Obituaries for Sunday, June 18, 2017
• Martha Sialana Kruse • Elsie Yoshiko Hiraoka • Virgil ‘Biyd’ Thompson • Pak Sheong Yong • Katsumi Ikeda • Douglas Kenji Keone Kawakami • Richard Lee Koops • Kawaiola Mawae Yasay • Thomas ‘Toki’ Tokio Koga
Martha Sialana Kruse
Martha Sialana Kruse, 97, of Kekaha, passed away on June 2, 2017, surrounded by her beloved ohana. She was born on Jan. 18, 1920, in San Fernando, Cebu PI. Martha immigrated to Hawaii in 1922, attended Kekaha Elementary and Waimea High School, where she met the love of her life, George Arthur Kruse. They were married in 1939 and were very active with St. Theresa parish activities as well as the Kekaha Community Association. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her services to the public.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Arthur Kruse, her parents Victoriano and Vicenta Sialana, brothers Jose Sialana and Patricio Sialana, daughter Rosemary Peters, son-in-law Stanley Leaf, grandchildren Brian Kruse, Marissa Dela Cruz, and Lokelani Kruse.
She is survived by George “Kalani” Kruse Jr. (Judy) of Arizona, son-in-law, Raymond Peters Jr of Kekaha, Bernadette Leaf of California, Theodora “Teddie” Dela Cruz (Clayton) of Waimea, Joseph “Jocko” Kruse of Makakilo, Anthony Kruse (Esme) of Texas, Peter Kruse (Wendy) of Eleele, Ann Duarte (Steven) of Waimea and Malia Fu (David) of Kekaha, hanai daughter Trudy Hegwood of Waimea, 23 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Kekaha. Viewing and visitation with the family will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with Mass to follow. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Aloha attire requested.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary.
Elsie Yoshiko Hiraoka
Elsie Yoshiko Hiraoka passed away at Hale Kapuna on April 20, 2017, at the age of 85. Born on Oct. 13, 1931, at Kapaa, she was a medical records supervisor for Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents Seichi and Kichiyo Hashimoto.
She is survived by her husband, Kazunori Hiraoka of Kalaheo; son Kevin Hiraoka of Nampa, Idaho; daughters Holly Hiraoka of Kalaheo and Karen Abbriano of San Diego, California; five granddaughters, two great-grandsons, sister Helen Wilbourn of Maui and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services will be held on Tuesday, June 20, at 11 a.m. at the Kapaa United Church of Christ.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary.
Virgil ‘Boyd’ Thompson
Virgil “Boyd” Thompson of Lawai, passed away on June 4, 2017, at the age of 88. Born on July 30, 1928, in Aurthur, Nebraska, he was the owner of Boyd’s Industrial Parts & Hydraulics.
He was preceded in death by son Timothy Thompson; sister Arlene Samuelson; and parents Charles H. and Emma Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Thompson of Lawai; son, Charles Thompson of Napa, California; daughters: Sara (Scott) Sloan of Lawai, Ellen (Vic Right) Thompson of Sebastopol, California; grandchildren: Emma Sloan and Eli Sloan, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at the Waimea United Christian Church Saturday July 1, 2017. Family visitation is at 9 a.m., with the service to follow. The family suggests aloha attire.
Arrangements are being held by Garden Island Mortuary.
Pak Sheong Yong
Pak Sheong Yong, 88, of Kekaha, passed away on April 19, 2017. He was born on Dec. 3, 1928, in Hanalei. He was a retired county supervisor and member of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosabelle Paalua Yong; father, Pon Lee Yong; mother, Bernice (Akui) Yong; and sisters Hazel Kawada and Levinia Kaauwai.
He is survived by sons Robert (Sharon) Yong of Kealakekua, Hawaii, Hiram (Ermine Akuna) Yong of Eleele; daughters Stephanie (Scott) Taylor of Waimea, Yosabel Yong of Kekaha, Kauai, Bernice (Joseph Sablan) Yong of Kekaha; sisters Glorianna Lane of Mililani, Oahu and Alice Pacheco of Kilauea, 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family may visit with the family on Saturday July 1, 2017, from noon to 12:45 p.m. Services will be at 1 p.m. at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
The family suggests aloha attire.
Arrangements are being held by Garden Island Mortuary.
Katsumi Ikeda
Katsumi Ikeda of Lawai, passed away at his home on June 5, 2017 at the age of 89. Born on May 17, 1928, in Hanapepe, he was a retired electronic technician with Verizon. He moved to the Mainland in 1960 and returned to Kauai following his retirement in 1988.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Takuichi and Kiyome Ikeda, and son Richard O’Brien.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Ikeda; son, Patrick Ikeda; daughter, Diane (Brian) Turnbull; grandchildren, Brandon Ikeda and Blake Ikeda; sisters, Kiyoko Ono, Fumie Saiki, Sachi Ikeda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be announced at a future date.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary.
Douglas Kenji Keone Kawakami
Douglas Kenji Keone Kawakami of Lihue, passed away on June 5, 2017, at the age of 47. He was born on Oct. 26, 1969.
He was preceded in death by parents Charles and Arlene Kawakami.
He is survived by his dogs, Zoey, Kira and Hana; brothers, Craig (Renee) Kawakami of Lihue, Derek (Monica) Kawakami of Lihue; and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at Lihue Christian Church. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m., with services to follow.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary, Koloa.
Richard Lee Kopps
It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Lee “Dick” Kopps announce his passing on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the age of 93. He was born in Griggsville, Illinois on June 29, 1923. He was a long-time resident of Kapaa, retiring to the island after he left the Navy in 1974 with the rank of captain. He then embarked on a second career as a surveyor and project manager on Kauai.
His distinguished naval career spanned WWII to Vietnam. Among his many awards were the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
He joined the military in 1942 and was trained as a naval aviator, flying B-24 “Liberator” bombers in the Pacific Theater in WWll and ending his naval flying career as squadron commander of carrier (ship) based A-3D heavy attack jet aircraft. He remained active in aviation, flying his personal plane into his 80s. He often told the story that he discovered a love of flight when he was 13 years old after being given a ride in a barnstormer’s plane.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Dixie Laurel Kopps. He is survived by his four children, Richard, Signe, Bradford, and Jason, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Kawaiola Mawae Yasay
Kawaiola Mawae Yasay passed away on June 8, 2017, at the age of 28. She was born in Waimea on Oct. 17, 1988.
She was preceded in death by her father Roy Yasay and brother Kapena Bridges.
She is survived by her sisters, Desiree Yasay of Waimea and Kelsey Bridges of Kalaheo; brothers, Joey Licayan of Kekaha and Travis Mawae of Wisconsin; mother, Lei Mawae-Schiller of Wisconsin; nephews, Kapena Perreira of Kalaheo and Kaikona Girod of Kekaha, nieces, Kale‘a Yasay of Waimea and Mahina Girod of Kekaha, numerous cousins, aunties, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Services in remembrance will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at West Side Enterprise Center (Kekaha Hawaiian Homes Center), 7694 Ulili Rd. Viewing is at 11 a.m. and the service will start promptly at noon. Flowers are welcomed by family. The family suggests aloha attire.
Thomas ‘Toki’ Tokio Koga
Thomas “Toki” Tokio Koga, 86, of Lawai, passed away on June 14, 2017, at his home. He was born on Jan. 27, 1931, in Kukuiula, and was a retired electrician with the County of Kauai.
He was preceded in death by his son Eric Koga, parents Komezo and Keyo Koga, brothers Kazuyoshi Kawahara, Masaru Koga and Tatsuo Koga, and sisters Kiyoko Shimokawa and Doris Uyeda.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Koga; sons, Warren (Lisa) Koga, Milton (Wendy) Koga, Craig (Lori) Koga; daughter, Doreen (Mervyn) Masumura; daughter-in-law, Alison Koga; brother, Henry (Ginger) Koga; sisters, Yoshiko Okiura, Helen Oyama, 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Garden Island Mortuary from 2:30 p.m. where services will be celebrated at 4 p.m.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary.
