Obituaries for Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Geraldine Marie Duarte
Geraldine Marie Duarte
Geraldine Marie Duarte, 82, of Hanama‘ulu, passed away on Jan. 13, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. She was born on Feb. 27, 1941, in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i. She retired as a custodian for the State of Hawai‘i.
She was preceded in death by father Joseph Travaso, mother Charlotte Alves Travaso and brother Donald Travaso.
She is survived by brother Joseph “Poncho” (Mitzi) Travaso of Kaneohe, O‘ahu, daughter Donna (Destry) Lumabao of Hanama‘ulu, sons Robin (Toni) Duarte of Gilbert, Arizona, Corey (Leslie Fontanilla) of Aiea, O‘ahu, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services.
Reef R. K. Oana
Reef R. K. Oana, of Hanama‘ulu, passed away on July 4, 2024, in Kekaha at the age of 44. He was born on Feb. 28, 1980, in Lihu‘e.
He was preceded in death by great-grandparents Manuel and Nora Amorin, maternal grandparents Rossiter R. K. Oana Sr. and Marjorie Oana, grandmother Florintina Sadomiano, uncle Kaleo Oana and brother Doon Sadomiano.
He is survived by sons Zion Ramirez-Oana, Chay Ramirez, daughter Keahi Tupou, parents Danny and Raenette Sadomiano, grandmother Victoria Navarro Oana, brothers Aaron (Latoya) Oana, Keoni Sadomiano, Gavin Sadomiano, sister Shantal Lopes, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Hanama‘ulu Beach Park pavilion. Services begin at 11 a.m., followed by the scattering of ashes. The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lillian Yae Sakata Amimoto
Lillian Yae Sakata Amimoto passed away on June 8, 2024, peacefully at her home in Puhi at the age of 93. She was born on Feb. 1, 1931, in Honolulu. She retired as a secretary for Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Inc., was active with Professional Secretaries International, and volunteered for the RSVP program and Kaua‘i Hospice.
She was preceded in death by husband James Kazuo Amimoto.
She is survived by daughter Denise Nako of Mililani, O‘ahu, son Alton (Sheri Lyn) Amimoto of Lihu‘e, grandsons Jamie Amimoto and Ryker Amimoto.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission, 3-3556 Kuhio Highway, Lihu‘e. Visitation begins at 12:30 p.m., with services to follow at 1 p.m.
The family would like to thank her friends, neighbors, relatives, and members of Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission, Kaua‘i Hospice, and the Kaua‘i County Office of Elderly Affairs for their help in caring for mom.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patrick Steven Laysa
Patrick Steven Laysa, “BeeGee”, of Kalaheo, Kaua‘i, passed away on May 24, 2024, on O‘ahu at the age of 73. He was born in the Territory of Hawai‘i on April 5, 1951. He was a retired mechanic contracted at PMRF.
He was preceded in death by parents Estanislao Laysa Sr. and Hanako Kaneshiro Laysa, siblings Estanislao Laysa Jr., Kenneth Kaneshiro, Charolette Evertsen and Patsy Gapasen.
BeeGee is survived by his family of Kalaheo, wife Jayneen Vidinha Laysa, three daughters Jeslyn Laysa, Janessa (John) Lagazo, Jeryn Laysa, three grandchildren Kahuwai Laysa, Prestin Lagazo, and Tamara Lagazo.
He is also survived by siblings Gary Laysa, Lincoln (Robyn-Gail) Laysa, Wally (Jodie) Laysa, Janet Nishimura, Lily (Norb) Walke, Davida (Lewis) Heeder, brother-in-law Burt (Kuulei) Vidinha, sisters-in-law Erla Akana, Myong Suk Kaneshiro, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the West Kaua‘i Enterprise Center located at 7694 Ulili Rd. Kekaha, HI 96752 (Kekaha Gardens/Hawaiian Homes).
Visitation with services will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon. The family suggests casual attire.
Nu‘uanu Memorial Park & Mortuary and Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family.
Melvin Kauahi
Melvin Kauahi, of Lawa‘i, passed away on June 5, 2024, in Lihu‘e at the age of 80. He was born on Aug. 26, 1943, in Waimea, Kaua‘i. He was a veteran of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard and a retired Chief Master Sergeant.
He was preceded in death by parents Herbert Hao Kauahi and Christobel Kaanohiokalani Holt Kauahi, siblings Christopher Owen Hao Kauahi, Herberta Hanakaulani Montgomery, Herbert Holt “Kabule” Kauahi and Christobel Kaliko Kealoha.
He is survived by wife Ethel Sumie Naito Kauahi of Lawa‘i, sons Kendall K. Kaina (Kelly) Kauahi of Kaneohe, Jason J. Kunane (Cortney) Kauahi of Kaneohe, daughter Denise C. Kaliko Kauahi of Alhambra, California, grandchildren Madison Kamalei Kauahi, Danielle Kamehanaokala Kauahi, Allison Kawehionalani Kauahi, brother Dennis Kauahi of Makakilo, sister Sandra Napua Kinsey of Baker, Montana, numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a celebration of life at noon. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts).
Garden Island 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, Kukui 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.
