Obituaries for Monday, July 15, 2024
Mel K. Munechika
Mel K. Munechika
Mel K. Munechika passed away on Dec. 31, 2023, at the age of 65. He was born on Nov. 17, 1958, in Waimea.
He was preceded in death by parents Noboru and Michie Munechika.
He is survived by brother Guy (Julie) Munechika of Honolulu, sister Eve Domingcil of ‘Ele‘ele, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held in conjunction with his father Noboru Munechika on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Casual attire is requested and no flowers.
Noboru Munechika
Noboru Munechika passed away on Nov. 5, 2023, at the age of 93. He was born on Sept. 26, 1930, in Waimea and was a retired Department of Transportation, Airports Division Security Officer.
He was preceded in death by his wife Michie Munechika, siblings Yukimitsu Munechika, Hisao Munechika, Amy Awtrey, Ken Munechika and son-in-law Myles Domingcil.
Noboru is survived by sons Mel Munechika of Puhi, Guy (Julie) Munechika of Honolulu, daughter Eve Domingcil of ‘Ele‘ele, grandchildren Natalie (Brandon) Wilson of Seattle, Melissa (Joe) Cook of Italy, Bo (Nani) Domingcil of Anahola, Aaron (Kyrie) Domingcil of ‘Ele‘ele, Kai (Alexandria) Munechika of California and Drew (Hannah) Munechika of California.
He is also survived by siblings Edith Iwami of O‘ahu, Joe (Judy) Munechika of Lihu‘e, Amelia Uyehara of California, George Kitamura of Arizona, James Kitamura of Kapa‘a, Lawrence Kitamura of O‘ahu, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. with services to follow. The family has requested casual attire and no flowers.
Mary Ann ‘Pauline’ Ornellas Fernandes
Mary Ann “Pauline” Ornellas Fernandes passed away on May 23, 2024, in Kapa‘a at the age of 94. She was born on Aug. 25, 1929, in Lihu‘e.
She was preceded in death by husband John B. Fernandes Jr. and daughter Caleen Kubota.
She is survived by sons Robbie John Fernandes, Lawrence (Wallis) Fernandes, daughters Annette (Alan) Hashimoto, Stacie (Ismael) Cantu, Anita Fernandes, sisters Theresa Martins, Katherine Ornellas, Eva Hieronymus, 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, three great-great- grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Kapa‘a. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. The family requests conservative casual attire and graciously declines flowers.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
William Pascua Villanueva
William Pascua Villanueva, 98, of Kilauea, passed away on June 30, 2024. He was born on May 28, 1926, in Kilauea, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. William was a retired custodian with the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Transportation, a laborer with the Kilauea Sugar Company, and a custodian with the Department of Education. William enjoyed gardening, fishing, and telling “Papa Jokes.”
William is survived by his daughters Rose Marie Morimoto, Theresa (Juny) Yadao, Leah (Ray) Ho, sons Walter (Shirley) Villanueva, Wendell (Jade) Villanueva, 15 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lolita (Loling) Pascua Villanueva, parents Felix Villanueva and Maria Pablo, son William Edward Villanueva, brothers Alberto Villanueva, Peren Villanueva Sr., Feladis (Val) Villanueva, and Hiraldo (Harry) Villanueva.
Services will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at St. Sylvester Church at 2390 Kolo Road, Kilauea, Kaua‘i. Visitation: 8:30 a.m., Service: 9:30 a.m.
David W. Pratt
David Walton Pratt passed away peacefully while traveling with his family on June 17, 2024. He was 89 years old. He was born in Honolulu on Feb. 12, 1935, the youngest of the four children of Charles Dudley Pratt, Sr., and Dora Marion Broadbent Pratt.
David grew up in Honolulu and attended Hanahauoli School from kindergarten through 6th grade, then attended Punahou School, graduating in 1953. He then attended Hotchkiss School in Connecticut before enrolling at Colorado State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy in 1958.
David started his career in the Hawai‘i Sugar Planters Association training program in 1959 and 1960, then joined American Factors (AMFAC) where he worked until 1972 at O‘ahu Sugar, Lihu‘e Plantation, Puna Sugar and in the headquarters office in downtown Honolulu.
In March of 1972, he began 28 years of work with Grove Farm Company, Inc. as a Manager and Administrative Assistant. He was named Vice President in 1973, and in 1974 became President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held over two separate periods for a total of 25 years. Under his leadership, Grove Farm phased out of sugar production and became a land steward, envisioning and creating the Lihu‘e-Puhi community which includes several residential neighborhoods, Puakea Golf Course, Puhi Industrial Park, Kuku‘i Grove Shopping Center and the surrounding commercial areas, as well as various projects in Koloa and Po‘ipu including the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i.
David also held various positions including President and was a Director of his family’s business, Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd., for the last 54 years. His grandfather Edward H.W. Broadbent founded Niu Pia on lands in the Wailua and Waipouli areas.
During the last fifty years he has been a champion for the Kaua‘i community, serving on numerous committees and boards of directors for organizations such as Kaua‘i United Way, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, First Hawaiian Bank, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Kaua‘i Island Burial Council, Wilcox Health System, National Tropical Botanical Garden, and G. N. Wilcox Hospital Board where he was president for 19 years. David was a passionate advocate of education in Hawai‘i serving on the boards of Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy for 32 years and Island School for 37 years, both schools including him as Trustee Emeritus. He was a member of Kaua‘i Rotary for more than fifty years.
David was Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2001; was named Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year in 2010 by the Aloha Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; was recognized as a Living Treasure by Kaua‘i Museum in 2012; and was honored in 2018 with the Charles S. Judd, Jr. ’38 Humanitarian Award which is given to outstanding Punahou alumni.
David was a 6th generation kama‘aina member of the Judd family whose long life in some way impacted nearly every visitor and resident of Kaua‘i. He was meticulous and detail oriented with a knack for proofreading. He will be remembered for his humility, welcoming everyone with due respect and gracefully including humor in most of his interactions with others.
David was preceded in death by his wife Deborah Wilcox Pratt, brother Charles “Dudley” Pratt, Jr., and sisters Joan Pratt and Barbara Vaughan. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Carol Jesse Hinesly Pratt, sons Sam (Robin) Pratt and Bill Pratt, grandsons James Pratt and Bradley Pratt, two nieces and two nephews, and numerous other extended family members and friends.
A private ceremony for family and close friends will be held at Lihu‘e Cemetery and a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 3 p.m. at Puakea Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in David’s honor to Island School, National Tropical Botanical Garden, or Wilcox Health Foundation.
