Obituaries for Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Irwette Kalua Santiago
Irwette Kalua Santiago
Irwette Kalua Santiago passed away on Sept. 1, 2022, at home at the age of 68. She was born on March 14, 1954, in Lihu‘e. She was employed by Grayline and Freeman Guard.
She was preceded in death by legal parents Irwin and Elizabeth Cockett, parents Philip and La-Plane Kekahu and son Ronald Kimo O’Kalani Santiago.
She is survived by husband Ronald James Santiago of Hanapepe, son Irwin (Elise) Santiago of Lawa‘i, daughter Ronette Santiago of Hanapepe, brothers Ira (Lori) Cockett of Lihu‘e and Philip (Alina) Kekahu of Romania, sisters La-Plane (Pauly) Valmoja of Hanama‘ulu, Karen Philbrook of Sacramento, California, Sharon Kekahu of O‘ahu and Bobbie Peahu of Arizona, grandchildren Brayden Santiago, Brayanna (Parnell) Legaspi, Tori (Tania) Santiago and Kampala Santiago, great-grandchildren Neveah Santiago, Karen Legaspi and Aleina Legaspi, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, Oct. 22, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by service. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Esther Kaleialoha Medeiros
Esther Kaleialoha Medeiros, 73, of Anahola, passed away at her daughter’s home on Oct. 1, 2022. She was born on Jan. 16, 1949, in Anahola. She was a dedicated homemaker.
She was preceded in death by parents Theodore and Rebecca Williams Sr.
She is survived by children Kaleialoha Rena (Christopher Serve) Medeiros, Kala Teddy (Amy Melcher) Medeiros and Dr. Kapua (Joshua Martin) Medeiros, father of her children Frank Albert Medeiros Jr., 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother Theodore (Patricia Hunter-Williams) Williams Jr., sister Deborah (Leonard) Asano, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Nov. 12, at Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Protestant Church in Anahola. Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and services to follow.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home 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 and Joe Bal Pablo (Maricel) 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.
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 (Marcia Hoffman) Acain of Kekaha and 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 and 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.
Alfred W. Reis
Alfred W. Reis passed away on Sept. 29, 2022, at home at the age of 98.
He was born on June 26, 1924.
He was preceded in death by wife Margaret Reis, son Alvin Reis, parents William and Mary Reis, sister Mabel Reis and brothers Adam Reis and Harry Reis.
He is survived by sons Allen (Pat) Reis and Tony Reis, daughters Jessie (Herbert) Miyazaki, Margie (Tony Sandobal) Bautista, Angie (Bob) Vegas and Donette (Virgilio) Reis, grandchildren Christine Reis, Kevin Reis, Susan Reis, Shelly (Daryl) Gerardo, Tammy (Adrian) Pu‘u, Ryan Miyazaki, Jason (Tori) Miyazaki, Denise Bautista, Sharma Bautista, Bronson Bautista, Bob (Britnie) Vegas Jr., Jessica (David) Gusman, Douglas (Pam ) Dureg, Kalani (Rozlind) Colobong, Daphne (Ricky) Colobong, Alvin Colobong, Aaron Colobong, Tiffany Reis, Angela (Byron) Ono, Alvin Reis Jr. and Anuhea, 36 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, sister Violet Reis Moura, brother Thomas Reis, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 29, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation with family will be from 9 to 10 a.m. and service to follow at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary 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.
Leimomi is survived by her children Mark Kimo KC 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.
Eleanor Kailianu Akita Mihal
Eleanor Kailianu Akita Mihal passed away on Oct. 6, 2022, at home. She was born on Nov. 3, 1924, in Waimea. She was the fifth child and the second daughter of her family of eight children.
She was preceded in death by husband Joseph Michael Mihal, parents Joseph Junkichi Akita and Alice Moha Maka‘awa‘awa, siblings Edith Akita, Joseph Akita Jr., Solomon Akita Ono and Linberg (Lindy) Akita and brother-in-law Ted Zenger.
She is survived by sister Alice Akita Zenger, brother Norman (Shirley) Akita, daughters Mary Lockcey Tirado-Goravica of Kekaha, Christine Theresa Kealaonaona (Brad) Wardle of Fruitland, Utah and Alna Linda Opu‘ulani (David) Mecham of Kekaha. Her posterity includes grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
Private services will be held at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sione Kami Taufatofua
Sione Kami Taufatofua passed away on Sept. 9, 2022, in San Diego, at the age of 52. He was born on June 30, 1970, in Hihifo, Ha’apai Tonga. He was a mason and owner of Taufatofua Construction.
He was preceded in death by father Uili Teili Taufatofua and grandson Kainoa Taufatofua.
He is survived by wife Celena Taufatofua, sons Ueili (Erika) Taufatofua and Sione (Kiley) Taufatofua, daughters Melaea Taufatofua and Celena “Lena-Mae” Taufatofua, brothers-in-law/hanai sons Soane Latuniupulu and Paul Latuniupulu, mother Kesaia Feifai Taufatofua, brothers Ha’unga (Denise) Taufatofua and Uili Vea (Chantelle) Taufatofua, sisters Siuki Haileni (Siuela) Peleketi, Melaea (Etuini) Pongi Vaka and Langi Tu’ulilo (Tevita) Tuamoheloa and grandchildren Sione Teili Taufatofua, Isaleilia Taufatofua and Selalea’aelopa Taufatofua.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 29, at Princeville Makai Golf Course, Ka Haku Lawn, 4080 Lei O Papa Road in Princeville, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
John Palanca Cruzada
John Palanca Cruzada, of Kekaha, passed away on Sept. 28, 2022, in Honolulu.
He was born on Oct. 20, 1953, in Sap-ang, Silago, Southern Leyte, Philippines.
He was preceded in death by parents Frankie and Lalia Cruzada and sisters Adela Cruzada Flores and Ness Cruzada.
He is survived by children Jhenny Cruzada Mendoza, Aquilino Cruzada, Dale (Joseph) Kaneakua, John (Carmina) Cruzada and Francis Uy Cruzada, grandchildren Joshua Cruzada, Nathaniell Cruzada Mendoza and Joseph and Jaxon Kaneakua, siblings Bobby (Virgie) Cruzada and Donny (Sheri) Cruzada, nieces and nephews Donny Cruzada, James Flores, Neil (D’Lissa) Baris, Nathan (Mharnelle) Baris, Don Karl Cruzada, Mary Cruzada and Lennie (Harold) Tallano, and numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.
A service is Friday, Oct. 21, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hanama‘ulu. Viewing is from 9 a.m. and services beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kalapaki Bay Memorial Park.
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 grandfathers Genaro Lagazo Sr. and Ramon Arizo.
He is survived by fiancée Kahea Pahia, sons William Lagazo of O‘ahu and Delcynn (Lowen) Lagazo of Kaua‘i, grandchild Kysen Lagazo, father Jerry Lagazo Sr., grandmother Solidad Lagazo, sister Liza Emproso (Jacob), niece Harmony Woodman, and numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 29, at MacArthur Park (Kekaha Beach Park), starting at noon. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family arrangements.
