Obituaries for November 22

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Samuel Kamaki Pinehaka Mahi, Sr., 74, of Hilo died Nov. 13 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired school bus driver trainer for Roberts Hawaii, former Hele-On and Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School bus driver and retired Hawaii Army National Guard staff sergeant and mechanic. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima section. Aloha attire. Survived by wife, Josephine “Sweetheart” Mahi of Hilo; sons, Samuel “Kamaki” Mahi Jr. and Keola Mahi of Hilo; daughter, Mikihala Mahi of Hilo; brothers, Darnell Mahi and Davey Mahi of Hilo; sisters, Maydean Bowman of Kohala and Ilima Mahi of North Dakota; brother-in-law, Dennis Matsuyama of Hilo; a granddaughter; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Rose Salentes Higa, 84, of Hilo died Nov. 3 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Honolulu, she was a service station manager, restaurateur, caregiver to the elderly and bowler who held the women’s high score for single-game scratch and three-game series at the former Hilo Lanes for more than a decade. Private memorial services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Hawaii Island Adult Care Inc. Survived by husband, Akira Higa of Hilo; sons Calvin (Pohai) Higa and Stacy (Jan) Higa of Hilo; daughters Debbie (Derek) Alatan of Hilo and Larnele (Leonard) Hazelwood of Oceanside, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Dr. Robert Hisashi Nishimoto, 71, of Hilo died Nov. 4 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired professor from the University of Southern California School of Social Work, VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) worker on a Native American reservation in Rapid City, S.D., social worker for Catholic Social Services in Van Nuys and Lancaster, Calif., volunteer at the Food Basket-Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program program, Hawaii Care Choices, member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and world traveler. Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin or Hawaii Care Choices. Survived by an aunt and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Melvyn Masaichi Sato, 70, of Hilo died Nov. 7 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired Hawaii Police Department officer, retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, worked for Securitas at Hilo International Airport, U.S. Air Force veteran and member of State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. Private services held. Survived by mother, Mildred Sato of Hilo; brother, Lesley (Darol Tanigawa) Sato of Hilo; sister, Lyndee (Brian) Yoneishi of Hilo; nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Harumi “Doris” Takahashi, 93, of Hilo died Oct. 30. Born in Papaaloa, she was a homemaker and member of Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission and Fujinkai. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Dennis (Christine) Takahashi and Leslie (Annete) Takahashi of Keaau; daughters, Ann Uchida of Hilo, Charlene (Manuel Jr.) Soares and Pauline (Rodney) Tanaka of Keaau; brother, Hisayoshi Higuchi of Utah; sister, Chieko Elizares of Hilo; brother-in-law, Thomas McMahon of Gig Harbor, Wash.; sister-in-law, Hanayo Takahashi of Hilo; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Mitsuko Tomono, 89, of Volcano died Nov. 1 at a private care home in Keaau. Born in Hilo, she was a retired waitress for Volcano House Restaurant, member of Kurtistown Jodo Mission and participated in senior activities at Cooper Center. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Byron (Lynn) Tomono and Chester (Susan) Tomono of Hilo; daughters, Nancy (Jesus) Sanchez of El Paso, Texas, Sandra (DeDwayne) Malachi of Oahu and Sherri Ann (Darryl) Powell of Cincinnati; brothers, Tsutomu Kawamoto and Raymond (Diane) Kawamoto of Hilo; sister, Masako Shimasaki of Hilo; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangement by Dodo Mortuary.