Thomas Lewis Makanani
Thomas Lewis Makanani, of Kapaa, passed away on July 27, 2024, in Kapaa at the age of 78. He was born on Oct. 17, 1945, in Honolulu. He was a retired heavy equipment operator with Goodfellow Bros.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lyndelle Makanani, mother Emily Makanani and many brothers.
He is survived by his daughters Kendra (Brad) Inanod of Kapahi, Kaylyn Makanani of Kapaa, grandchildren Tawehi Oana-Makanani, Lyndee Inanod, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held at the Anahola Clubhouse at noon on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Nancy Golden
Nancy Golden passed away peacefully on Aug. 12, 2024, in her home surrounded by family. Born Aug. 19, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the only daughter of Ernest and Nell Bondell Peiser.
Nancy grew up in Kansas City until she left at the age of 16 to attend Stanford, later transferring to Northwestern in order to get a degree in early childhood education. Nancy loved working with young children and that led her to many different work and volunteer experiences. Nancy started or directed preschool programs at UCLA, University of Wyoming, UC Irvine, Apple Computer and Stanford Medical School.
She spent the last 32 years of her life living in Omao, Kauai, and during that time, she consistently gave back to and supported the community. She gave her time on the boards of Island School, the YWCA and as a Guardian Ad Litem. She also sang with the Kauai Chorale. Nancy was the founder of Nana’s House in Waimea, a program of Child and Family Service, and worked as its Director for many years until she retired at age 82.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Cindy Helm Coates (Ron) of Koloa.
She is survived by her daughters Debra Blachowiak (Ernie) of Omao, Eve Golden (Gretchen) of San Jose, California and step-daughters Martha Rome (David) of Healdsburg, California and Miriam Golden of Palo Alto, California. She is survived by grandchildren Juli Blachowiak of Los Angeles, California, Rebecca Rome of Denver, Colorado, Emily Tsebelis, London, United Kingdon and Alexander Tsebelis (Chloe) of New York, New York. She is also survived by her two cats Lilly and Ginger, whom she loved with all her heart.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Island School (Main Hall) in Puhi behind KCC. Donations can be made to the Golden Fund (Nana’s House/CFS), Kauai Hospice or Island School in lieu of flowers.
Wallace ‘Mito’ Sonoda
Wallace “Mito” Sonoda, of Eleele, passed away on Aug. 7, 2024, at Kauai Care Center at the age of 89. He was born on Sept. 23, 1934, in Wahiawa, Kauai. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from the State of Hawaii as a Vector Control Supervisor.
Wally was a member of the Rookies Senior Softball Team and namesake of the Wally “Mito” Sonoda Field at the Kaumakani Park Sports Complex.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kensaburo and Yatsue Sonoda, brother Walter “Bumper” Sonoda and sister Mabel Ige.
He is survived by his wife Georgiana “Anna” Sonoda, daughter Lani (Derek) Maeda of Lihue, grandchildren Tiani (Wylan) Kamoku of Waipahu, Brinley Maeda of Lihue, brothers Michiyaki Sonoda of Los Angeles, California, Harry (Carol) Sonoda of Pearl City, sister Elsie “Tsuru” Pung of Hilo, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of his caregivers, Kokua Healthcare, Kauai Care Center and Kauai Hospice.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Steven L. Absher
Steven L. Absher, 65, of Koloa, passed away on Aug. 3, 2024, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Woodstock, Illinois, on June 17, 1959, and was a contractor and business owner of Pacific Masonry and Pacific Island Pools. He was driven, hardworking, and determined to succeed. He loved the ocean; surfing, fishing, sailing, watching the sunset, skiing, listening to music, and watching football. He was kind, generous, and instilled the value of working hard onto his child.
He was preceded in death by his father Sam Absher.
Steven is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Mila Absher, daughter Alicia Absher (Christopher Ramelb) of Honolulu, Hawaii, mother Janice Absher of Gearhart, Oregon, sisters Kim (Mike) Abel of Aberdeen, Washington, Laura (Michael) Holgate of Gearhart, Oregon, beloved dog Black and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends.
The family would like to thank Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor beginning at 12 p.m. with a paddle out to follow at 2 p.m.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
William Allianic Sr.
William Allianic Sr., of Makaweli, passed away on Aug. 7, 2024, in Makaweli at the age of 94. He was born on Jan. 6, 1930, in Waimea. He was an irrigation operator.
He was preceded in death by parents Dorotio and Margaret Allianic, wives Jean Allianic, Sylvia Allianic, brother Benjamin Allianic, sister Lillian Labrador, and daughter-in-law Ruth Hansen Allianic.
He is survived by sons William Allianic Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada, Wayne (Liz) Allianic Sr. of Lawai, Eric Allianic Sr. of Kalaheo, Gerald Allianic of Makaweli, John Mahi of Kapaa, daughters Pat (Bully) Almeida of Koloa, Genevieve “Chico” Allianic of Makaweli, grandchildren Jennifer (Peter) Morishige, Dori Ann (Brandon) Thomas, Lianne (Henry) Allianic-Adam, Ekolu (Jodi) Allianic, Danielle Allianic, Wayne Allianic Jr., Brandon Allianic, Eric Allianic-Kepano Jr., Kelsie Allianic, great-grandchildren Cy Morishige, Cienna Morishige, Cheyann Morishige, Brayden Hookano, Brooklyn Thomas, Bronx Thomas, Myers Allianic, Mav Allianic, Madison Allianic, Javis Melendez, Kaidin Lopes, Haezen Dizon, Zaje Dizon, Onyx Dizon, great-great-grandchildren Braylee Hookano, Tazlynn Hookano, Kyrie Hookano, Teani Hookano, brother Eddie (Sandy) Allianic of Camano Island, Washington, sisters Connie (Merv) Bacarro of Lihue, Rose (Herman) Peleras of Mililani Town, Carmen Nordmeier of Waimea, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service will be held on Sept. 20, 2024, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation is from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 5:45 p.m.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joaquin Nicholas Arruda Jr.
Joaquin Nicholas Arruda Jr., of Kekaha, passed away on Sept. 2, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born on Dec. 6, 1932, in Waimea, Kauai. He worked as a building maintenance supervisor for the federal government.
He was preceded in death by wife Leilani J. Arruda, parents Joaquin and Lucy Arruda Sr., daughter Roxanne Arruda and granddaughter Trinette Vegas.
He is survived by sons Joaquin Nicholas (Arlene) Arruda III of Kauai, Richard (Sandra) Arruda of Kauai, David (Glenda) Arruda of Kauai, daughter Sandra (Sam) Vegas of Maui, grandchildren Fred Aki III (Suli), Clarance Aki (Chelsey), Shannon Daliva (Ben), Jaimie-Lee Cacal (Rayson), Nikita-Lynn Moniz (Oliver), Janice Purisima (John), Jaqlyn Arruda, Jaysen Purisima (Barbie), Jaxen Arruda, Richard Arruda Jr. (Cindy), Noah Arruda, Samuel Vegas III (Mane), Isaac Vegas, Kyle Vegas, Kiana Vegas, Kawika Arruda, Damian Arruda, Sterling Arruda, Jayson Arruda, Zaidyn Arruda, Maxon Arruda, four great-grandchildren, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation from 9 to 11 a.m., celebration of life at 11 a.m., and burial will follow at Kauai Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
