Obituaries for Sunday, October 16, 2022
Jerry Eric Lagazo Jr.
Jerry Eric Lagazo Jr.
Jerry Eric Lagazo Jr. passed away on Sept. 13, 2022, at Pakala Beach. He was born on April 1, 1978, in Waimea.
He was preceded in death by mother Faith Arizo, grandmother Margaret Kaleo and grandfather Genaro Lagazo Sr.
He is survived by fiancée Kahea Pahia, sons William Lagazo of O‘ahu, Delcynn (Lowen) Lagazo f Kaua‘i, grandchild Kysen Lagazo, father Jerry Lagazo Sr., grandmother Solidad Lagazo, sister Liza (Jacob) Emproso, niece Harmony Woodman, and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 29, at MacArthur Park (Kekaha Beach Park). The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family arrangements.
Marlene Claudette Blair
Nov. 1932 – Oct. 2022
Marlene Claudette Blair was born on Nov. 29, 1932, to Harold and Betty (Zamarano de Sanchez) Bowen. She grew up on a ranch in the Santa Clara Valley with her sister Elizabeth and brother Eugene. She often told stories about her childhood on the ranch with her grandfather, Luthio, who came to the United States, with her mom, via Hawai‘i in 1911. Her memories of that time were many and happy. When together you could hear mom and aunt Betty laughing together well into the early morning hours as they reminisced about their childhood antics. She always said life was much simpler then. Marlene graduated from Lincoln High School in San Jose and went on to earn her nursing degree from the University of California at Berkley.
As a young adult, she spent summers with friends in Cloverdale, where she just happened to go on a double date and met William A. Blair, who was not her date but whom she would go on to marry in May of 1955. She eventually put nursing aside to join Bill’s family in the movie theater business. Together they raised five children: William (Colleen) E. Blair (1955-2012), Matthew D. Blair, Stacey (Rusty) L. Willis, Nicole M. Blair and Chad (Theresa) W. Blair. Along with her own children, Marlene was a strong influence in the lives of her four grandsons, three granddaughters, two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
In true Marlene fashion, as if raising her kids and grandkids was not already a full-time job, she was actively involved in the running of the movie theaters in Cloverdale, Santa Rosa, Napa, Fairfield, Pleasanton and Pleasanton Hill, California and Kaua‘i. After her husband passed away in 2000 she made the decision to live full time in Hawai‘i, where she ran the family’s remaining theater of 35 years, Kukui Grove Cinemas. Due to COVID, the theater was closed in March of 2020 and Marlene then decided it was time to move back to her home in Santa Rosa.
In addition to being a member of the local chapter of Berta Sigma Phi, Marlene organized the first and still-ongoing Silent Auction at Cardinal Newman High School. But the greatest gift she leaves behind is the example she has set in helping those truly in need. Throughout her life, her kind and generous spirit led her to do what she could for those who had nothing, never for personal recognition or the expectation of anything in return. She freely provided help with the hope that if a child of her own was ever in need of help, there would be someone willing and able to lend a helping hand.
It is with great sorrow and profound love that we say goodbye to our wonderfully loving mother and grandmother. May she rest in peace knowing that hers was a life well lived.
Services will be held in the Chapel at Santa Rosa Memorial Park on Friday, Oct. 21, at 1:30 p.m. for friends and family. A private entombment at 2:30 p.m. will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Anchor Hospice or the Tourette Association of America. Cards for the family can be mailed to 1335 Wikiup Dr., Santa Rosa CA 95403.
Kiyoko Tsubota
Kiyoko Tsubota passed peacefully in Honolulu on Aug. 7, 2022, with her loved ones by her side. She spent the past year in the devoted care of the amazing staff at Manoa Senior Care. She was a gentle, gracious and creative soul who loved to travel with family to Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand, Canada, Korea and Japan. Her creativity showed in her passion for sewing and designing clothes, and continued later in life with handicrafts and painting. Kiyoko also loved sports, especially baseball and football. Family and friends remember her as always smiling.
Kiyoko was preceded in death by husband Teruto, after 67 years of marriage.
She left behind her children daughter Renee (Wil) Horie of Kane‘ohe, sons Guy (Diane) Tsubota of Kaua‘i, Sid (Karen) Tsubota of Alamo, California, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Okinawa on Dec. 20, 1925, she married U.S. Military Intelligence Service Interpreter Teruto Tsubota in 1947, whom she met while in the POW camp during the Okinawa campaign, WW2. They moved to Pahoa, Hawai‘i Island, to start a family, and later returned to Okinawa in 1953, where Terry worked on the island’s reconstruction and later for the Defense Department. She and her husband moved back to Hawai‘i in 2012, spending time with their children on Kaua‘i, Kane‘ohe and California.
Her ashes will be interred next to her husband in the East Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hilo. A private service with close family will be held on Feb. 3, 2023.
Gloria Bunao Gacusan
Gloria Bunao Gacusan, 76, of Puhi, passed away at home on Sept. 8, 2022. She was born on Nov. 16, 1945, in Santa Ignacia, Tarlac, Philippines. She retired as a pantry chef with the Grand Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa.
She was preceded in death by husband Teodorico Gacusan, parents Tiburcio and Marcelina Bunao, and brothers Domingo Bunao, Sergio Bunao and Rudolfo Bunao.
She is survived by children Anna Lisa Gacusan, Corelie (Jonathan Carvalho) Gacusan, Carlos (Joy) Gacusan, Noli (Andy McNicholas) Gacusan, grandchildren Xavier Idica, Cameron Gacusan, Rihnna DeMateo, Logan Carvalho and Makayla Gacusan, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Friday, Oct. 28, at Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e. Viewing is from 9 a.m. and services beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Florence ‘Babe’ Acain
Florence “Babe” Acain passed away on Sept. 19, 2022, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, at the age of 88. She was a retired produce manager at Waimea Big Save.
She was preceded in death by husband Patricio Acain, parents Mariano Kuaron and Primitiva Amandurum Kuaron, sisters Rosella Alao and Consolacion Lowe and brother Clarito Kuaron.
She is survived by sons Patrick (Janet) Acain of Nevada, Aaron Acain (Marcia Hoffman) of Kekaha, Anthony (Gloria) Acain of Kekaha, daughter Alison (Dave) Gaertner of Texas, grandchildren Leanne (Jeff) Jarvis of California, Gage (Nicole) Acain of California, Shannon (Eric) Redmond of Pennsylvania, Kristen (Kevin) Resinto of Washington, Bruce (Rhonda) Gaertner of Utah, Kyle (Shannon) Gaertner of Texas, Kurt Gaertner of Texas, Anthony Acain, Jr. (AJ) of Texas, Anson (Sarah) Acain of Kapa‘a and Adam Acain of Kekaha, great-grandchildren Kayli, Lexi, Riley, Talan, Lucianna, Eloisa, Zion, Hope (Jax) Anderson, Mariah (Justin) Daniels, Cameron (Maddie) Stanger, Keoni Gaertner, Alikai Gaertner, Lenore, Ramsey and Aniaiah Acain, great-great-grandchildren Aeris and Iyla, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Catholic Church in Waimea. Visitation is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. The family requests aloha attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Edward Robert Kauhi-a-hiwa Ka‘iwi
We are sad to announce the death of Edward Robert Kauhi-a-hiwa Ka‘iwi, who passed away peacefully at his home in Anahola He‘iau, on Sept. 7, 2022.
Ed was a federally designated Traditional Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner, and taught his knowledge to all who came with honor and respect.
He was a proud U.S. Marine Corp veteran of the Vietnam War and was decorated with the Purple Heart and National Defense Service Medals.
He was also a genealogist and reconnected Hawaiians with their family land in his life long practice of Hawaiian Sovereignty.
Ed is survived by his children Tahamaruihi (Evan), Teatatanaroa (Carly), Wahine O Te Tai (Brendan), Taihonu, the mother of his children Leslie O’Brien, his grandchildren Lokelani and Kekoa, brother Hank (Mona), and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother Naomi Ka‘iwi, his father Henry Ka‘iwi, brothers Paul and Henry, and sister Stephanie.
A hui hou.
Thanks to Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Norma Costales Bautista
Norma Costales Bautista passed away on Sept. 13, 2022, at home at the age of 81. She was born on Nov. 3, 1940, in the Philippines. She was a housewife.
She was preceded in death by father Adriano Costales, mother Juana Costales, sisters Teodora Matabia, Caridad Sarmiento and brother Virgilio Costales Sr.
She is survived by husband Virgilio V. Bautista Sr., son Virgilio C. Bautista Jr. (Clarissa Reyes) of Kapa‘a, daughters Purita B. Norial (Domingo Norial Sr.) of Kapa‘a, Virginia B. Batulayan (William Batulayan Jr.) of Kapa‘a and Marita C. Bautista of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Domingo Norial Jr. (Francine Norial), Norma Norial (Chason Belmonte), Robert Batulayan (Kristy Mollena-Batulayan), Donnamay Norial (James Padre), Vanessa Batulayan (Austin Perez-Jacinto), Vincent Cervantes-Bautista and Mailee Cervantes-Bautista, great-grandchildren Starlee Belmonte, Nikson Belmonte, Jaxson Belmonte and Jolie Norial, sisters Erlinda Valeriano and Rose Balmes, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 22, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation with family is from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by Mass. Burial will follow at the Lihu‘e Cemetery. The family request casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Florendo Balais Lacerona
Florendo Balais Lacerona passed away on Sept. 27, 2022, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 83. He was born on July 1, 1939, in the Philippines. He was a retired irrigation worker.
He was preceded in death by parents Pablo and Faustina Balais Lacerona, brother Oerlino Lacerona of the Philippines and sister Visitacion Lacerona Cacpal of the Philippines.
He is survived by wife Carmelita Lacerona, sons Arnel (Deana) Lacerona of Kekaha, Reynaldo (Josephine) Lacerona of ‘Ele‘ele, Joe Bal (Maricel) Pablo Lacerona of ‘Ele‘ele, daughters Sherlita (Garnell) Boyd of California and Maricel (Rolly) Tungpalan of ‘Ele‘ele, sister Leandra Lacerona Bacud of the Philippines, grandchildren Chelsty Shem Lacerona, Haena Kyla Lacerona, Tyrelle Angelo Lacerona, Jonald Lacerona, Gerlie Ann Lacerona, Grace Ann Lacerona, Kenrick Lacerona, John Franzen Lacerona, Jazmeen Lacerona, Haimalie Joy Lacerona, Neil Anthony Boyd, Angela Lycel Tungpalan and Adrel Liam Tungpalan, great-grandchildren Denzell Lacerona and Keziah Sofie Lacerona, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation with family is Thursday, Oct. 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Celebration of life services will follow at 4 p.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.
Bessie Duran Garbo
Bessie Duran Garbo, 77, of Honolulu, passed away on Sept. 16, 2022. She was born on Feb. 12, 1945, in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She retired as a cashier with Whalers General Store.
She was preceded in death by parents Francisco and Mercedes Duran, brother Romulo Duran and brother-in-law Abelardo Iloreta.
She is survived by brothers Artemio (Shanna) Duran and Isabelo (Elisa) Duran, sisters Amelia Iloreta and Avelina (Herbert) Semana, sister-in-law Cora Duran, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 29, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leimomi Bal Crowell
Leimomi Bal Crowell, 83, of Kekaha, passed away on Oct. 8, 2022. She was born on July 31, 1939, in Honolulu.
She was preceded in death by her husband William O. Crowell, granddaughter Breanna Wilson-Crowell and parents James and Mary Lung Bal.
She is survived by children Mark Kimo K.C. Crowell, Drew Kaleianaole Crowell and Michelle Kanoelani (Darren) Curammeng, sister Janet Kahaunani Landfried, brother Edward F. (Sue) Bal, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, Oct. 23, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kekaha at 1 p.m. Services begin at 1:30 p.m. Private interment will occur at a later date.
The family requests casual attire. Face masks are required, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
