• Mabel Char • Michael Kocher Jr. • Laura Silva • Louise Yates • Van Nakamoto • Gregoria Planas Mabel Char Mabel Puanani Char of Waimea, passed away at KVMH on Jan. 11, 2015, at the age of 87. Born on June 6, 1927, in Lihue,
• Mabel Char • Michael Kocher Jr. • Laura Silva • Louise Yates • Van Nakamoto • Gregoria Planas
Mabel Char
Mabel Puanani Char of Waimea, passed away at KVMH on Jan. 11, 2015, at the age of 87.
Born on June 6, 1927, in Lihue, Kauai, she was an entertainer with Smith’s Boat.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Barnie K. Char; five brothers, Abraham Akuna, Daniel Akuna, George Malaia, Bernard Malaia, and Kenneth Malaia; and sister, Rusty Peters.
She is survived by her three sons, Russell (Marilyn) Char of Poipu, Rawlins (Mila) Char of Kekaha, and Barnie K. (Joy Grindley) Char of Hauula; five daughters, Jackie (Mark) Gray of West Jordan, Utah, Eula Mae (Tama) Taala of Waimea, Apryle Wong of Laie, Sue Ann (Mark) Texeira of Hanapepe, and Cheryle Anne (Danny) Woolsey of Colorado; 29 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Gordon”Lani” Akuna of Honolulu; three sisters, Lillian Park of Georgia, Elsie Kali of Las Vegas, and Beverly Kahaleoumi of Kauai; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at 9 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormon) in Kekaha. Services will be at 11 a.m., followed by a burial at the Kauai Veteran’s Cemetery in Hanapepe.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Michael Kocher Jr.
Michael Sheehan Kocher Jr., was born just before sunrise on May 4, 1995, at Wilcox Hospital in Lihue, Hawaii. He left this life Jan. 3, 2015.
He left behind parents Michael and Patricia (King) Kocher of Hanapepe; grandparents Helen Marie and Al Kocher of California; brothers Logan Ikaika King Ka’aihue of South Dakota; sisters Irene Marie Kocher of Texas, Malia Ka’aihue, Pua Ka’aihue, Keanu Ka’aihue, and Virginia Ka’aihue of Hawaii; Aunties and Uncles Jed and Crystal Kocher of Kalaheo, Debbie and Barry Smith of Nevada, Frank and Linda Labowski of Arkansas, Doris King, Joyce and Frank Botta, Karen King, Sam King, Don Ham — all of Texas, and Rodney and Hope King of Tennessee; Hanai Aunties and Uncles include Joy and Chuck Ferguson, Jo Hopper, Pam Kapana, Kaimi Keamoai Strickland, Liz and Jon VonCruzenstern, Dr. Jim and Sophie Johnson.
Family gone ahead include: maternal grandparents Mitchell King, Irene Mashburn King Ham, and Papa Bruce Ham; auntie Melissa Kocher O’Connor; hanai uncles and aunties Linda Dodge Kohler, Garry (MakaPo) Ka’aihue, Elvis Kanahele, and Max Hopper.
Michael attended KEO preschool in Kalaheo, Eleele Elementary School, St. Teresa School, Hiwassee Dam School in NC, Waimea High School and Kauai Community College. He worked at Bubbles Below Diving Charters. He was an experienced mason and carpenter.
Michael loved the ocean and everything outdoors, especially if it involved his friends. He was an avid swimmer, soul surfer, fisherman, diver and hunter. He would go diving and come home with a pig. He loved sports — swimming, football, basketball, cross-country running and golf. He loved traipsing around the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests of southern Appalachia with his friends that meant so much to him.
His best friends include Patrick Keamoai Strickland, Chase Uyeno, Ikaika Ruiz, Kaimi Lei Keamoai Strickland and Micah Liana of Hawaii; and Enoch Christopher, Gabe Starks, and Sam Starks of North Carolina.
Michael had an incredible, contagious zeal for life that made him so great to be around. He loved and respected his friends. He loved babies and children and his dog Na Malu.
A celebration of life luau is being planned for March 28 at Salt Pond. The community is invited to join in honoring his life.
If you have pictures or stories that you would like to share, please contact his family at PO Box 951, Hanapepe, HI 96716 or MSKJR.ALOHA@gmail.com. Mahalo to all of you sharing God’s love and compassion at this time.
Laura Silva
Laura C. Silva of Kalaheo, Kauai passed away on Jan. 16, 2015, at her home in Kalaheo at the age of 93. Born on Sept. 6, 1921, in Kalaheo, Kauai, She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Antone S. Silva, and her two sons, Russell A Silva and Jeffery J. Silva.
She is survived by her daughters, Audrey Silva (Gene Mendes), Laureen (Howard) Ranis; son: Randy (Nani) Silva; daughter-in-law: Adele Silva, brother: Walter Caldeira, 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Church Cemetery in Kalaheo.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Louise Yates
Louise A.K. (Field) Yates of Kapaa, passed away on Jan. 16, 2015, at home surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 73. Born on Oct. 14, 1941, in Honolulu, she was a pathology transcriptionist with Wilcox Hospital and Clinical Labs Hawaii.
She is survived by her daughters, Marcia (Michael) Buratti of Kapaa and Monica Ka’auwai of Kapaa; four grandchildren, Kalanikauleleiaiwi Ka’auwai, and Kalani, Rachel, and Emma Buratti; brother, David Field of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister Jewell Coté of Kamuela, Hawaii; numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Louise’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at the All Saints Episcopal Church at 9 a.m., officiated by Rev. Robin Taylor. Service begins at 10 a.m., with a private inurnment and refreshments to follow.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Van Nakamoto
Van N. Nakamoto passed away on Jan. 1, 2015, at the age of 68. Born in Lihue, Kauai, he was a retired receiving supervisor for Times Supermarket.
He is preceded in death by his father, Haruo “Dyna” Nakamoto.
He is survived by his mother, Lily Nakamoto; brother, Wade (Betty) Nakamoto of Wailua; three sisters, Arleen (Denny) Sakai of Lihue, Marilyn Nakamoto of Honolulu, Gail (Donald) Kuranishi of Honolulu; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services were held. Family suggests no koden.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Gregoria Planas
Gregoria Esona Planas passed away on Jan. 18, 2015, at her residence in Kapaa, at the age of 85. Born on March 12, 1929, in Waimea, Kauai, she was a retired housekeeping manager with Kauai Beach Boy Resort.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Florentino Esona and Manuela Esona; brothers, Luciano Esona and Ambrosio de Lota; and sisters, Maxima (Conrado) Caspillo of Kapaa and Bernadette (Ben) Dakai of Kilauea.
She is survived by her two sons, Leslie (Dina) of Kapaa and Gregory (Laurie) of Kapaa; two daughters, Bridget (Don) Evans of Arizona and Georgia (Gerard) Silva of Kalaheo; two brothers, Salvador (Carrie) Esona of San Jose, California, and Raymond (Rose) Esona of Kilauea; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at the Garden Island Mortuary Chapel in Lawai at 10 a.m. Services will begin at 11 a.m. The family suggests casual attire.
Arrangements have been handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
