Nelson Patrick Rita
Nelson Patrick Rita, of ‘Ele‘ele, passed away on June 8, 2023, at his home under hospice care. He was born on July 22, 1940, in Waimea. He was a wharf clerk with McCabe, Hamilton and Renny at Nawiliwili Pier and a proud veteran of the Army.
He is survived by his loving Wife of 61 years Carlina “Carol” Rita, Sons Nelson (Duelane) Rita, Jeffrey (Stacie) Rita and David “Paday” (Wendy) Rita, Grandchildren Kaylene (Bryn) Rita, Kahi (Robin) Rita, Clinton (Shalea) Rita, Ashley (Ryan) DeWitt, Brandie (Daniel) Larkin, Shantel Rita, Ashford (Ling) Rita, Kelsey (Michael) Ropati, Tyler (Taron Napoleon) Fessenden-Batis, Tatiana (Christopher) Rita-Orr and Landon Rita, Great-Grandchildren Kiana, Ky, Kayn, Kyri, Deegan, Nui, Kawena, Dreyson, Ares, Astraea and Achilles Rita, Devin, Aaron, Kayla and Kelly DeWitt, Sheldon-James Ropati, Kahoku, Titus and Jaxen Fessenden-Napoleon and Zaiden Christopher Rita-Orr, Sisters Priscilla (Guy) Ruiz and Isabell Arakaki, Brothers-in-law James “Kimo” Burgess, James Silva, Domingo “Sunday” Aguinaldo and Ernesto “Jackie” Aguinaldo, Sisters-in-law Mariana (Benjamin) Villatora and Julia (Ferdinand) Tambua, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by Parents John and Stella Rita Jr., Brother Edward Rita Sr., Sisters Bernice Silva, Patsy Silva and Stella Burgess, Mother and Father-in-law Generosa and Juan Aguinaldo, Brothers-in-law Gabriel Silva, Fausto Aguinaldo and Amado Aguinaldo and Sister-in-law Barbara Rita.
Family and friends are invited to join us on Saturday, July 1, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m., with celebration of life to follow. Urn burial will be at Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Epifanio ‘Panio’ Oroc
Epifanio “Panio” Oroc, of Kekaha, passed away on May 26, 2023, at the age of 94. Born in Makaweli Camp 8 on May 31, 1928, he retired as a cultivation supervisor at Olokele Sugar Company.
He was predeceased by parents Gregorio and Mary Candida Oroc, sister Sr. M. Candida Oroc, OSF, and son Robert Peter Oroc.
He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years Gregoria “Jeannie” of Kekaha, children Eric (Melia) Oroc of Honolulu, Elizabeth (John) Perea of Kailua-Kona, Gregory (Rita) Oroc of Wisconsin and Stephanie (JJ) Bostick of Kekaha, grandchildren Christine Oroc, Chandra Oroc, Robert Brad Oroc, Michelle Mackler, Erin Oroc, Eric Oroc, Marc Oroc, Ruben Andrian, Chelsea Oroc, Danielle Patterson, Adam Oroc and Samantha Bostick, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, June 24, at Waimea Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. by Father Edwin, and burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
The family requests aloha attire and welcomes flowers.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John Parongao
John Parongao left our world on May 16, 2023, at home in Kalaheo, and reunited with his beloved wife Tina, father Vicente Parungao, mother Romana Navarro, brothers Al (Florence), Paul Parongao and Tom Parungao, sisters Helen (William) Neves and Josephine (Theodore) Perez, stepmother Gloria Parungao, brother-in-law Henry Peralta, son-in-law Leonard Bagano and the many extended family members who preceded him.
He grew up in Numila/New Mill, graduated from Waimea High School, served in the U.S. Army, was a mechanic for C. Brewer Co. with second jobs in maintenance at Kaua‘i Surf and later at Walmart.
Hunting, skeet shooting and bowling were some of his interests. He loved deep-sea fishing and making lures, and was an avid reader, but in his heart he was a jitterbug dancer and a passionate cook.
Mostly he was a loving and proud family man, who will be missed by his five children: John (Cindy) Parongao Jr., Joan (Bobby) Bareng, Deborah Bagano, Reuben Parongao and Anthony Parongao, sisters Trini Peralta and Amy Parungao, sister-in-law Juanita Parongao, 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Rest in love and peace, until we meet again.
We will be celebrating his life at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kirk Tony Smith
Kirk Tony Smith, 58, of Kapa‘a, passed away on June 2, 2023, in ‘Ele‘ele. He was born on June 20, 1964, in Fresno, California. He was an entrepreneur and served in the Navy.
He was preceded in death by father Robert Eugene Smith.
He is survived by mother Betty Davis, wife Donnalee Smith, sons Kameron Smith and Sean (Tara), daughters Janah Lyn (Micah) and Sabrina (Chad), sister Kimberle (Rodney) Davis, grandchildren Chay, Zion, Ezekiel, Zoey, Max, Jack, Keziah, Hendrix and Hoxon, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The man of faith passed peacefully at home with his family.
A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jose Abrojena Macalma Jr.
Jose Abrojena Macalma Jr., of Kaumakani, passed away on June 2, 2023 at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home at the age of 71. He was born on Aug. 29, 1951, in the Philippines. He was an irrigator for the sugar plantation industry.
He is survived by sons Jay Alexander Macalma of the Philippines, Bryan Macalma of the Philippines and Joseph John of the Philippines, daughter Jennifer Rose Geronimo Macalma of Kaua‘i, significant other Josephine Fernandez Geronimo, four grandchildren, brothers Artemio (Ophelia) Macalma of California and Henry (Mariette) Macalma of California, sister Rose Macalma Buduan of Phillipines, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Friday, June 23, at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Visitation is from 8 to 10 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Eric Lynn Teruo Kajiwara
Eric Lynn Teruo Kajiwara, of Waimea, passed away on May 28, 2023, at the age of 69, in Waimea. He was born on Sept. 15, 1953, in Waimea. He was a primary troubleshooter.
He was preceded in death by parents Teruo and Ruth Kano Kajiwara.
He is survived by wife Jaedene Waiala Tremaine Kajiwara, son Jaime “Baba” (Lynnette) Kajiwara of Maryland, daughters Tiani (Ivan) Ruiz of Waimea and Taira “Banana” Kajiwara of Kaua‘i, grandchildren Waianuhea, Kawahinemaikalewa, Tiare, Paliku, Arte Boy and Temoana, brother Calvin (Julie) Kajiwara of Kekaha, sister Lorene (Glen “Slack”) Odo of Waimea, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, June 24, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
