Bernard ‘Kanahele’ Makuaole Sr.
Bernard “Kanahele” Makuaole Sr. was born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Makaweli Valley to Katherine Kaluna Makuaola and Douglas Christian. He was raised by his hanai-grandparents Kekua Kuapahi Makuaole and Eva Adolpho Kanahele. He had five sisters: Katherine Kawelo (Dennis) Eastman of Oxnard, California, Annie (Julian) Lacro of Waimea, Delphin (James) Newman of Shelton, Washington, Daphne (Gordon) Tremaine of O‘ahu and Sandra (Henry) Silva of Hilo, and 11 brothers: Mitchell (Laverne) Apo of O‘ahu, Lani Ka‘eo (Debra) Apo of Waimea, David Koani of O‘ahu, Clifford Apo of Waimea, Roy (Petra) Apo of Arizona, and Hartwell (Judith) Apo of Kalaheo.
He was preceded in death by brothers Gilman (Diane) Apo of Kekaha, Darrel (Lori) Apo, Gary Apo, Samuel Apo and Alvin Apo.
He attended Waimea High and graduated from Heavy Equipment Operators School on O‘ahu. He loved the work and loved to learn. His Kaua‘i foreman taught him to operate each new piece of equipment they acquired. This year, he was honored with his 50-Year Service Award as a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Local 3.
He was married to Sandra Hart Makuaole for 56 years. They had sons Bernard “Hele-Boy” Makuaole Jr. and Victor Kalakaua Makuaole (deceased). When his son Hele Boy took a bride, Jill, on January 1, 2001, she brought two daughters: 10-year-old Kari and 7-year-old Hayley into the Kanahele’s family package. Kanahele loved these instant granddaughters. But then, on Nov. 20, 2002, Jill produced three more (not the instant kind) grandchildren, triplets Bernard III, Mason, and Mackenzie Makuaole. He promised the triplets he would be around for their high-school graduation, and kept his promise. They graduated this year. Great-grandchildren include Miles Kerr, Kinsley Kerr and Albert “A.C” Warren, whom he instantly loved and were more reasons to live. Makuaole always believed he would die by the time he was 50. We are certain those girls and those triplets and great-grandchildren are the only reasons he lived until now. Little papa, Hele Boy, taught his dad how to use Siri to play his music and Alexa to watch the little ones living in California grow. Visiting with grandkids and great-grandkids on Alexa was probably the biggest part of Makuaole’s staying alive.
Mid-June 2020, Makuaole was diagnosed with kidney failure. Sandra set one last milestone and asked Makuaole, “Can you live long enough to celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary on July 4th before you go?” With the additional help of his son Hele Boy and grandkids Bernard III, Mason and Mckenzie Makuaole flying in to his bedside, Makuaole did meet that milestone. Bernard Kanahele Makuaole Sr., who had grown up certain he would die at by the age of 50, made his final farewell to this earth on Monday, Sept, 14, 2020, at his residence in Kekaha, six days before he would have turned 80. After more than 30 years of fighting, Makuaole “The Bear” had lost his valiant battle again his inherited health problems. Due to coronavirus issues, no formal services will take place at this time. Bernard Makuaole opted for immediate cremation and inurnment in the Makuaole plot at the Hawaiian Cemetery in Kekaha. A one-year memorial service is likely to be planned. Family and close friends will be welcome at that time.
Ruth B. Harding Cassel
Ruth B. Harding Cassel, of Waimea, died on Oct. 3, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born in Altoona, Iowa, on May 28, 1932. She graduated from Altoona High School, Class of 1950, married her husband, James Cassel, and moved half way across the continent and the Pacific Ocean to Kaua‘i to teach music in 1951, and never left.
She had a number of interesting careers in her lifetime. She was the substitute at Waimea High School as the band and chorus instructor, worked at Guadalupe’s Original Creations in Waipouli, managed Richard Okada’s Music Shop in the ‘Ele‘ele Shopping Center, and was a dental assistant to Dr. Thomas Kagawa in Waimea. Throughout this time, she taught the joy of piano to young and old for over 30 years.
Anyone who has experienced a church service or program at the United Church of Christ Waimea Mission Church knows the beauty and passion of the organ music. She and her late husband, Jim, were the backbones of the choir at the church for decades — she as the organist and he as the choir director. She was the organist at the church for more than 68 years.
She was an original member of the Kaua‘i Chorale since the early 1960s, bringing beautiful Christmas music to the community over the years. She was also a member of the West Kaua‘i Rotary Club and had been a elections poll volunteer since the 1950s.
She has been recognized for her service to her community. In 1982, she received the Aloha Spirit Award from the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, she was recognized for 50 years of service to the Kaua‘i community by the state Senate, the state House of Representatives and County of Kaua‘i. In 2017 she received the Spirit Award from the Waimea Alumni & Friends Foundation.
She is survived by sons Tom and Dan of Kaua‘i, son and daughter-in-law Jim Jr. and Katie of Kaua‘i, daughters and son-in-law Connie and Steve Demarais of Michigan and Carol and Steve Alevizos of Honolulu, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A private service was held.
Stanley Santos Cadawas Sr.
Stanley Santos Cadawas Sr. passed away on Sept. 27, 2020, at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home at the age of 83. Born on July 20, 1937 on Kaua‘i, he was a retired crash fire fireman at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, and was in the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by parents Filimon and Matsuku Cadawas, brother Benjamin Cadauas and sister Aurellia “Nina” Perlas.
He is survived by sons Stanley Cadawas Jr. and Alan (Lori) Cadawas, daughters Joann Langtad, Jeanne (Robert) Raposas and Kimberly (Rodney) Cheeseman, brother Phillip (Marian) Cadawas, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is Friday, Oct. 23, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
There will be limited seating for social distancing, and face coverings are required.
Borthwick Kaua’i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rosamilia ‘Rose’ Dichoso Melchor
Rosamilia “Rose” Dichoso Melchor, of Koloa, peacefully passed away at home on Oct. 3, 2020. She was 89.
She was preceded in death by husband Artemio and daughter Gayle.
She is survived by children Merlyn (Jeffrey) Craddock, Lillian (Robert) Davies, Artemio Jr. (Audrey) Melchor, Diane (Mark) Beeksma, Suzie (Michael) Schad, grandchildren Nathan (Kelly) Rasco, Kellan (Jessica) Craddock, David (Rebecca) Schad, Samuel (Robyn) Schad, Michaela Schad, Joshua, Bradley, Stuart, Andrew, Alyssa Beeksma and great-granddaughters Sophia and Aurora Schad.
She was born on March 25, 1931 in Solsona, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
In 1952 she journeyed from the Philippines to Kaua‘i along with her mother and sister where their father worked for Koloa Sugar Plantation. There she met her husband Artemio, ‘it was love at first sight’. Besides being the most remarkable mom, she had many occupations including being a waitress, hotel receptionist, tour guide, building homes and farming with her husband. All who knew her were struck by her beauty, grace, kindness and hospitality. Above all she instilled within the family a love for Jesus Christ who was her Savior and Lord.
There will be a private family celebration to honor her life.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
