Rodney Abinosa 67, of Pahoa died March 22 at Hawaii Care Choices’ Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday (April 7) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, corner of Highway 130 and Orchidland Drive. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Private scattering of ashes at sea at a later date. No flowers. Survived by daughter, Ronnalee Jaelynn; son, Laren Ray; brothers, Alfred Abinosa and Lawrence Fausto Abinosa; sisters, Rose Marie Ernstrom and Debra Lee Wagner; companion, LaDonna Kanani Fincham; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Romaine “Mainey” Kaleo‘okalani Armitage, 42, of Hilo died Feb. 28 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Wailuku, Maui, she was an embalmer for Nakamura Mortuary. Memorial gathering 4-10 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Wailoa State Recreation Area large pavilion. Service at 4:30 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Robert (Keawaiki Perry) Armitage III and Darrell Perez Jr. of Hilo; daughter, Kalei (Austin Cantu) Perez of Hilo; parents, Robert Armitage Sr. and Charmaine Armitage of Hilo; sisters, Larrisa (Kirt) Vesperas of Las Vegas, Wanda Lee (Walter) Rios and Ginger Ann (Robert) Ke of Honolulu; brothers, Robert (Nami Kekaualua) Armitage Jr. of Hilo and Chad (Shenelle) Armitage of Maui; hanai sisters, Melonee “Tutu” Armitage of Las Vegas and Chasity Baucom of Hilo; hanai brother, Alfred Magno Jr. of California; seven grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elaine “The Dragon Lady” Christian, 66, of Hilo died March 15 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired principal at Hilo Intermediate School, former vice principal at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School and Hilo High School, former instructor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, English teacher at Waiakea Intermediate School, seamstress, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Hilo Y’s Men &Women’s Club. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Friday (April 6) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Leo Christian of Hilo; daughter, Shawna-Lyn Christian of Reno, Nev.; brother, James “Jim” Chow of Pahoa; sister, Diane Chow of Pahoa; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jason “Jay” Likelike Kipili‘i, 46, of Keaau died Feb. 26 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a heavy equipment operator, truck driver and musician. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday (April 7) at New Hope-Hilo Church. Celebration of life service at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Darlene Kipili‘i of Keaau; son, Hanalei (fiancee Uluwehi Blaisdell) Kipili‘i of Pahoa; daughter, Kalei Kipili‘i of Keaau; hanai son, Tylan (Celia) Fely of Anchorage, Alaska; parents Obed and Christina Kipili‘i of Hilo; sister, “Bunny” (Holi) Correa of Hilo; brother, Eli (Loke) Kipili‘i of Hilo; maternal grandmother, Beatrice Ritchie of Hilo; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Naomi Keoho Kaiamakini Laau, 83, died March 15 at home. Born in Kalaoa, Kona, she was retired and previous part owner of the former Laau’s Fishing, held managerial positions at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Waiakea Villas, was a member of the Kawaihae Canoe Club, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faith and a U.S. Army veteran. Visitation 7-9 a.m. Friday, April 6, at Mana Christian Ohana Church, 67-1182 Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea. Funeral service at 9 a.m. Burial noon at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona, followed by gathering at Kawaihae Canoe Club. Casual attire. Survived by daughters, Carol (Tom Martinez) Laau-Silva of Kohala and Kanoe (Sam) Peck of Kawaihae; son, Robert McClure of San Diego; sisters, Kathleen (Clive) Fernandez of Kawaihae, Violet Salvador and Charlotte Dupre of Kohala, Emma Faisca of Kahua and Bertha Cabellero of Kawaihae; brother, Ronnie Alonzo of Hilo; 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
