Obituaries for Sunday, October 17, 2021

Roy K. ‘Rocky’ Sasaki

Pastor Roy K. “Rocky” Sasaki, 91, was born in Pahoa, Hawai‘i Island, in 1930, and died in Everett, Washington, on Oct. 3, 2021, after visiting friends and family.

Rocky attended Lahainaluna High School, where he accepted the Lord. And his life was profoundly changed. Next, Roy attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he studied at Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, where he graduated in 1960 with a master’s degree in divinity. Called to bring others to the hope he found in Jesus Christ, Roy was ordained in 1960 as a United Methodist pastor in San Jose, California. There, Roy began to fulfill his calling and purpose at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Roy met the love of his life, Dely Pascual, in Chicago. They got married in 1963 and quickly became a mighty ministry team. They served together at United Methodist churches in San Jose, Reedley and Visalia, California.

In 1972, they moved to O‘ahu and established and ministered at the Keolumana United Methodist Church in Enchanted Lakes, Kailua, and Waimanalo UMC in Waimanalo. In 1976, they transferred to Ka‘a‘awa HOPE United Methodist Church and the Kahuku United Methodist Church. While there, Roy had a daily radio ministry on KAIM for five years. When Roy retired in 1994, he and Dely moved to Kaua‘i.

In retirement, Pastor Roy made outreach trips to Tahiti, Japan, Guam, New Zealand and the Philippines. He worked with Youth With A Mission in Japan three times. In addition, he traveled to South Korea and Argentina to attend international Christian conferences. Pastor Roy also held weekly Bible studies at the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center for 20 years, ministering to inmates and law-enforcement officers.

In 1998, Pastor Roy and other Kaua‘i pastors founded Kaua‘i Island Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit 501-C-3 organization. KIM’s ministry focuses on bringing Kaua‘i pastors and congregations together as the body of Christ to equip the saints and spread the good news of Jesus Christ on Kaua‘i.

KIM sponsors numerous Christian events: January Prayer Watch, Kaua‘i Island Prayer Luncheon in March, community Good Friday services, National Day of Prayer and Kaua’i Island-wide Youth Rally. It works with many churches to encourage Christian believers by bringing renowned Christian speakers — Will Graham and Franklin Graham, Greg Laurie, Alex Kendrick and many others. In addition,

KIM sponsors outreaches and discipleship training in the Philippines, teaching over 500 pastors and leaders each year. Today, a fully-established teaching facility under the leadership of Pastor Charlie Ortal in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, continues to provide ministry support to newly established churches, maintain newly dug clean water wells in several barrios and provide quarterly community medical and dental clinics to outlying barrios.

KIM was involved with the initial founding of the Kaua‘i County Mayor’s Anti-Drug Task Force/Community Integration Committee that works to help ex-inmates transition back into the community. Through the Anti-Drug Task Force, churches and community leaders, two clean-and-sober houses were established separately for men and women with children.

“Hope, Help and Healing” was created at Aloha Church to help women transition from the correctional center into transitional housing. The organization became “Women In Need” (WIN). U-Turn for Christ, a drug-rehabilitation center for men, was birthed through the help of Calvary Chapel leaders and the headquarters in Perris, California. The ministry of KIM and partner churches continues to impact the lives of people on Kaua‘i for the kingdom of God.

Pastor Roy carried his harmonica everywhere, and he loved playing it for children, more so, to crying ones. He played his harmonica wherever he went — at weddings, in restaurants, at the beach, during Bible studies, in the grocery store —sometimes to meet people, but most times just to praise the Lord.

He loved to minister to the sick, and often visited those hospitalized. His hobby was gardening, as he appreciated the beautiful world God created. He raised fruits and vegetables to share with friends and family. Roy’s passion was to share the hope and saving power of Jesus Christ and encourage those in any ministry to continue doing excellent work for the Lord. His legacy lives on in the lives of those who remain.

Roy is survived by his beloved wife, Adeline “Dely” Pascual Sasaki, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage and ministry, sisters Helen (Fred) Okawa and Judy (Setsuo) Naito, brother Paul (Mildred) Sasaki, sisters-in-laws Irene (Takayuki) Sasaki and Amy (Junji) Sasaki, in-laws Sally (Manuel) Rasay (Manuel), Catherine (Karl) Lo, Merlyn (Phillip) Chan and Eleanor (Raymond) Ibia, many dearly loved nieces and nephews, children Lisa-Marie (Daniel) Cook and Peter Jon (Cynthia) Sasaki, and grandchildren Angela Faith (Alastair) McPherson, Karissa Joy (Derek) Branch and Cailey Raeann Sasaki. Weeks before Roy passed, he held and blessed his four great-grandchildren: Toby Benjamin and Cory James McPherson in Virginia and Lauren Marie and Mack William Branch in Georgia.

Celebration of life services are at Aloha Church, 4534 Uahi Rd., Lihu‘e, on Saturday, Oct. 23, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. In place of flowers, donations can be made to Kaua‘i Island Ministries, 3184 Unahe St., Lihue, HI 96766.

Marlene ‘Mieko’ Wailani Kaui (Alapa‘i)

Marlene “Mieko” Wailani Kaui (Alapa‘i) passed away in peace at age 55 at her home in Anahola, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 27, 1966, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, to Francis Masami Kuwamura and Lucille Leimomi Alapa‘i.

She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Ashlynn Lee and nephew Dylan Kuwamura.

She met her husband Randall Kaui in 1985 and had four beautiful daughters: Moani (Aaron) Lee of Kapahi, Keani (Ernest) Kaui of Moloa‘a, Brandi (Jake) Kaui of Princeville and Korie (Mana) Kaui of Moloka‘i. She adored her 13 grandchildren: Aaron-James (AJ) Lee, Austin Lee, Ashlynn Lee, Aamen Lee, Ishawra-Marie Kaui-Reconsal, Iden Kaui-Reconsal, Meli‘a Kaui-Reconsal, Irius Kaui-Reconsal, Iriana Kaui-Bautista, Ariani Kaui-Bautista, Elijah Langridge, Kia‘i He and La’iku He.

She was an amazing homemaker of many talents, always busy, making haku lei, crafting and gardening. She was especially known for her famous California rolls and maki sushi.

She will be fondly remembered for her infectious smile, heart of gold and loving soul. She had the gift of always making people laugh and spreading happiness to everyone around her. She was an angel who embraced God and had profound faith in the blessings she enjoyed daily. Not a day went by without her thanking and praising God.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Lorin Takao Yamane

Lorin Takao Yamane passed away on Oct. 5, 2021, in Kapa‘a, at the age of 69. He was born on Dec. 25, 1951, in Lihu‘e. He was a retired customer service agent with Hawaiian Airlines.

He was preceded in death by mother Betsy Fukuda Yamane and sister Amy Yamane.

He is survived by father Noboru Yamane, brother Michael (Valerie) Yamane of Kapa‘a, nephews Derek Yamane of O‘ahu and Shawn Yamane of California, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A private gathering was held. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts). However, in appreciation for the loving care and wonderful support received from Kaua‘i Hospice, donations in honor of Lorin’s memory would be very much appreciated: Kaua‘i Hospice, 4457 Pahe‘e St., Lihu‘e, HI 96766, or online at kauaihospice.org.

Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.

Willa M. Barber

Willa M. Barber of Kapa‘a passed away at home on Sept. 12, 2021, at the age of 89. She was born in Salem, Oregon, on June 5, 1932, and was an artist.

She was preceded in death by parents Leroy and Lois Hoagland, husband Joel Barber and son Gary Benson.

She is survived by son Randy Benson and grandchildren Tiffany Benson and Daniel (Berta) Benson.

Services will be held at a later date.

Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.