Obituaries for June 10, 2015
Obituaries for June 10, 2015
Lori Nobriga Nakamoto
Lori Jayne Nobriga Nakamoto was born on June 2, 1968, and went peacefully home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at the age of 46 years, 11 months and 29 days young. She was born in Waimea, Kauai to David Nobriga, Jr. and Solidad Esteban. She was raised by her grandparents David and Eleanor Nobriga, Sr. in Puhi camp, Kauai. Along with her brother, Douglas, she spent a majority of her youth with her Uncles Mark Nobriga and Anthony Nobriga and Aunties Rosemary Robley and Regina Kaui, her hanai siblings.
She attended Wilcox Elementary, Kauai High School, and the University of Hawaii, where she received her Masters of Education Early Childhood Special Education in 1997. She spent her 16 year professional career as a Special Educator with Honolulu Community Action Program — Head Start from 1997 to 2013. She loved being an advocate for kids with special needs and for parents who were overwhelmed with the bureaucratic process. She loved working alongside the various resource partners within and outside of HCAP. Towards the end of her career she was assigned as a Liaison and temporary manager for the Health and Disabilities team. She was known as a compassionate manager who truly worked to serve others. She loved serving the underserved and made lasting impacts on many children and families.
In 1989, she met Sean Nakamoto through a friend and via a brief courtship was blessed with the joy of her life, Brandi Vanessa Pi’ilani O Kalani O Napua Nakamoto on Dec. 17, 1989. On January 13, 1990, Sean and Lori were married by Judge Choy at the steps of the Circuit Court of Hawaii with their families support. They had their wedding reception at the famous Flamingo Chuckwagon. Lori and Sean recently celebrated their 25th silver wedding anniversary this past January and renewed their vows.
Lori loved her family, especially her daughter Brandi. She was a great wife, a great mom, a great sister, a great daughter and granddaughter, a great niece, a great cousin, a great aunty and ohana was very important to her.
Lori was an integral part of a new church plant in October 2012 with New Hope Aloha Pau’ole, where Sean became an associate pastor. Her role and her serving was to be the best pastor’s wife God called her to be to her husband — to pray for him, to speak life into him, to support him, to call him out at times when needed … Sean was her ministry.
In October 2012, she was diagnosed with Anal Canal Melanoma, a rare form of melanoma skin cancer that begin inside of the body and not outside. The prognosis was not good, but Lori committed to glorify God in all things regardless of the circumstances, situations or outcome. Lori’s cancer was so rare that she was part of a clinical trial drug and was the first one in Hawaii to be part of this drug. Lori fought the good fight. She glorified God in times that were rough and times that were good. She made the most of her time during the duration of her cancer.
Lori loved God and loved people — all people. She always made it a point to be concerned more of others than herself. She lived out the love of Jesus and her legacy will live on through her love of her husband, daughter, family and friends.
Lori is survived by her husband Sean, daughter Brandi. Parents David and Allison Nobriga, Jr. and mother Solidad Amos. Grandparents David and Eleanor Nobriga, Sr. Brothers Douglas Nobriga (Lisa), Davin Nobriga (Rose), and Steven Amos. Sisters Vanessa Nobriga (deceased), Jasmine Ferris (Kamu) and Christine Green. Parent in law Ron and Becky (deceased) Nakamoto, brother in law Ryan Nakamoto and sister in law Melanie Pile Nakamoto. Numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
We would like to especially thank the following people: Her Care Group — Team Lori, Dr. Clayton Chong and staff, Dr. Ronald Wong and staff, Dr. Victoria Wang, Queens Medical Center 7th Floor Ewa cancer ward and all the nurses — especially Rosalia, Kathy and Kari, Clarie Yoshida and Dr. Nyun from the Queens Pain and Palliative team, Queen’s Cancer Center and all the nurses, St. Francis Hospice nurses and staff, Dina Martinez, Becky and Dr. Dellinger, Tony Olayer and his lomi lomi hands, all the family and friends who prayed for her, supported her and loved on her through her battle. A big Aloha Pau’ole (never ending) love to her church ohana at New Hope Aloha Pau’ole.
Lori finished well. She lived a full life. She loved all.
Lori we love you, we miss you, but we know that you are with the Father and we will see you again.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Services are set for Saturday, June 13, 2015, at New Hope Oahu Sanctuary, 290 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu.
Visitation 8:30 with service 10 a.m. Casual attire, no flowers.
A memorial service will be held in Kauai in July to be determined date.
Lucita Salud Kam
Lucita “Lucy” Salud Kam of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on May 25, 2015, at Queens Medical Center at the age of 58. She was born on January 10, 1957, in the Philippines. Lucita was Office Manager for Dr. Alfred Liu, MD.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Luciano and Juanita Salud, of Lihue.
Lucita is survived by her husband Westley Kam of Honolulu; daughter, Marissa Kam of New York; brother, Romeo Salud of California; sister, Jo Ann Salud of Lihue; step-mother Anita Salud, of Lihue; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Lucita’s life will take place at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, 30 N. Kukui Street, Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday, June 20, 2015. You may visit with the family at 11:30 a.m. with service to follow at 12:30 p.m. The family suggests casual attire and respectfully asks no flowers.
The family is being assisted by Hosoi Garden Mortuary.
Nobuko Taira
Nobuko Taira of Puhi passed away in Garden Isle Health Care on May 2, 2015, at the age of 80. She was born on May 19, 1934, in Koloa, Kauai and she was a member of the Lihue Senior Center where she sewed fabric leis to contribute to the annual craft sale.
Nobuko is preceded in death by her parents Kamesuke and Ushi Taira; brothers, Minoru Taira and Shigeru (Janice Reiko) Taira of Kauai and Isamu (Haruko) Taira of Florida.
She is survived by her sisters, Yoshiko Higa of Kapaa, Hanami (George) Kohatsu of Honolulu, Ayako (Alfonso) Garcia of Hanamaulu; brother, Tsutomu (Chiga) Taira of Georgia; nieces and nephews.
Private graveside services were held at Kauai Memorial Gardens on May 22, 2015.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Taira family with arrangements.
Edward Nobriga
Edward John Lei Nobriga of Puhi passed away at home on June 4, 2015, at the age of 85. He was born in Huleia, Kauai, Hawaii on May 1, 1930. A Veteran of the United States Army, he retired as a Journeyman Mechanic with Grove Farm and McBryde Sugar.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Joseph Nobriga Sr.; brother, Joseph Nobriga Jr.; sisters, Carrie Silva and Violet Fernandez.
Edward is survived by his wife, Josephine Nobriga of Puhi; five children, Cheryl (Ronald) Fujimoto of Lihue, Marian (Bill) Robinson of California, Kenneth (Verna) Nobriga of Puhi, Nathan G. Nobriga of Puhi, Josette Nobriga of California; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Carreira of Lihue; brother, David (Eleanor) Nobriga Sr. of Puhi; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Church with visitation from 8:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Kauai Veteran Cemetery in Hanapepe at 12 p.m.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Nobriga family with arrangements.
Kiyoko K. Arakaki
Kiyoko K. Arakaki passed away on June 1, 2015, at Wilcox, at the age of 97. Born in Koloa, Kauai, she was a retired housekeeper with Inter Island Resorts.
She is survived by her son, Dennis (Jean) Arakaki of Los Angeles, California; two daughters, Susan Arakaki of Lihue, Kauai, and Leona (Glenn) Urata of Waipahu, Oahu; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Yonetoshi Kamida of Waipahu, Oahu; and sister, Edythe Yoshihara of Kaneohe, Oahu.
Family suggests no monetary offerings. Services are pending. Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Leoncia Briones
Leoncia Durat Briones of Camp 6 in Makawele, Kauai, Passed away at her home on June 3, 2015, at the age of 79.
She was born on Nov. 7, 1936, in Santa Marie, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She retired from Novartis Seed Company.
Leoncia is preceded in death by her husband, Paulino Briones, her parents, Furtonato and Angela Durat, and her brothers, Romeo and Norberto Durat.
She is survived by her five sons, Mariano (Lolita) Briones, Alex (Lois) Briones, Joseph (Merle) Briones, George (Dale) Briones, Jerry (Leonida) Briones; daughter, Edwina (Scott) Cordero; brothers, Alfredo (Seferina) Durat and Demetrio Durat; sisters, Pacita Lazo, Gregorio Montero, Juanita Viloria; as well as 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo from 9 to 9:45 a.m., memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Inurnment will take place in the Philippines on a letter date.
The family is being assisted by Borthwick Mortuary/Kauai.
