Obituaries for Sunday, January 15, 2023
Shantel Lee Amulacion
Shantel Lee Amulacion
Shantel Lee Amulacion left us to join the Lord at the age of 40, on Dec. 13, 2022. Born on Aug. 7, 1982, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, she will always be remembered as loving, caring and free-spirited. She always enjoyed her life to the fullest.
She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Im Song Bong, Yi Jon Yong, and paternal grandparents Cosme Amulacion Sr. and Fortunata “Titang” Amulacion.
She is survived by parents Cedric (Smack) and Ok Son Amulacion, her lifelong partner and best friend Ahren Kaneshiro, son Kanaloa Amulacion, sisters Cheryl (Johnny) and Selena, niece Hokulani, nephews Jonas and Kapili, along with numerous uncles, aunties and cousins.
Please join our ‘ohana in a celebration of life on Jan. 29, at Kekaha Neighborhood Center, starting at noon.
Let us remember Shantel “Shan” and her loving, caring and free-spirited ways.
Stanley ‘Sugi’ Mitsuyoshi Suenaga
Stanley “Sugi” Mitsuyoshi Suenaga, 84, passed away in Lihu‘e on Dec. 12, 2022. He was born in Lihu‘e on Oct. 18, 1938. He graduated from Kaua‘i High School, furthered his education as an electrician at Kaua‘i Technical School, and worked as an electrician supervisor for R. Electric.
He served in the U.S. Army for three years as part of Company B, 9th Battle Group, 3rd Brigade, at Fort Ord, California. When he returned home to his beloved island of Kaua‘i, he was able to indulge in two of his favorite pass times, cars and fishing.
He had a fascination and talent for rebuilding and racing cars. Fishing, however, was his true enjoyment. He was a fisherman at heart, enjoying early morning adventures on his first boat, a 24-foot beauty, the Ho‘oikaika. He later purchased a banana patch boat he rebuilt and customized, naming it the “Stacie-lyn” after his two daughters. The Stacie-lyn provided many years of enjoyment and memories for him who now is fishing on heaven’s seas.
He was preceded in passing by parents Yutaka and Yoshino Suenaga and sister Ellen (Noburo) Kiyan.
He is survived by his wonderful wife of 51 years, Leilani (Kanoho) Suenaga, children Stacie Mosley and Stacelyn (Norman Jr.) Bukoski, grandchildren Shaden and Noah Mosley, Alysia and Siana Suenaga, Matthew, Hi‘ilani and Kahanu Bukoski, brother Donald Suenaga, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Friday, Jan. 20, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, 3215 Kapule Hwy., Lihu‘e, 96766. Visitation for the family will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Visitation with the family will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with the service at 10:30 to 11 a.m. The family is requesting no flowers.
Christobel ‘Kaliko’ Kauahi Kealoha
Christobel “Kaliko” Kauahi Kealoha, 81, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Jan. 3, 2023. She was born in Waimea on May 27, 1941, and worked as a state of Hawai‘i deputy attorney general.
She was preceded in passing by parents Herbert and Christobel Kauahi, siblings Owen (Shirley) Kauahi, Herberta (John) Montgomery and Kabule Kauahi.
She is survived by children Stevie Kealoha, Michael Kealoha and Pulama (Chris Lacambra) Kealoha, grandchildren Jamen, Ayzlin, Seidree, Darien, Ciari Kealoha-Albarado, and Isaiah and Elliana Lacambra, great-grandchildren Tehya and Tahj Kealoha-Albarado, siblings Sandra (Jack) Kinsey, Melvin (Ethel) Kauahi and Dennis (Diane) Kauahi, her loving friend in life Steven Kealoha, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life will be announced in the future, with services expected to take place in January 2024.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sarah Joanne Pumphrey Nakashima
Sarah Joanne Pumphrey Nakashima, 85, of Kalaheo, passed away on Dec. 16, 2022. She was the first child born to Ola and Walter Pumphrey in Broseley, Missouri.
In the early 1970s, she moved to Kaua‘i from Columbus, Ohio, and began her Hawai‘i teaching career at ‘Ele‘ele School. She held several different positions at various schools and the state Department of Education Kaua‘i District Office, focusing on student support.
Her career culminated in the development and implementation of the Mokihana Project that brought attention to the needs of children coping with traumatic events like natural disasters. Following her retirement, she melded her educational expertise with her avid love of politics by joining state Sen. Gary Hooser’s staff, providing counsel on education topics.
Regardless of her professional role, she was a steadfast steward of the Hanapepe United Church of Christ as well as other Kaua‘i and state church organizations.
She expressed her love of music through leading the church choir, playing the organ and piano, and lending her voice to the Kaua‘i Chorale. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and attended regional, national, and international gatherings. She loved traveling, and explored many countries and cities to broaden her knowledge and experience new cultures.
She was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her sister, stepdaughters, a foster son, a brother and sisters-in-law, and several foster grandchildren.
A small service will be held Feb. 3, 2023, at 10 a.m. for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Delta Kappa Gamma, Eta Chapter, c/o Dr. Rebecca Fries, Chapter President, 5003 Pu‘uwai Road, Kalaheo, HI 96741.
Richard Hiroji Nagoshi
Richard Hiroji Nagoshi passed away on Nov. 7, 2022 in Lihu‘e at the age of 84. He was born on Oct. 22, 1938, in Kalaheo. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and an electronic technician.
He was preceded in death by father Tetsuro Nagoshi, mother Shizue Nagoshi, sisters Yuriko Tasaka and Evelyn Matsumoto, and brothers Kunio Nagoshi and Douglas Nagoshi.
He is survived by sisters Aster Tateishi of Kalaheo, Charlotte Nagoshi of Honolulu and Vivian (Michael) Morimoto of California, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery, starting at 11 a.m.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Eleanor Hada
Eleanor Hada, 92, of Wailua, passed away on Jan. 6, 2023.
She was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. She became a nurse and traveled to Kaua‘i, where she met the love of her life, Juneji Hada, and raised her family. She retired from Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, where she was a union representative and worked in the pharmacy department. She loved reading, cooking, church, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Juneji Hada and son Shawn Hada.
She is survived by daughter Zibeth Hada, son Jay (Jacqueline) Hada, grandchildren Muriah Moises, Morgan Moises-Lopez, Sydney Nunes, Jay J. Jada, Chelsea Hada, Madison Hada, Kai Hada, Keanu Hadam and Chastity Hada, and numerous great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in private by the family.
The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Dr. Yee and the staff and Garden Isle Healthcare, and Father Nick of St. Catherine Church.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Julia ‘J’ Kapahu Nakaya
Julia “J” Kapahu Nakaya, of Waimea, peacefully passed Jan. 1, 2022 at the age of 81. She was the owner/operator of J’s Dining and Catering in Waimea.
She was preceded in death by husband Kiyoshi Nakaya, parents Kim and Keahi Kapahu, brothers Ashford Kapahu, Tim Kim, Masa Kapahu, Albert Kapahu, Shima Kapahu and Edward Kapahu, and sisters Rebecca Niheu, Anna Keamoai and Mary Aviguetero.
She is survived by companion Wayne Odo of Waimea, children Nelson Nakaya of Poulsbo, Washington, Phyllis “Deko” (Mark Edgar) Okada of Kekaha, Kurt Nakaya and Sheldon (Kira Seabury) Nakaya of Waimea, grandchildren Shelby (Ryan) Omalza of Reno, Nevada, Ashlie (DJ) Moriguchi of Waimea, Jordan(Chrystal) Nakaya of Dupont, Washington, Shannon (Mich) Nakaya of Tri-Cities, Washington, Jamie Kurt Vidinha of Lawa‘i, Kalei (Ayla) Nakaya of Las Vegas, Kayla (Kalani) Nakaya of Kapa‘a, Ku‘ualoha Kaleleiki, Shelee “Lei” Nakaya, Shelcee “Pili” Nakaya and Shelvee “Kaohu” Nakaya of Waimea, great-grandchildren Kealoha Omalza, Emelia Nakaya, Kezlynn Scanlan, Kiyoshi Omalza, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. with services to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
John Ventura Medeiros Jr.
John Ventura Medeiros Jr., 85, passed away at Wilcox Medical Center in Lihu‘e on Jan. 7, 2023. He was born in Waimea, on July 2, 1937. He retired as a carpenter from Fletcher Pacific and Kenneth Shioi Construction, and spent his later years as a woodworker supporting the Kaua‘i community, and taught night classes and basic carpentry at Kaua‘i Community College.
He was preceded in passing by wife Shirley “Loling” Fuertes Medeiros, parents John Sr. and Mary Medeiros, and siblings Leonard Wayne Medeiros and Gwendolyn Carveiro.
He is survived by children John A. (Kimberley) Medeiros, Mark A. (Cheryl Polikapu-Medeiros) Medeiros, Paul A. Medeiros, Jeannine Medeiros and Joannell (Wayne) Lemi, grandchildren John M.T. Medeiros, Jason A.Y. Medeiros, Chyler P. Medeiros, Marxon Medeiros, Brian K.K. Medeiros, Rachel K.K. Medeiros, Natasha Lemi, Rosie (Kaven) Walag and Lorie Lemi, great-grandchildren Sofina Medeiros, Sampson K. Emayo, Zaven Walag, Kaiven Walag, Sarah Singh and Juanito Singh, and sisters Carol Deponte and Kathleen (George) Langtad.
Services will be decided at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
