Obituaries for January 9

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Lerbbie “Lerb” Alfred Akana, 60, of Hilo died Monday, Dec. 30, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired captain for the U.S. Army and a Project Manager for Leleiwi Electric. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and the I.B.E.W. Local 142. Visitation from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.; Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Norma (Gapusan) Akana of Hilo; daughter, Sherilin Akana of Hilo; mother, Barbara Akana of Hilo; sisters, Selma (Dexter) Bondaug of Keaau and Lisa Ann (Michael Nuniez) Akana of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Lerbbie “Lerb” Alfred Akana, 60, of Hilo died Monday, Dec. 30, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired captain for the U.S. Army and a Project Manager for Leleiwi Electric. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and the I.B.E.W. Local 142. Visitation from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo; Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.; Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Norma (Gapusan) Akana of Hilo; daughter, Sherilin Akana of Hilo; mother, Barbara Akana of Hilo; sisters, Selma (Dexter) Bondaug of Keaau and Lisa Ann (Michael Nuniez) Akana of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Myrtle Kauinohea Beamer, 88, of Waimea died Dec. 8 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she was a kumu hula. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea for a 10 a.m. memorial service. Celebration of life to follow at the Beamer ranch in Waimea. For more information, call David Beamer at 808-987-7175 or Bones Yuen at 808-987-3931. Survived by husband, Francis Beamer Jr., of Waimea; son, David Beamer of Waimea; hanai son, W. Bones Yuen of Waimea; daughter, Leslie (Robert III) Tanaka of Waimea; sisters, Jean Kalani of Chula Vista, Calif., Angeline Locey of Anahola, Kauai; 10 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Diane Desrochers, 67, of Pahoa died Sunday, Jan. 5, at her residence. Born in Manitoba, Canada, she owned and operated Aloha Garage doors. Private services held. Survived by son, Jason (Maria) Halderson of Pahoa; sisters, Grace (Earl) Smith of Manitoba, Canada, Marion Brohzeit of Manitoba, Canada, Doreen Friesen of British Columbia; four grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home, Hilo.

Anthony Bernard Elia, 64, of Hilo died Sunday, Jan. 5, at his home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired maintenance worker with the state of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division. He was also a member of the Keaukaha Pale Kai Canoe Ohana. Friends may call at the Haili Church on Monday from 4-6 p.m., where a memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Private scattering of ashes to occur at a later date. Casual attire. No flowers. Survived by daughters, Toni-lynn (Steve) Elia-Mendiola of Las Vegas, Nev., Marlene (Brysen) Loo of Honokaa, Kimberly Elia of Anchorage, Alaska, and Nani Elia of Kaneohe; hanai daughter, Elia Pinto of Portland, Ore.; brothers, David (Diana) Elia of Hilo, Louis (Raphaela) Elia of Hilo, and Henry (Sugi) Elia of Lacey, Wash.; sister, Marjorie Elia of Hilo; hanai sisters, Minnie Rose Lindsey of Anson, Texas, and Yvonne (Albert) Kahoonei of Texas; six grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Inc., Hilo.

Mildred May Mahuna Kanakanui, 78, of Maili died Dec. 3 in Honolulu. Born in Kukaiau, she was a retired housekeeper and cook. Services to be held Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kamuela Hawaiian Homestead Hall, Kuhio Hale, located at 64-756 Mamalahoa St. Paniolo/Cowboy attire is requested. Flowers welcome. Survived by sons, Kevin Kanankanui, Duke Maikai, Robert Maikai and Kenui Maikai; daughters, Debra Salboro, Q. Kalani Kanakanui, Norma-Jean Anakalea, Mililani Polelia, Piilani Dorsey, Pauahi Maikai, Kuuipo Perry, Kaleiokalani Kaawa, and Mapuana Caves; hanai son, Eugene Bobby Vierra; hanai daughter, Lorraine Hiko Kapu; brother, Richard Mahuna; sisters, Margaret Ynigues, Leonora Thomason, Elizabeth Lee Loy, and Ethel Mahi; 53 grandchildren; 68 great-granchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and many nices and nephews.