Michael Benevides Jr., 18, of Hilo died Feb. 5. Born in Hilo, he was a 2018 graduate of Hilo High School and Special Olympics athlete. Potluck celebration of life noon-4 p.m. Saturday (March 9) at Onekahakaha Beach Park large pavilion. Survived by legal guardian, Mama Shelly Villegas; brother, Seth Stellar; sisters, Lanessa (Eddie) McClellan and Camille Stellar; father, Michael Benevides Sr.; brothers, Kale Benevides, Brennan Benevides and Logan Benevides; sisters, Kaitlin Benevides, Jaysha Benevides and Precious Benevides; mother, Misty Gutierres; brother, Jordan Gutierres; sister, Ciara Akasaki-Gutierres; an aunt and uncle. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Robert W. “Kiyoshi Bob” Brigoli Sr., 81, of Keaau died Feb. 19 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, he was a retiree from the Hawaii Army National Guard and Army Reserve, owner of Bobby’s Taxi & Tours, substitute teacher, member of New Hope Hilo, post commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wilmington, Calif., Hawaii, karate instructor, Special Olympics volunteer and played with Big Island Horseshoe Club. Visitation 10-10:55 a.m. Saturday (March 9) at New Hope Hilo. Celebration of life service with military honors at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers; cremation to follow. Survived by wife, Patricia Brigoli of Keaau; sons, Robert W. (Beverly) Brigoli Jr. of Hilo, Robin D. (Nikki) Brigoli of Volcano and Randy J. (Lisa) Brigoli of Spokane, Wash.; daughters, Delilah M. Nishimura of McKinney, Texas, and Darnyl L. (William) Palama of Keaau; brothers, Anthony (Gwen) Brigoli of Kona, Albert (Laydeen) Brigoli of California, Peter (Betty) Brigoli of Hilo, John (Ursula) Brigoli and Alan Barcenas of Honolulu, James (Robin) Brigoli of Texas; sisters, Sharon Maxilom of Kaneohe, Oahu, Sharleen Palakiko of Oregon, Geraldine (Jack) Digman and Norina Barcenas of Honolulu, Susanne (Steve) Bourque of Las Vegas; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Barbara) Data Sr., Robert (Kuulei) Data, Ronald (Nalani) Data and Thomas Data Sr. of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Shirley Ann (Chuck) Forbes of Garden Grove, Calif.; 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sonia “Son” (Kauwe) Ching, 45, of Keaau died Feb. 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hauula, Oahu, she was a student at Hawaii Community College, former photographer at Sears Portrait Studio in Hilo and Ala Moana and team mom for “Hawaiian Isle Athletics Baseball.” Visitation 6-7 p.m. Friday (March 8) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 7 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Ivan Kauwe of Puna; son, Anson Kauwe of Puna; daughters, Bianca (AJ) Agustin of Puna, Kellie (Kepa) Ching and Ashily (Kevin) Ching of Hauula; mothers, Gail (Preston) Greene of Laie, Oahu, and Victoria “Ma-Chee” Yadao of Hauula; fathers, Rodney Caplin of Maui and Earl Greene Sr. of Laie; brother, Earl Greene Jr. of Laie; sisters, Carol (Jerome) Andrade and Vickie (Kimo) Preston-Greene of Laie; mother-in-law, Lyla Vogeler of Puna; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Luana) Vogeler, Kalai (Chanda) Vogeler and David Benevides of Puna; seven grandchildren; hanai children, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leovegildo “Leo” “Hildo” B. Mercado, 91, of Honolulu, formerly of Pahala, died Feb. 21 at The Queen’s Medical Center West Oahu. Born in the Philippines, he was a retired agricultural laborer and member of Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday (March 9) at Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Burial at church cemetery. Survived by sons, Peter (Terri) Cabreros and David (Stephanie) Cabreros of Keaau; daughters, Caridad (Kenneth) Bargamento of Germany and Marvine Mercado of Honolulu; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.