Obituaries for July 6

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Ralph Kanowena Alapai, 72, of Kailua-Kona died May 20 at home. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Maryl Construction Co., West Hawaii Concrete and E.M. Rivera & Sons, cowboy at Puuwaawaa Ranch and member of Civitan Club and Laborers International Union of America Local No. 368. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Makolea, site of the Old Kona Lagoon Hotel. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by sons, John (Phyllis) Alapai of Kealakekua, Kekio (Harmony) Alapai of Keaau and William (Lavern) Alapai of Kealakekua; hanai son, Leroy Funk of Louisville, Ken.; daughter, Courtney Alapai of Kahaluu; sisters, Ivy Kizler of California and Velma Kauahi of Kahaluu; hanai brothers, Wayne (Cami) Kahulamu of Kealakehe and Mitchell (Joanne) Fujisaka of Kailua-Kona; hanai sister, Margaret (Larry) Jose of Holualoa; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren;hanai grandchildren, an aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Chitsuko Asuka, 91, of Hilo, died June 29 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Kukuihaele, she was retired from the late opthamologist Dr. John M. Zelko’s office and a member of Tenrikyo Church and Upper Kaumana Kumiai. Private services held. Survived by husband, Robert Asuka of Hilo; son, Darrell Asuka of Hilo; daughters, Audrey (John) Kusiak of Santa Fe, N.M., Norine (Scott Tamura) Asuka of Honolulu; brother, Robert (Janis) Kashimoto of Tucson, Ariz.; a step-grandson; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Carma J. Comendant, 94, of Captain Cook died June 19 at Life Care Center of Kona. Born in Sandy, Utah, she was a legal secretary, artist, quilter, china painter and musician who played piano for Sunday School at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah. Private services held. Survived by daughter, Karen (Richard) Harrison of Captain Cook; a grandson; two cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Juanita Helen Gonsalves, 75, of Hilo died April 30 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. Graveside urn committal service 11 a.m.-noon Thursday (July 11) at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kaneohe. Oahu. Potluck to follow at Kualoa Beach Park. Flowers welcome. Survived by daughters, Juanita Salsedo, Robette Grammer, Lolita Tenele Grammer, Nora Fernandez Grammer, Evelyn Jardine, Gina Gonsalves and Linda Mejia Gonsalves; sons, Franklin Grammer Jr., Robert Andrew, Quinones Grammer, Edward Grammer and Albert Grammer; brothers, Nelson Keller, Elmer Gene Keller, William Keller, Robert Keller and Manny Keller; sister, Rosie Doris Hernandez Keller; grandchildren, great-grandchildren nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Antonio Cabigas Ventura, 72, of Keaau died June 29 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a hotel maintanence worker. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Wednesday (July 10) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei welcome. Burial at Alae Cemetery new section. Survived by sons, Anthony Kay of Ainaloa and Alan Ventura of Hawaiian Paradise Park; brothers, Alfred (Consuelo) Ventura of Keaau, Norberto (Josefina) Ventura, Delfin (Crisanta) Ventura and Modesto Ventura of Kaloli, Melvyn (Fely) Ventura of Honolulu; sisters, Carlina Ramelb of Kaloli and Susan Ventura Andres of California; six grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.