Obituaries for Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Hidemi Miyasaki
Hidemi Miyasaki
Hidemi Miyasaki, 94, left this world peacefully on Jan. 3, 2024, the eve of his 95th birthday. He was surrounded by family in his Kilauea hometown. The time had come for him to be reunited with his parents, Chika and Yonesaburo Miyasaki. He would also be reunited with his nine brothers and sisters and many others who preceded him. He would have so much to talk about.
Hidemi worked his way through Kilauea Sugar Company. He was a supervisor when it closed. He relocated his family to Hamakua Sugar Company until his retirement. Hidemi loved to spend his time growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. He loved the sea and spent many hours fishing. Hidemi was always supported by Doris, his wife of 69 years. Together they raised four children: Susan (Garry Dacanay) Arakaki, David (Julie) Miyasaki, Mark Miyasaki, and Lori (Damian Baptiste) Miyasaki-Baptiste.
When Hidemi became a grandpa, he was truly in his element. Grandchildren were his reward in life: Melanie Hamachi, Jamie (David) Shiira, Bryson (Danielle) Miyasaki, Shereen (Henry) Lee, Stephanie (Shannon) Chung, Kristen Miyasaki, and Kerri Nagasawa.
His great-grandchildren loved their Papa dearly: Kaden Shiira, Nathan Arakaki-Lee, Lexie Hamachi, Cylar Miyasaki, Darian Miyasaki, Riley Chung, Avery Arakaki-Lee, Harley Arakaki-Lee, Kayla Shiira, Reagan Chung and Chase Sukekane. Papa always said they will meet again at the end of the rainbow.
A celebration of Hidemi’s life will be on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at All Saints Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m. For those unable to attend, Hidemi has asked that you think of happy times. Then share a smile.
Jessica ‘Jessie’ Louise Coyamin
Jessica “Jessie” Louise Coyamin, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Jan. 5, 2024, at the age of 64 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. She was born in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i, on Jan. 25, 1959.
Jessie was employed at Puakea Golf Course as a groundskeeper and worked part-time for various rent-a-car companies before the pandemic. She was an awesome person who loved to roll dice with friends and spend time with her family and friends on special occasions. Our departed Jessie will be sadly missed by her family and everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her mother Francisca “Frances” Agao Rapozo and nephew Lenson William Coyamin Perez.
She is survived by her father Rosario “Ross” A. Coyamin, stepfather Donald “Spike” R. Rapozo Sr., siblings Russell “Russ” A. (Pamela) Coyamin Sr., Rebecca “Becky” A. (Ricky Imada) Coyamin, Donald “DJ” (Danielle Pelletier) R. Rapozo Jr., children Shayleen “Shay” F. (Roderick “Baga” Bagaoisan) Louis-Coyamin, Jennifer “Jenny” (Albert Maghanoy Jr.) Louis, Melissa “Melis” (John Krause Jr.) Louis, Reuben Louis, children’s father, Abel H. Louis, Jr., 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, hanai sisters Ulu Urwiler, Janell Efhan, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Kalapaki Park, Nawiliwili, on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. Please bring memories, your comfortable chairs (if you want), and BYOB.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family.
Teena Maree Manes
Teena Maree Manes was born in North Bend, Oregon, on April 10, 1960. She passed away in Kaua‘i, on Jan. 31, 2024. She grew up in Bandon, Oregon, always loving the beach. She moved to Kaua‘i in 1990 and loving Kaua‘i and all of the people she met there so much she never left. Teena’s light will shine beautifully bright in all those lives she touched along the way. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, and loving personality. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and many friends. Rest in Peace Teena.
She was preceded in death by father Marvin Ray Manes.
She is survived by mother Carol Manes, brothers Bill Manes, Allen Manes, sister Pamela Bolt, nieces Allison Bolt, Haley Carro, Michelle Holland, nephew Jordan Bolt, great nephews Wesley Manes, Beck Archibald, Taylor Holland and great niece Meilani Carro.
A service will be held at a later date.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tito Rasay Gano
Tito Rasay Gano, of Lihu‘e, passed away on Feb. 4, 2024, in Lihu‘e at the age of 84. He was born on Jan. 4, 1940, in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He was retired.
He was preceded in death by parents Dionicio B. Gano and Sergundina G. Rasay Gano, brothers Santiago Gano, Herminio Gano, sister Angelina Valdez, parent-in-law Simon (Teofista) Balisacan and brother-in-law Gerardo Balisacan.
He is survived by wife Marina Balisacan Gano, son Richie (Kanani) Gano, grandchildren Kimo Gano, Madison, Mya, Mason, great-grandchild Isabella Gano, brothers Rogelio (Tessie) Gano, Rudico (Lita) Gano, Oscar (Anita) Gano, sisters Consorcia (Ernesto) Agmata, Ursula (Justino) Ganotise, Cornelia (Gil) Ganal, Perlita (Luciano) Rarangol, Zenaida (Domingo) Mendoza, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation from 8:45 to 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
William ‘Bill’ Chiu Sun Lee
William ‘Bill’ Chiu Sun Lee, died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2024 in Kuakini Hospital, Honolulu at the age of 92. He was born on April 23, 1931 in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
He is survived by son, Brian (Linh) Lee of Kailua-Kona, daughters, Cheryl Lee (Kenneth) Kubota of Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i, Lenore (Curtis) Lau, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, sister, Betty Young, girlfriend, Thi ‘Judy’ Ke, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Feb. 23, at Borthwick Mortuary, Mauka Chapel, 1330 Maunakea St., Honolulu. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Burial at Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe, Hawai‘i.
Clement ‘Clem’ Joseph Soares
Clement “Clem” Joseph Soares, passed away on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, following a brief illness, at Poudre Valley Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was born on March 8, 1958 in Waimea, Kaua‘i, to Joseph and Margaret Soares.
Clement was a Kauai High School graduate, Class of 1976. He worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic for McBryde Sugar Company until the company closed, then at Allied Machinery and finally for Kaua‘i Coffee.
Clement was preceded in death by his father Joseph A. Soares, mother Margaret K. Gaebler, brother Robert R. Soares and his wife Lisa Archibeque Soares.
Clement is survived by brothers Clifford (Analyn) Soares of Henderson, Nevada, Calvin (Leona) Soares of Kalaheo, Hawai‘i, Jared (Wanda) Soares of Fort Collins, Colorado, and a sister Carmel (Scott) Martin of Wesley Chapel, Florida. He has many uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and cousins of which he was so fond of.
Finally, to the caring medical and nursing staff at UC Health’s Poudre Valley Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit who cared for him, and got to know him for the brief periods of time.
His nurses and hospital chaplains would sit with him for hours at a time, to comfort him and learn about growing up in Hawai‘i. Playing music with his brothers was a topic in all conversations. Last but not least, to Roger and Peggy Hageman, Clem’s dear friends, provided moral support to him upon his return to Fort Collins, Colorado. Their commitment to Clement, Jared and Wanda was there until his passing on Dec. 15.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date.
Michael Todd Martin
Michael Todd Martin, 62, of Anahola, Kaua‘i passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 25, 2024.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Iwalani Pa Martin, mother Darlene Pa, children Kau‘i (Melvin) Aki, Bolo (Lia) Marshall, Mokihana (Samiuela) Kauvaka, Keikilani (Mapuana) Pa and Troy (Chantel) Pa, grandchildren Joshua (Garrett), Maile (Elijah), Kanoe (Demetrio), Ekolu, SelaLei, Mino‘aka, Ema, Eryn, Lele, Kamuela, Siosiana, Sekope, Samiuela, Nahe, Julia, Saimone, Mililani, Makana, Nainoa, Lavinia, Sean, Kaylen, Dean Jordan, Courtney, Kamalei, Keani, Bulla, great-grandchildren Elianna, Aleyhna Gouveia and Ulu Puppy, brothers Derwin (Julie) Kunewa, Matthew (Rhonda) Martin, David Martin, Kai Martin, Robert Pa, Sam Pa, Kane (Anela) Pa, Mitchell (Kim) Pa and Shilo (Bernie) Pa, sisters Iraina Martin and Angelina (Lealiki) Koli.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Jolene Kehaulani Martin, father Sam Pa, father Frank “Palani” Martin, mother MaryAnn Kunewa, brothers Frank Martin and Joey Martin, sister Lehua Laban and Keala Pa.
Visitation and Service will be held Feb. 23, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kapa‘a from 9 to 11 a.m. Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
