Michele Phyllis Kitko
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michele Phyllis Kitko, age 62, a beloved family member and a Special Education Teacher. Michele was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and was adopted and raised in Ventura, California, by her parents Joe and Virginia Kitko.
She is survived by her brothers Mike and Daniel, her ex-husband Frank Reilly of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, and her son Jake Reilly of Portland, Oregon.
Michele took great solace in reuniting with her birth mother, Mary Elizabeth Seger of Crestwood, Kentucky.
Michele was a graduate of the Buena High School class of 1980 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of San Diego. Her passion for filmmaking brought her to New York City, where she worked as an Art Department Production Assistant on the Robert De Niro film “A Bronx Tale.” She later received a Master’s degree in Education from Hunter College in Manhattan, New York. She made a lasting impact on the lives of all of her special needs students in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York and Kapa‘a, Hawai‘i.
In 1994, Michele met her ex-husband Frank Reilly in New York City. They were married in 1998 and moved to the island of Kaua‘i, where they welcomed their son Jake in 2000.
Michele loved to travel and was a fully committed pet-parent to a long line of dogs, cats and birds. She was an accomplished writer and photographer, and enjoyed and created all forms of visual art. She was most at home in nature, especially under an open night sky. But first and foremost, she was a devoted and loving mother. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her dedication to her students, and her love for her family.
Michele will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace.
A family memorial service is planned for her in Long Island, New York in the Fall of 2024.
Thomas Lewis Makanani
Thomas Lewis Makanani, of Kapa‘a, passed away on July 27, 2024, in Kapa‘a, 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 is preceded in death by his wife Lyndelle Makanani, mother Emily I and many brothers.
He is survived by his daughters Kendra (Brad) Inanod of Kapahi, Kaylyn Makanani of Kapa‘a, 2 grandchildren, 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.
Carlina Balgos Iglesia
Carlina Balgos Iglesia, 82, of Kapa‘a, passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2024. She was born in Macate, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines on July 18, 1942. She worked for McDonald’s where she later retired as a manager.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alejandrino “Andy” Iglesia Sr., daughter Stella Iglesia, son Alejandro Iglesia, parents Sulpicio and Hipolita Balgos, siblings Maria Blodgett, Anita Ranche and Rizal Balgos.
Carlina is survived by her children “Chato” Alejandrino (Cynthia) Iglesia, Arlene (Efigenio) Mortera, “Amy” Amelia Iglesia, Albert (Marylou) Iglesia, “Alex” Alexander Iglesia, Arnel (Mharia) Iglesia, “Mylene” Pilgrim (Jay) Camarillo, Julius (Kharen) Iglesia, 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, siblings Oscar (Rosita) Balgos, Larry Balgos, Nora Morata of the Philippines, sister-in-law Cristina Balgos, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A wake service will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a, with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a with viewing at 9:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Kealia, Hawai‘i.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Jacob Takumi Wada
Jacob Takumi Wada, of Anahola, passed away on June 22, 2024, at Wilcox Medical Center at age 99. Born on Feb. 25, 1925, in Anahola, Kaua‘i. He was in the army, retired from Garden Island Motors, and raised anthuriums.
He is survived by his sons Wayne (May) Wada of Lihu‘e, Miles (Cynthia) Wada of California, and Calvin (Jan) Wada of Kealia, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Private service was held.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Magdalena Gallardo
Magdalena Gallardo, 89, a homemaker, passed away peacefully in Aiea, O‘ahu, on July 18, 2024. She was born in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i and lived most of her life in Hanama‘ulu.
She was preceded in death by her husband Carlos Gallardo.
She is survived by her seven children Stephen (Greta) Gallardo, Jeffrey (Nornette) Gallardo, Corinne Gallardo, Kathleen (Robert) Medeiros, Valerie Gallardo, Sandy (Shae) Gallardo, Candice Gallardo, brother Domingo Beralas of Texas, sister Monica Ragudo of California, grandchildren Enchante Gallardo, Dante Gallardo, Giselle Gallardo, Chauntel Nakata, Puna Gallardo, Jabryann (Keith) Krejc, Kendrah Gallardo, Caleb Gallardo, Nicole (Armando) Montalvo, Eric (Kanani) Medeiros, Adam Medeiros, Ashlee Gallardo, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A private viewing is planned for Aug. 9, 2024, at Borthwick Mortuary, O‘ahu. A Celebration of Love and scattering on Kaua‘i will be announced at a later date.
Romualdo Asuncion Pascual
Romualdo Asuncion Pascual, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on May 19, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born on Feb. 7, 1957, in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He was a cook.
He was preceded in death by father Arcadio Pascual, mother Socorro Asuncion Pascual, brother Antonio Pascual, uncle Crispin Ragasa and aunt Leonila Ragasa.
He is survived by former wife Clair Cadavona Pascual of Lihu‘e, son Lionel (Ashley) Cadavona of Pearl City, O‘ahu, daughters Leilah (Brannon) Rivera of Lihu‘e, Lizelle (Tatiana Bohannon) Pascual of Las Vegas, Nevada, four grandchildren, sister Regina (Walter Cortez) Pascual of Las Vegas, Nevada, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lihu‘e, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Visitation begins at 8 a.m. followed by Mass at 9 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
