Obituaries for Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Romana Tambaoan Calderon
Romana Tambaoan Calderon
Romana Tambaoan Calderon, 88, of Hanama‘ulu, passed away on April 27, 2023, at Garden Isle Health Care. She was born on Feb. 28, 1935, in Mapandan, Pangasinan, Philippines. She retired from Wilcox Elementary School.
She was preceded in death by husband Marcos Aban Calderon Sr., father Felomino Tambaoan, mother Brigida Fernandez Tambaoan, brother Adolfo Tambaoan, sisters Milagros So, Demetria Cruz, Rosalina Gutierrez, Diomeda Soriano and Herminia Bernardo.
She is survived by children Marie (Bobby) Lee of Lihu‘e, Linda (Nathan) Konishi of Lawa‘i, Marc (Kenani) Calderon of Lihu‘e, Jacob (Rowena) Calderon of Tarlac, Philippines, sister Gloria (Rolando) Lalas of Mapandan, Philippines, sister-in-law Emma Tambaoan of Carson, California, grandchildren Tanner Lee, Kalen and Kyler Konishi, Kawai, Nahe, Maka and Kekai Calderon, Jarren, Jacea and Jannah Calderon, hanai children Bernard (Kristin) Soriano, Carmela (Royden) Pablo, Peter (Marita) Soriano, hanai grandchildren Morgan, Kendall and Chase Soriano, Cierra (Bubby) Saiki and Brittnee Pablo and Kylen, Crista and Maiah Soriano.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 8, at Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation begins at 8 a.m., eulogy at 9:45 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bella Ilalaole
It is with great sadness that the family of Bella Ilalaole announce her passing on May 23, 2023. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 95. As a person of faith that lived a life serving others, she will be dearly missed by many.
Preceding Bella in death were husband John Ilalaole Jr., parents John and Mary Santos, sisters Lillian Perreira, Betty Gomes, Louise Silva, brothers Manuel Santos, Kenneth Santos and son-in-law Saia Finau.
She is survived by daughters Frances Finau, Mary Silva, Marilyn (Jimmy Cabral) Planas, grandchildren Bella (Don) Finau-Faumuina, Luisa (Kawika) Pelletier, Clayton Silva Jr., Jasmyn Silva, Jackie (Kapena Wilson) Planas, John-Gregory (Brooke) Planas, great-grandchildren Makeli (Nathan) McKinney, Noah Faumuina, Jonah Faumuina, Makakoa Pelletier-Finau, Makalehua Pelletier, Sophia Silva, Keileb-John Albarado-Planas, Keiley Albarado-Planas, Kaikea Planas, Micah Balderas and Alyssa Wilson.
A celebration of life is Thursday, July 13, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass to follow. Burial is 1 p.m. at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery, where she will finally be laid to rest with her beloved husband.
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 U.S. 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, 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.
Lane R. Hiramoto
On April 8, Lane R. Hiramoto passed away at home with family at his side. He lived a happy and full life, accomplishing his many goals.
After graduating from Kaua‘i High School, he attended the University of Washington and earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. With an interest in diesel engineering, he was one of a few candidates selected by General Electric to enter into a training program which took him to several states over a two-year period. It was a rewarding training program, and one that enabled him to pursue (and succeed) in reaching another goal: to one day return to Hawai‘i and work for Hawaiian Electric. He was employed by HECO until his passing — over 35 years!
An avid motorcycle and car enthusiast, he enjoyed spending time with friends. He fondly remembered days of dirt biking with his brother Charles, and friends Saki, Kevin and Lee and the Kalaheo boys. Always a grease monkey, he could be found at Harry’s Service — just his legs sticking out from under a car!
His later life was devoted to HECO and the volunteering/service opportunities it provided. He was a strong supporter of the University of Hawai‘i Athletic Department, especially women’s volleyball. He loved attending games at Stan Sheriff Center and supporting his favorite team.
His family will miss Lane — sisters Janis Cox, Lynn (Patrick Murphy) Douthit, Rae (Orlando Valvieja) Hiramoto and brother Charles (Maureen) Hiramoto, along with his beloved nieces and nephews, aunties, uncles and cousins. His many friends will miss him as well!
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 20, at Mililani Memorial Park, Makai Chapel. Visitation with family begins at 10:30 a.m. and services to follow.
Barbara Jean Kuulani Leota
Barbara Jean Kuulani Leota, 82, of Anahola, passed away on March 14, 2023, at her residence. She was born on April 5, 1940, on O‘ahu. She was a housekeeping manager at Pono Kai Resort.
She was preceded in death by parents Louis Mahelona Jr. and Rosella Mahelona, husband Peter Leota, son Peter Leota, brothers Ronald Mahelona, Stephen Mahelona, Alan Mahelona, John Mahelona, Charles Mahelona, sisters Gwendolyn Bargamento, Vivian Almeida, brothers-in-law Glenn Bargamento, Jerry Almeida, sisters-in-law Sue Mahelona and Karen Mahelona.
She is survived by sons John Leota (Jan), Richard Leota (Verna), daughter Lea Myers (Steve), grandchildren Kainoa Leota, KT Leota-Khuong (Andrew), Nicholas Leota (Dana), Keoni Leota (Anthony), Jantill Leota, Lealani Svobodova, William Soza (Michelle), Natasha Leota-Shalawylo (Thomas), hanai grandchildren Daniel Joao, Shawn Myers, Brandon Borrero, numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life and scattering of ashes with family and friends is at Anahola Beach (Pilars side) on Sunday, July 23, 2023 starting at 11 a.m.
Robin Ramson
Robin Ramson, 68, passed away on June 8, 2023. She was born in Utah on April 24, 1955, and retired as a cashier at Puhi gas station.
She was preceded in passing by father Edwin V. Wofford and sister Valerie Haunani Fa‘asoa.
Robin is survived by mother Mililani Wofford of O‘ahu, husband Harvey Ramson, children Krystal Ramson, Nicole (Aaron “Nori”) Chung of O‘ahu, Natasha (Philip) Ramson, Amber (Kaili) Ramson, grandchildren Nathaniel Ramson-Soriano, Xaiteah-Maila Ramson, ‘Aina Chung and Aidan Ramson-Wheelock.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 8, at Kapahi Park, starting at 11 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John H. ‘Keoni’ Cummings III
John H. “Keoni” Cummings III, of Kapa‘a, passed away on June 16, 2023, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 46. He was born on Feb. 24, 1977, in Waimea. He was a self-employed business owner of WLPM LLC.
He was preceded in death by grandfathers Bonifacio Lopez and John H. Cummings Sr., grandmother Barbara Cummings and father Walter Silva.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years Tami Kehaunani Cummings, sons Kaimana (Jalissa) Cummings of Wailua, Kainalu (Michelle) Cummings of Wailua, hanai son Kekai Kaaumoana Cummings of Pakala, daughters Wailana Medeiros-Cummings (Bruce Kanoho) of Lawai, Kamaleimakamae Cummings (Jake Kiilau) of Wailua, hanai daughter Ara Medeiros of Lihu‘e, granddaughter Namaka‘okaha‘i Kanoho, grandson Raiden Nakoa‘emaikalanimalie Medeiros-Pang, Geri the cat, father John H. Cummings Jr., mother Jasmine Lopez-Silva, maternal grandmother Julie Lopez, in-laws Kurt and Tamra Medeiros Sr. of Lihu‘e, brothers Maluhia (Nikki) Cummings of Alabama and Duane (Cathie) Silva of Washington, one brother-in-law of Lihu‘e, sisters Christel (Antonio) Pope of Kaumakani, Lapule (George) Valente of Pakala, Lynn (Chuck) Talbert of Washington, Joanna (Wayne) Duran of Washington, sisters-in-law Kureen Medeiros of Lihu‘e, Tiara (Shayna) Medeiros of Lihu‘e, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 8, at the Wailua Meat Company, 887 F Kamalu Road, Kapa‘a. Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at 11:30 a.m.
The family request casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patrick T. ‘Paddy Boy’ Malama
King of the Na Pali Coast
Patrick T. “Paddy Boy” Malama passed away on Feb. 12, 2020 at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea. He was born on March 30, 1944, in Waimea and was a long time cable installer for Derby Cablevision and Kaua‘i Cable.
He was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Lucille Ku Malama, sisters Elaine Parker, Blubelle Kaowili, Barbara Westerdale, Kapio Ilae, Alma Nerez, brothers Joseph Malama Jr., Llwellyn Malama Sr., Vernon Malama and grandson Cyrus Malama Caveiro. He was followed in death by sister Abigail Estacio of Hanama‘ulu.
He is survived by his wife Pinky Ruth Momilani Leoiki Malama, sons Patrick “Kanani” (Tammy Takamura) Malama of Waimea, Jaime (Alisa) Malama of Kekaha, daughters Roberta “Pua” (Chucky) Remata of Kekaha, Raenette (Alton) Lopez of Kekaha, Jackie (Preston) Lee of Kekaha, Lolly (Mel) Malama of Kekaha, Desiree “Desi” (Daniel) Kittredge of Waimea, grandchildren Pomai (Jeff), Kailan, Jaecie (Javin), Anu (Kassie), Brandee (Sheldon), Byrlynn (Shane), Nakoa (Kai-lee), Taryn (John), Tisha (Justin), Tylan, Tyran (Jocelynn), Kaelin (Ivy), Leann (Chase), Jessica (Tyler), Geon, Reese and Anais, great-grandchildren Mikaylah-Jade, Kieran Sage, Baelee-Rose, Meliyah Grace, Khelton James, Nevaeh, Kingsley, Camron, Michael, Kainalu, Kamaehu, Kaliko, Ezra, Qhaysen, Qhaiyah, Taelynn, Taevanna, Kaio and Kauluwehi, hanai sons Kahalau Leoiki, John (Jodie) Kona, Burt Shimabukuro, hanai great-grandchildren Tiare and Te Moana Ruiz, Kawahine, Kahia‘ai and Arte Boy Palama, brothers Billy (Leona) Malama and Edmund Malama.
His long-awaited celebration of life is July 15, at Kekaha Harbor House starting at 2 p.m.
