Obituaries for Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Adriano Basada Villasista
Adriano Basada Villasista
Adriano Basada Villasista, 81, passed away on May 16, 2023, in Waimea. He was born on July 1, 1941, in Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines, and worked as a dairyman with Meadow Gold.
He was preceded in passing by parents Juan and Perpetua Villasista and sisters Dominga Cartas and Lourdes Del Rosario.
He is survived by his loving partner of 47 years Erlinda Butac Marcelino, daughters Marilyn (Alejandro) Magno, Wilma (Marcial) Geronimo and Shirley (Brian) Shaw, sister Romula Alumbria, 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life is Saturday, July 1, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Garret Itsuo Sokei
Garret Itsuo Sokei, of Kapa‘a, passed away on June 8, 2023, in his home, at the age of 77. He was born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Lihu‘e and retired from Kukui Jams and Jellies as a small engine mechanic.
He was preceded in death by wife Naomi Sokei and parents Elmer and Tomiko Sokei.
He is survived by children Justine (Ronald) Hoffmann and Shane (Veronica) Sokei, brothers Greg (Pam) Sokei and Giles Sokei, sisters Joyce Housh, Jean (Lyle) Nakamoto and Joan (Lito) Vila, grandchildren Heather Sokei-Lutz, Duncan Sokei, Logan Sokei, Paetyn Hoffmann and Ryenne Hoffmann, great-grandchildren Zoe Sokei-Ganir, Luke Sokei, Justin (Taizo) Ganir, Maverick Sokei-Lutz and Amelia Sokei, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is July 1, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m., with internment to follow. The family suggests casual attire.
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 announces 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 who lived a life serving others, she will be dearly missed by many.
Preceding her in death were husband John Ilalaole Jr., parents John and Mary Santos, sisters Lillian Perreira, Betty Gomes and Louise Silva, brothers Manuel Santos and Kenneth Santos, and son-in-law Saia Finau.
She is survived by daughters Frances Finau, Mary Silva and Marilyn (Jimmy Cabral) Planas, grandchildren Bella (Don) Finau-Faumuina, Luisa (Kawika) Pelletier, Clayton Silva Jr., Jasmyn Silva, Jackie (Kapena Wilson) Planas and 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.
Nelson Patrick Rita
Nelson Patrick Rita, of ‘Ele‘ele, passed away on June 8, 2023, at his home, under hospice care. He was born on July 22, 1940, in Waimea. He was a wharf clerk with McCabe, Hamilton and Renny at Nawiliwili Pier and a proud veteran of the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his loving Wife of 61 years Carlina “Carol” Rita, Sons Nelson (Duelane) Rita, Jeffrey (Stacie) Rita and David “Paday” (Wendy) Rita, Grandchildren Kaylene (Bryn) Rita, Kahi (Robin) Rita, Clinton (Shalea) Rita, Ashley (Ryan) DeWitt, Brandie (Daniel) Larkin, Shantel Rita, Ashford (Ling) Rita, Kelsey (Michael) Ropati, Tyler (Taron Napoleon) Fessenden-Batis, Tatiana (Christopher) Rita-Orr and Landon Rita, Great-Grandchildren Kiana, Ky, Kayn, Kyri, Deegan, Nui, Kawena, Dreyson, Ares, Astraea and Achilles Rita, Devin, Aaron, Kayla and Kelly DeWitt, Sheldon-James Ropati, Kahoku, Titus and Jaxen Fessenden-Napoleon and Zaiden Christopher Rita-Orr, Sisters Priscilla (Guy) Ruiz and Isabell Arakaki, Brothers-in-law James “Kimo” Burgess, James Silva, Domingo “Sunday” Aguinaldo and Ernesto “Jackie” Aguinaldo, Sisters-in-law Mariana (Benjamin) Villatora and Julia (Ferdinand) Tambua, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by Parents John and Stella Rita Jr., Brother Edward Rita Sr., Sisters Bernice Silva, Patsy Silva and Stella Burgess, Mother and Father-in-law Generosa and Juan Aguinaldo, Brothers-in-law Gabriel Silva, Fausto Aguinaldo and Amado Aguinaldo, and Sister-in-law Barbara Rita.
Family and friends are invited to join us on Saturday, July 1, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m., with celebration of life to follow. Urn burial will be at Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joseph Paul Muñoz
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Joseph Paul “The Watermelon Man” Muñoz, 74, of Keapana Valley, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 18, 2023. He was born in Yamagata, Japan, on Jan. 16, 1949.
He was preceded in passing by mother Umeno Takiguchi Muñoz and father Pedro Muñoz.
He is survived by wife June (Fernandes) Muñoz, children Leela (Billy) Parbo, Sachi Muñoz and Makana (Kaceylee) Muñoz, grandchildren Kainoa Muñoz, Dione (Brison) Maglinti, Kailee (Ezra) Maglinti, Kamalei Parbo, Anela Parbo, Selah Muñoz-Kuwamura, Lilia Muñoz-Kuwamura, Mehana Muñoz-Kuwamura and Kainalu Muñoz, great-grandchildren Kailea Estrella and Xaden Nacapuy, brothers Bobby Muñoz and Albert (Sandy) Muñoz, sisters Joan (Robin) Slingerland and Linda (Jim) Hennessy, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Known as The Watermelon Man during the ’80s, he would harvest big, sweet melons from his Moloa‘a farm, load up the flatbed truck and sell at various locations on the westside. When farming days were over, he would work as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, and started the Princeville route until his retirement in 2019. He enjoyed his sunset years paddle boarding at Kalapaki, being surrounded by his ‘ohana and his loyal and trusty little Pomeranian “Joey.”
Private services will be held by the family.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John H. ‘Keoni’ Cummings III
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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 and Kainalu (Michelle) Cummings of Wailua, hanai son Kekai Ka‘aumoana Cummings of Pakala, daughters Wailana (Bruce Kanoho) Medeiros-Cummings of Lawa‘i and Kamaleimakamae (Jake Ki‘ilau) Cummings 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, 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 and Joanna (Wayne) Duran of Washington, sisters-in-law Kureen Medeiros of Lihu‘e and Tiara (Shayna) Medeiros of Lihu‘e, and 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.
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, and 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 and Jacob (Rowena) Calderon of Tarlac, Philippines, sister Gloria (Rolando) Lalas of Mapandan, Philippines, sister-in-law Emma Tambaoan of Carson, California, 10 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is on 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.
