mercy "Marcy" DeLeon and Lauriana "Laurie" Bibilone. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Prayer services: 10 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. No flowers.
Magdalena L. Castro, 73, of Honolulu, a retired supply clerk for Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, died Wednesday in Straub Hospital. She was born in Ewa. She is survived by daughters Rose Lunasco and Lydia Rivera; son David Jr.; brothers Alfred Laureta and Conrado, Rosendo, Isidro and Roy Pojas; sisters Florence Ugale, Flordelisa Garcia and Rebecca Somera, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
Helen O. Chow, 93, of Honolulu, housekeeper for a doctor's office, died Feb. 8 in St. Francis Hospice. She is survived by sons Albert, Fredrick, Walter and Wilfred; sisters Alice Ching and Elsie and Daisy Ho, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Private services.
James A.K.P. Chrystal, 75, of Honolulu, a retired land surveyor for Walter P. Thompson and the state, died Feb. 13. He was born in Seattle. He is survived by wife Lila and cousin Gerry O'Krane. Celebration of life services: noon Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire. Donations suggested to Hawaii Cancer Society or charity.
Feliciano Detol, 91, of Kaneohe, also known as "Felix" or "Shano," a retired stevedore from Castle & Cooke Co., died Feb. 13 in Kailua. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Willie F., Phillip L., Gilbert K. and Alfred A. Detol and Anthony, Victor and Glenn Leopoldo; daughters Jeanette Gallardo and Dorene A. Detol, 33 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Services: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Aloha attire.
Robert P. Dohr, 81, of Appleton, Wis., a bank accountant, died Sunday in Honolulu. He is survived by sisters Rita Veerkamp, Lilas Dohr, Marjorie Palmer and Dolores Smith, and brothers Paul, Russell and Carl. Services on the mainland.
Sherman N. Dowsett, 79, of Holualoa and formerly of Honolulu died Dec. 23 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by children Sherman Jr., Melvia, Barbie, Keawe, Tiana and Wade; brother Laurie, and sister Joan. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Cathedral. Aloha attire. No flowers or monetary gifts. Donations suggested to Kona Hospice.
George I. Emoto, 73, of Honolulu, a retired Oahu Hotel and Restaurant Supply sales manager, died last Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. He was born in Lihue. He is survived by wife Clara A.; sons Stanley S. and Douglas K.; brother James; sisters Frances Ono and Nancy Nishimoto, and three grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire.
George D. Hale, 35, of Kihei, Maui, died Feb. 1 in Maui Memorial Hospital. He was born in Springfield, Mo. Memorial services: 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Keawalai Congregational Church in Makena. Aloha attire.
Kiyoko Hedani, 88, of Honolulu died Feb. 20 in Wahiawa General Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Clyde, Henry and Earl; daughter Glenda Joyo; brother Harry Torigoe; sister Jeanette Arakawa, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Ruth M. Heffelfinger, 86, of Honolulu died Feb. 18 in Honolulu. She was born in Aiea. She is survived by daughters Ruth Hozaki and Sandra Heffelfinger; sons Gerald Jr. and James, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: 1 p.m. tomorrow at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
James L. Herman, 68, of Hilo and Omro, Wis., a retired principal and elementary school supervisor in the Omro School District, died Saturday in Queen's Hospital. He was born in Dorchester, Wis. He is survived by wife Eldrid; sons Brian and Kenneth; daughter Lynn Ricker; brother Clifford; sisters Geraldine Sebold, Dorothy Hartman and Myrtle Glasbrenner, and four grandsons. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Friday at the First United Protestant Church, Wainuenue Avenue. Call after 9:45 a.m. Casual attire.
Kenichi Inafuku, 86, of Honolulu, a retired owner of Robert's Market, died Saturday at home. He was born in North Kohala, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Hatsuko; son Wendell A.; daughter Jeanette T. Tajiri; brother George K.; sister Kiyoko Toguchi, and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Ayano Ishikawa, 93, of Hilo, a licensed practical nurse at the former Hilo Hospital, died Feb. 10 in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Hilo. She is survived by daughters Aiko L. Doi and Winnie Ishigo; brother Hideo Ikeda, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services were private.
The Rev. Israel "Ezik" Kamoku, 83, of Hilo, pastor of Ke Kilohana Oka Malamalama Church, died Friday in Hilo Hospital. He was also a retired employee of the state Department of Education. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by wife Iwalani S.; son John; stepson Harold Mokeao; stepdaughter Elsie Kihano; brother Elvin; 23 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Friday at Ke Kilohana Oka Malamalama Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Mauna Kea Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Louis K.K. Kealoha, 70, of Aiea, who retired from Hickam Air Force Base and Hawaii National Guard, died Thursday in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Beatrice L.; sons Vernon, Randy and Louis M. Kealoha and Andre A. K. Peters; sister Annie Dagway; brother Philip Konohia, and a granddaughter. Mass: 11 a.m. Thursday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
John Kearney, 69, of Honolulu, a retired salesman, died Feb. 19 in Honolulu. He was born in Pennsylvania. He is survived by companion Barbara Albino; sons John Jr., Philip, Michael, Gaylon and Brian; daughters Regina and Sharon Kearney and Barbara Gatewood, and a sister and brother. Services: 2 p.m. today at Sts. Peter and Paul Church and 7 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church on South King Street. Aloha attire. Donations suggested to St. Francis Hospice.
Dannette K.M. Kepo'o, 62, of Waianae died Feb. 5 in Queen's Hospital. She was born in Wailuku, Maui. She is survived by sons Pohakuhauoli D., Kamule L. and Hanalei K.; daughters Kawahinekeakaokalani D. Kepo'o and Kealohapauolepualani R. Ahnee; stepsons; stepdaughters; brother Daniel P. Moikeha Jr.; sister Gladys K. Montgomery; mother Evelyn K. Moikeha; eight grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Waianae Ward. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Laie Cemetery. Casual attire. Monetary gifts welcome.
Kiyoko T. Koizumi, 77, of Pearl City, a retired sales clerk for Sears Roebuck and Co., died Thursday in Hale Mohalu Senior Apartments. She was born in Kau, Hawaii. She is survived by son Howard; daughters Lynette Mizumoto and Janice Iwane; sisters Teruko Vespie and Thelma Santos, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: noon Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 11 a.m. Aloha attire.
Fernando J. Mariano, 66, of Aiea, a retired maintenance man at Manoa Shopping Center, died Feb. 12 in St. Francis-West Hospice. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Julita; sons Oliver and Bobby; daughters Mayda Ubando, Imelda Ramirez and Donabel Ventura; brothers Teodoro and Luis; sisters Tessie Domingo and Precentacion Abad, and 14 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony's Church in Kalihi. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Susumu "Sus" Matsumoto, 71, of Hilo, a retired construction surveyor for the state Department of Transportation Highway Division in Hilo, died Saturday at home. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by wife Betty S.; son Mort, and brother Eddie M. Services: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Call after 4 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.
Isami Matsuo, 75, of Honolulu, who retired from the U.S. Army, died Feb. 11 in Tripler Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by brother Akira and sister Harue Enoka. Private services.
Jack O'Conner, 35, of Kahuku died Wednesday in St. Francis Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Frances Abregano-O'Conner; son Beau; daughters Chasity and Brandi; parents Charlene White and Jack O'Conner; brothers Jerry "Bobo" and Ryan; sisters Tricia Williams, Stacy Jones and Cindy Henderson, and grandfather John Cuarisma. Mass: noon Saturday at Sts. Peter and Paul Mission, Waimea. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Tsutomu "Dyke" Okubo of Honolulu died Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. Also known as Francis Tsutomu Okubo, he was a retired shipping and receiving manager for the Hawaii Newspaper Agency. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Karen; stepsons Todd and Troy Tadaki; stepdaughters Terry Tadaki, Lisa Ann Nakamoto and Leanna Yamauchi; sisters Shirley and Betty Nakahara, Nancy Lopes and Jean Doi, and four grandchildren. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Bernadette U. Perez, 46, of Waianae died Feb. 17 in Honolulu. She was born in Hana, Maui. She is survived by son Christopher Keliiheleua; sisters Pearl and Gwendolyn Perez, Genevieve Balisacan and Florence Kekiwi; brothers Alfred, Allen and Rudolph Perez and Lawrence Kekiwi, and father Lawrence Kekiwi. Services: noon Thursday at Kaneohe Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.
Earl F. Riley, 79, of Kailua-Kona, a retired Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles County, died Feb. 13 in Kona Community Hospital. He was also a private arbitrator, mediator and judge. He was born in Greensburg, Ind. He is survived by wife Sue Canter, and daughters Sharon Fellows, Patricia Chartrand, Dr. Erin Riley and Carla Riley-Felt. Scattering of the ashes held.
Esteban M. Rucero, 88, of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii, a retired farm laborer, died Saturday in Hilo Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Leticia; daughter Estrella Andres; sisters Placida Rucero and Francisca Torriejos, and three grandchildren. Graveside committal services: noon Saturday at Alae Cemetery. Burial to follow. Casual attire.
Marion C. Smith, 76, of Hilo died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. She was born in Matamoras, Pa. She is survived by husband Ernest A.; daughters Judith A. Rowan and Sandra L. Smith; sons Robert H., Gary E., Keith A. and Jeffrey C., eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Friday at Dodo 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.
