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.
Kirk Tony Smith
Kirk Tony Smith, 58, of Kapa‘a, passed away on June 2, 2023, in ‘Ele‘ele. He was born on June 20, 1964, in Fresno, California. He was an entrepreneur and served in the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by father Robert Eugene Smith.
He is survived by mother Betty Davis, wife Donnalee Smith, sons Kameron Smith and Sean (Tara), daughters Janah Lyn (Micah) and Sabrina (Chad), sister Kimberle (Rodney) Davis, grandchildren Chay, Zion, Ezekiel, Zoey, Max, Jack, Keziah, Hendrix and Hoxon, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The man of faith passed peacefully at home with his family.
A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joseph Paul Muñoz
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.
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, 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, grandchildren Tanner Lee, Kalen and Kyler Konishi, Kawai, Nahe, Maka and Kekai Calderon, Jarren, Jacea and Jannah Calderon, hanai children Bernard (Kristin) Soriano, Carmela (Royden) Pablo and Peter (Marita) Soriano, hanai grandchildren Morgan and Kendall Soriano, Cierra (Bubby) Saiki and Brittnee Pablo and Kylen, Crista and Maiah Soriano.
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.
Keith Suga
Keith Suga, of Hanapepe, passed away on June 18, 2023, at his residence, at the age of 46. He was born on Jan. 22, 1977 in Waimea. He was an operation manager at Pacific Concrete Cutting & Coring.
He was preceded in death by father Daniel Isaac Suga and grandparents Ronald and Kay Suga and James and Haruko Izumi.
He is survived by wife Jill Suga of Hanapepe, son Kelson (Chaslee Aki) Suga, daughter Keisha Suga, mother Blanche Suga of Hanapepe, brothers Scott (Gayle Caoagas) Suga of Waimea and Kevin (Leilani) Suga of Hanapepe, nieces Kendra and Leily Suga, nephew Keiji Kitaguchi, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. Visitation begins at 8 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m.
The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family the family with arrangements.
Mary Ann McKee
Mary Ann McKee was born May 7, 1938, on Kaua‘i, to parents Manuel and Helen Rita. She passed away Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at the age of 84. She grew up in Kalaheo, and loved visiting every chance she got. She had a love for animals and would take them in without any hesitation.
She was preceded in death by parents Manuel and Helen Rita, husband Ronald McKee, brothers Robert Stanley Rita Sr. and Alan Rita and daughter Melissa McKee Tangney.
She is survived by children Steven McKee, Michelle Grissom, Eric Mckee and Shawn McKee. She has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well, along with numerous relatives and friends.
A service is at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo on July 1, from 9 to 10 a.m. for the viewing, and the prayer service to follow. This is an aloha casual gathering. Thank you so much.
