Wendell Tadaichi Kina, 57, of Hilo died Feb. 16 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a lawnmower repairman for Robert’s Lawnmower Shop, member of Hui Okinawa and former member of the Hilo Badminton Club. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by companion, Tammy Rapoza of Mountain View; daughter, Kimberlee Rapoza of Mountain View; mother, Janet T. Kina of Hilo; sisters, Allison Shiigi and Sandra (Jon) Cabanas of Hilo; two grandchildren; nieces, a nephew, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patricia Louise LaGrange, 65, of Pahoa died Feb. 25. Born in California, she was a regular at Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar and Farmers Market in Kalapana. Celebration of life 1:30 p.m. Saturday (March 9) at Uncle Robert’s. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com Survived by son, Harrison LaGrange-Gauss of Arcata, Calif.; daughter, Claire LaGrange Gauss of Pahoa; brother, Kyle LaGrange of California; sisters, Ethel and Crystal of California; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Cecelia C. Luiz, 100, of Papaikou died Feb. 26 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Papaikou, she was a Kalanianiole School cafeteria worker and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Young Women’s Institution, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and its Sacred Heart Ladies Society and Portuguese Catholic Club. Visitation 6-7 p.m. Tuesday (March 12) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation again 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesday (March 13) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. Mass at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Burial noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by daughter, Janet (Albert) Araujo of Papaikou; son, Leonard (Debra) Luiz of Papaikou; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Luiz of California; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Stephanie Navarro Mahu, 55, of Kailua-Kona died Feb. 17 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in Kealakekua, she was a housekeeper for Wyndham Worldwide, former day care teacher for Ohana Keiki Daycare and Creative Day Preschool. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at St. Benedict’s Church. Service at 10 a.m. Refreshments to follow. No flowers. Condolences: P.O. Box 4455, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745. Survived by husband, Herman Mahu of Kailua-Kona; daughter, JoAnna (Jose Garcia) Santana of Kailua-Kona; son, Jostin Santana of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Michael (Denise) Navarro, Joseph Navarro and Virgil Navarro of Kailua-Kona, Patrick Navarro of Kauai, Christobal (Janine) Navarro Jr. of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Cynthia (Sam) Pua of Oregon and Rosemarie Shields of Florida; 14 grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Ellen Lucy (Gravela) Nunes, 75, of Oakland, Calif., died Feb. 6 at Highland Hospital. Born in Pahala, she retired from Nordstrom Rack Department Store and was a Ka‘u High School graduate. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at Ballard Family Mortuary. Service at 10 a.m. Lunch to follow. Casual attire. Flowers and lei welcome. Survived by sons, John L. (Ohnnmar Lee) Nunes IV of Oakland and Joshua (Elisa) Nunes of Waikoloa; daughters, Deanna (Brian) Brown of Hilo, Teri Nunes of Pepeekeo and Lucy (Ken Moniz) Nunes of Oakland; brothers, Prudencio “Danny” Gravela, Glenn Gravela Sr. and Leslie (Dee) Gravela of Naalehu, Francis (Carol Kekauoha) Gravela of Hilo, Lawrence (Tracy) Gravela of Keaau; sisters, Mary Peralta of Pahala, Eleanor (Jim) Talich of Kwajalein, Frieda Lee, Bernice (Christian) Behle and Salome (Shannon) Horiuchi of Hilo, Lordes (Steve) Kornelson of Georgia, Milisa (Felix) Ibarra of Waiohinu, Elizabeth (Catalino) Alcordo of Mililani, Oahu; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Richard Bert Benton Starr, 72, of Pahoa died Feb. 19 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Williamsport, Pa., he owned Road Kill Mobile Repair, was a journeyman diesel mechanic for Pacific Motor Trucking and U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran. Private services held. Survived by wife, Kathleen Starr of Pahoa; daughters, Jennifer (Edward James) Starr-Youngling and Marjorie Starr of Maryland; son, Jeffery Starr of Colorado; stepsons, Mark Womack of California and Paul (Maria) Womack of Pohnpei, Micronesia; four grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.