Obituary Notices: Sept. 17-23, 2017

Big Island Obituaries

Clark Dodson

Clark Dodson
September 29, 1953 – September 15, 2017

Clark Dodson, 63, of Volcano, passed away at home on Sept. 15, 2017. Born in Portland, OR, Clark worked as a mechanic for TriMet in Portland. He retired early and embarked on a lifelong adventure in travel, freedom, curiosity and artistic creativity that included yacht deliveries in Europe and the Caribbean, several years in Key West, sailing trips through the Pacific Northwest, and a move to Hawaiʻi, his final home.

He built several houses on the Big Island, the first using only a set of battery operated power tools. He fell in love with the beauty and peace and power that is Volcano, where, in between jaunts through the neighborhood on his motorcycle, he built his last little cottage and shop and used his welding and forging skills to explore his artistic side, creating metal and wooden sculptures and a magical castle for his beloved granddaughter.

He is survived by his love Jennifer; son James; daughter Emily; granddaughter Olivia; mother Gloria; sister Cindy; brother Blair; special sisters-in-law Joanna and Josie; special nephews Gavin and Joel; and many loving relatives and friends. Celebration of a life well-lived to be held at a later date.

Wade Wilson Dupont
September 18, 1970 – September 15, 2017

Wade Wilson Dupont, 46, of Hilo, passed away at Hilo Medical Center on Sept. 15, 2017. He was born on Sept. 18, 1970, in Honolulu.

Wade is survived by his parents, Howard Kaleo Dupont and Wanda Dupont of Hilo; brother, Kenward Dupont of Pāhoa; and sister, Yolanda Dupont of Mt. View; and numerous Uncles, Aunts, and cousins.

Delfin “Apin” Santos
February 14, 1940 – September 15, 2017

Delfin “Apin” Santos, 77, of Pāhoa passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 15, 2017, after a short bout with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Manila, Philippines on Feb. 14, 1940. Delfin served in the United States Army and later retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, OH.

He is survived by his wife, Mia; his children, Del Santos and Tiffany (Gerald Smith II) Santos-Smith; step-sons, Roger and David (Marie) Zema; grandchildren, Alyssa and Caleb Smith; brother, Renato Santos.

Delfin will be most fondly be remembered by all who knew him for his delicious egg rolls, his quiet nature, and his love of nature and the ocean. His beloved grandchildren will fondly remember their Paw-Paw for cutting up his sweet harvest of pineapples from the backyard, for the sound of his singing resounding from the shower, and for his early morning vacuuming that always woke them up. Per his wishes, a private internment at sea will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Gregg A. Marion
April 8, 1949 – September 14, 2017

Gregg A. Marion, 68 of Hilo passed away at Hilo Medical Center.

Retired U.S. Navy, he is survived by loving wife, Mary; sons, Kimo (Jenny) Marion of Oʻahu, Warren Berdon of Hilo, Wayne Berdon of Oʻahu; daughter, Brenda (Michael) Fleming of Caifornia; sisters, Ann Marion of California and Donna Rasmussen of Utah; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Joey Kainoa Gonzalves
October 10, 1994 – September 13, 2017

Joey Kainoa Gonzalves, 21, of Hilo passed away at home on Sept. 13, 2017. Born on Oct. 10, 1994 in Honolulu.

He is survived by his father, Kevin Apiano Gonzalves of Hilo; mother, Ernesta Marie (Martin Verece) Gonzalves of Hilo; son, Legend Jessie Matias Kaleiwahea Gonzalves of Hilo; daughter, Kaprie Keolalaniolaiku Gonzalves-Makuakane of Hilo; brothers, Chavez Doi-Gonzalves of Hilo, Elijah Doi-Gonzalves of Hilo, Keka Doi-Toilolo of Oʻahu; Sister, Tansy Weilani Comer Doi-Gonzalves of Hilo; grandparents, Valentine K. Gonzalves, Diana M. Gonzalves of Keaʻau; Frank Gonzalves of Honolulu, Sheila McFadden of Kauaʻi; great grandparents, Carmen Alpechi of Hilo, Eddie and Julie Rose of Pahoa. Numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Celebration of Life to be held on Oct. 7, 2017 at Reed’s Bay. Open to the public.

Harold Rapozo Jr.
September 5, 1949 – September 1, 2017

Harold Rapozo Jr., 67, of Mt. View, HI a heavy equipment mechanic and Navy Veteran that served in Vietnam, passed away at home in Mt. View. He was born in Kauaʻi.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret “Muggy” Irvine-Rapozo of Puna; sons Keola (Bailee) Nakaahiki of Honolulu, and Kumai Irvine of Hilo; daughters Leila (Duncan Jr.) Castro of Hilo, Raynette Kaopua of California, and Momi Rapozo of California; brothers Joseph Rapozo of Kauaʻi; sisters Diane Basque of Oʻahu, Berndette Rapozo of Oʻahu, and Sheena Archer of Oʻahu; eight grandchildren.

Celebration of Life for the Big Island Ohana & Friends: Sept. 24 at noon at Wailoa State Park, Big Pavilion.

Committal Services on Oct. 20, 2 p.m. at Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneʻohe. Celebration of Life for Oʻahu ʻOhana & Friends: Oct. 21, 3 p.m. at FITTED Warehouse 754 Pohukaina Street, Honolulu.

Maui Obituaries

Bernice Leinaala Kekona

Bernice Leinaala Kekona
June 29, 1942 – September 20, 2017

Bernice Leinaala Kekona, 75, of Kahakuloa passed away on Sept. 20, 2017. She was born on June 29, 1942 in Kahakuloa.

Bernice was a bus driver for Roberts of Hawaiʻi doing the Kahakuloa Village route.

Visitation will be held at Ballard Family Mortuary in Kahului on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 from 5 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 at St Anthony Church in Wailuku from 9 to 11a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Maui Veteran’s Cemetery in Makawao at 1 p.m.

Bernice is survived by her children, Kenneth R. (Annette) Kekona Jr, Darlene Bloyed, Charlene (James, deceased) Kaaa, Mary Kekona, George (Julia) Kekona, Seraphia P. Scungio, Phillip (Rochelle) Kekona, Maui Kekona; brothers, Norman Ho’opi’i Sr and Gilbert Ho’opi’i; 24 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Kenneth R. Kekona Sr.

Richard Dennis “Kaya” Mendoza
January 3, 1974 – September 16, 2017

Richard Dennis “Kaya” Mendoza, 43, of Kahului, passed away on Sept. 16, 2017, at Maui Memorial Center. He was born on Jan. 3, 1974.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 at Norma’s Mortuary; service will begin at 7:30 p.m. cremation will follow.

Richard is survived by his wife Isabel, parents Maximo Mendoza and Diane Mendoza, daughter Mia Mendoza, brothers Michael Mendoza, Dustin Mendoza and Greg Mendoza.

Henry Kalani Kaili Sr.

Henry Kalani Kaili Sr.
June 28, 1943 – September 12, 2017

Henry Kalani Kaili Sr, 74, passed away on Sept. 12, 2017. He worked for the County Of Maui as a plumbing inspector until his retirement in 2005.

Although he retired, he continued to work and help many people. He was a member of the Makule Pupule Construction Company, led by “Luna” Joe Young. He also loved working and having fun alongside his hanai family, the Young’s in Wailua. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He survived by his wife of 40 years, Martha Goodhue Kaili; sister, Genie Kaopua; sons, Henry KJG Kaili, hanai son, Kyle Yamanaka; daughters, Carole (Jason) Daly, Sheldeen (Craig) Cockett, Michelle (Vernon) Ikeda, Shereen Kaili, and hanai daughter, Etwina “Koko” Rubon; 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild as well as his beloved dog, Bear.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 at St. Ann’s Church in Waihe’e at 8 a.m., mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Henry to Island Hospice at 149 Maa Street, Kahului, HI 96732.

Anthony Kalaemaka Kekona Sr.

Anthony Kalaemaka Kekona Sr.
January 4, 1931 – September 11, 2017

Anthony Kalaemaka Kekona Sr., 86 of Wailuku, passed away on Sept. 11, 2017. He was born Jan. 4, 1931 to William Kekona Sr. and Grace Kepilino of Paukukalo, Maui.

Anthony was a heavy equipment operator and retired from the Maui Land & Pineapple Company. He is predeceased by his wife, Annie Ka’aihue; sons, Adam Kekona, William Kekona, Shawn Kekona; brothers, William Kekona Jr., Leonard Kekona Sr., Kenneth Kekona, Clarence Kekona, and Peter Kekona. He is survived by his sister, Helen (Eddie) White; brother Stanley Faustino; son, Anthony Kekona Jr.; daughters, Gracey (G.G.) Gomes, Yolanda (Richard) Dukes, Jaynell (Allan) Hutchinson, Evalyn Fernandez; hanai children, Leonard Kekona Jr., Kenneth Kekona Jr., Fleming “Flash” Kekona, Blondey Kaaa, Tiny Hewahewa, Ui Kekona; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.