William “Billy” Aina, 89, of Las Vegas, formerly of Ewa Beach, Oahu, died Dec. 4 in Las Vegas. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War and was a meat cutter at the Army Commissary at Schofield Barracks. Memorial services 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Survived by daughters, Malaurie Berg of Las Vegas and Billie Ann Terao of Kauai; son, Randall Aina of Oahu; sisters, Vera Ermatinger of Utah, Myra Paul and Verna Villaverde of Hilo; brother, Henry Aina of Hilo; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas.
Alexander “Squeaky” Robert Carriaga, 63, of Hilo died Dec. 12 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a former employee of Hawaii Electric Light Co. and the former Hilo Coast Processing Co. Visitation 6-7 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 3) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 7 p.m. Cremation to follow. Celebration of life noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Papa‘ikou Hongwanji. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by sons, Shon (Sabrina Publico) Carriaga, Daison (Nemy) Carriaga, Alexander (Jesica Pacheco) Carriaga II and Alika Carriaga of Hilo; son-in-law, Wes De Motta of Hilo; daughters, Andrea (Jose Luis) Palomo of Whittier, Calif., Roberta (Banyan Cate) Carriaga and Katherine (Jacob) Puakea of Hilo; father, Mariano (Ethel) Carriaga Sr. of Hilo; brothers, Mariano (Darlene) Carriaga Jr. of Hilo, Mark (Beverly) Carriaga of Kailua-Kona, Carl “Little Man” (Pua) Carriaga of Hilo, Michael Pascual of Ocean View, Melvin “Ray” Carter of Kona and Francis “Adobo” (Rochelle) Carter of Hilo; sisters, Jonnie Davis of Hilo, MarieElena (Dean) Rocha of Kona and MonaLisa Spalding of Hilo; 11 grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Walter Raymond Collins, 78, of Honaunau died Dec. 23 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Indio, Calif., he was a retired psychotherapist. Private services. Survived by wife, Barbara Coffman of Honaunau; sons, David Collins of Nyack, N.Y., and Matthew Collins of Eugene, Ore.; daughter, Kathleen Temple of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a granddaughter. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Joanne Atsuko Higa, 75, of Monterey Park, Calif., died Sept. 7. Born in Hilo, she was a teacher and educational administrator and alumna of Hilo High School and University of Hawaii. Services held. Survived by husband, Minoru Higa; daughter, Lynn; son, Neil; sister, Myrtle (Lowell) Terada; brother, Dennis (Roberta) Miyashiro.
Melvin “Mel” Viloria, 74, of Waimea died Dec. 1 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired chief agent for Hawaiian Airlines at Kona International Airport. Visitation 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Kahua Ranch in North Kohala. Celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Refreshments to follow. Family condolences to: P.O. Box 2283, Kamuela, HI 96743. Survived by wife, Kim Viloria of Waimea; son, Melvin R. Viloria of Honolulu; daughter, Alyce Viloria of Honolulu; sister, Sandra (Claude) Caravalho of North Kohala; a granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.