Obituaries
Advertiser Staff
The Advertiser publishes obituaries about people of interest to its readers as a free public service. Obituaries may be submitted by mortuaries or, with proof of death, by individuals in writing. Fax 525-8037 or write to Obituaries Editor, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Include a contact name and phone number. We reserve the right to edit for form, style and newsworthiness. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. To publish paid death notices, call the classified ads department at 521-9111.
MARY JANE KAHANAMOKU, a noted music educator who also played a key role in the revival of Big Island canoe racing in the 1970s, died Monday at Kona Community Hospital. She was 81. See story.
GERTRUDE "GERRIE" OI WONG BIRCH, 78, of Makaha, died March 23, 2001. Born in Honolulu. Worked at Lanakila Community Center and the Wai'anae Coast Culture and the Arts Society. Survived by hanai family, Genevieve and Cleo Tachera, Barbara Bohnett, Shigeru Miyamoto, Wanda and Elgin Larken-Battles. Memorial service 3 p.m. April 27 at Ku'ilioloa Heiau at Poka'i Bay. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Services.
LUCIA "LUCY" CADAVONA DAMASO, 86, of Pearl City, died March 28, 2001. Born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. An employee for Hawaiian Linen Supply. Survived by husband, Robert Sr.; son, Robert Jr.; daughters, Josephine Abang, Lillian Meniosa, Bernie Porter, Frances Kresge and Joleen Damaso; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Leoncia Acoba and Mary Salvador; brother, Simeon Cadavona. Visitation 10 to 11 a.m. today at Nuuanu Mortuary, prayer service 11 a.m.; burial 2 p.m. at Valley of the Temples Cemetery.
JOSEPH DIBIBAR, 61, of Wai'anae, died March 30, 2001. Born in Kalopa in Hamakua, Hawai'i. Retired from the Honolulu city Wastewater Management Department. Survived by wife, Paulette; sons, Phillip, Dana and Adam; daughters, Priscilla Davis, Josie Dibibar and Demetria Wingfield; brothers, Henry, Larry, Roger and Fred Debebar; sisters, June Suan, Lillian Fugere and Olivia Seeman; 11 grandchildren. Visitation 9 a.m. Sunday at Mililani Memorial Park mauka chapel, service 11 a.m.; private burial. Arrangements by Mililani Downtown Mortuary.
ROBERT KAZUMI EGAMI, 67, of Honolulu, died April 2, 2001.Born in Honolulu. A custodian retired from Honolulu International Airport. Survived by brothers, Kenneth and Raymond; sisters, Shirley Otani and Ellen Yatsu. Visitation from 5 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary, service 6 p.m.
RICHARD MAURICE FRAZIER, 91, of Honolulu, died Feb. 25, 2001. Memorial gathering 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Kona Outdoor Circle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kona Outdoor Circle Foundation. Arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary.
ROSE SAMSON HENRY, 80, of Kailua, died March 27, 2001. Born in Waimanalo. A retried care home operator. Survived by husband, LeRoy. Visitation 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ordenstein's Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary, service 12:15 p.m.; burial 1 p.m. at Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
GEORGE N. KAMAKAHI, 79, of Wai'anae, died March 31, 2001. Born on Moloka'i. A veteran of World War II who served in the Coast Guard merchant marine. Survived by wife, Nho Thi Nguyen-Kamakahi; children, Georgette Hanson, Annette Toro, George II, Paulette Proctor, David, Raymond, Tonette Gumapac, Jonathan, Thao Kamakahi-Watson, Phoung-Nga Kamakahi-Kapaona and Tony Van Nguyen-Kamakahi; 28 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Visitation 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary, service 6 p.m.; burial 11 a.m. at Hawai'i State Veteran's Cemetery. Casual attire.
JAMES KAUKAOHU KAOLELO, 48, of Wai'anae, died March 11, 2001. A former worker at Kona Country Club. A musician with Los Montecas, Kilauea, The Sons of Maluikeau and The Hopeau Sisters. Survived by wife, Larine "Rene" Hopeau; son, Blaine Whitney Souza; daughters, Jonalyne Hoopii and Melanie Kawaauhau; brothers, Hiram Kaninau, Rudy Kaninau, Samuel Kaninau and Luigi Kaninau; sisters, Lillian Kapu and Edith Johnson. Visitation 6 to 9 p.m. today at Nanaikapono Protestant Church in Nanakuli, service 7 p.m. Visitation also 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow, service 10:30 a.m; cremation to follow. No flowers. Aloha attire. Arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary.
KENNETH R.R. KEEN, 64, died Dec. 12, 2000. A 1954 Punahou School graduate retired from Hilton Hawaiian Village who sang with the Ebbtides and was the 1989 Aloha Week king. Ashes to be scattered 10 a.m. April 14 at Pier 36. A complete obituary appeared earlier in The Advertiser.
KIYOTO KOHASHI, 87, of Honolulu, died April 1, 2001. Born in Keaukaha in Hilo, Hawai'i. A production supervisor retired from Island Slipper Factory. Survived by wife, Dorothy; sons, Kerry and Stephen; daughter, Beverly Sinton; five grandchildren; brothers, Theodore and Wataru; sisters, Fumiko Segawa. Private service held.
MARY ELLEN LEE-FLORES, 69, of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of Honolulu, died March 30, 2001. Born in Savannah, Ga. A co-professor of journalism at the University of Georgia; also a professional musician, and a piano and organ instructor. Survived by husband, Rear Adm. Joseph Flores; sons, Michael, Dominique and Rene; mother, Olivera Lee; brother, Raleigh Lee. Services held in Savannah with burial in Bonaventure Cemetery. Arrangements by Lewers Funeral Home, Ruskin, Fla.
JULIETTE WEIGHT PALMA, 98, of Honolulu, died March 27, 2001. A member of the Garden Club of Honolulu. Survived by son, Richard; daughter, Joan Thompson; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild. Graveside service 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oahu Cemetery. No flowers; donations to the Daughters of Hawai'i or Straub Foundation. Aloha attire. Arrangements by Ultimate Cremation Services of Hawai'i.
KARLEE PO'OMAIKAI TORRES-JOHNSON, infant, of Waimanalo, died March 27, 2001. Born in Honolulu. Survived by mother, Lacey Johnson; father, William Torres; brother, Kyle; grandfather, Odell Johnson; grandmother, Candy Elderts. Visitation 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Ordenstein's Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary, service 10:30 a.m.; burial noon. Casual attire.
JAMES "JAMIE" WOFFORD, 44, of Makakilo, died April 2, 2001. Born in Honolulu. Survived by mother, Edith; sisters, Sharon Verano and Jacqelyn Cadiz; brother, Steven. Scattering of ashes 10 a.m. tomorrow from Hau Bush Beach Park in 'Ewa. Casual attire. Arrangements by Ultimate Cremation Services of Hawai'i.
ROSE VERONICA WOODIN, 85, of Honolulu, died April 3, 2001. Born in Pennsylvania. A homemaker. Survived by daughter, Barbara McKay; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild. Private service. Arrangements by Ultimate Cremation Services of Hawai'i.
