Samuel Liwaimu Bannister Sr., 83, of Waimea died Nov. 26 at home. Born in Waialua, Oahu, he was a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who served during the Vietnam War and member of Imiola Congregation Church, Fleet Reserve Association and American Association of Retired Persons. Visitation 8-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Imiola Congregational Church in Waimea. Funeral service at 9 a.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei welcome. Burial noon at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. Survived by children, Samuel L. Bannister Jr., Andrew T. Bannister, Carole L. Nickel and John J. Bannister of Waimea, Sina Kelau, G. Dale Price, Terry B. Price, K. Lee Price, Robin Eberhart and Tali Haleua of the mainland; brother, Andrew (Elizabeth) Bannister of Texas; sisters, Susan (John) Canon and Ruth (Edward) Forsythe of Haleiwa, Oahu, Josephine Houghtailing of Vallejo, Calif., and Esther (David) Pahoa of Texas; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jean Elaine Black, 94, of Hawaiian Paradise Park died Sept. 12 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Pullman, Wash., she was a retired Santa Clara, Calif., third-grade teacher and U.S. Navy WAVE aircraft mechanic during World War II, outdoorswoman and gardener. Celebration of life 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Leilani Estates Park. Feel free to share memories; light pupus will be served. Casual attire. Body donated to University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Survived by daughters, Sandra Randolph and Linda Swierk of San Diego, Debra Black of Santa Clara and Kimberly (Jose) Archuleta of Keaau; 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; hanai grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hatsue Nishimura, 95, of Hilo died Nov. 27 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired cafeteria worker at Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School and member of Hilo Meishoin Buddhist Temple and Fujinkai. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Richard (Carolyn) Nishimura and Ronald (Grace) Nishimura of Hilo, Glenn (Katherine West) Nishimura of Little Rock, Ark.; daughters, Jennie (Robert) Hashiro of Kahului, Maui, and Edna (Edward) Watanabe of Hawi; sisters, Lillian Kiilau and Violet Kai of Honolulu; sisters-in-law, Michiyo Ishiyama of Hilo and Irene Ishiyama of Honolulu; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gary Hideo Okamura, 70, of Laupahoehoe died Nov. 22 at a private care home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired Hawaii County parks caretaker. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by aunts and uncles, George (Nellie) Tanaka of Fairfield, Calif., Tsuyako Fujitani of Aiea, Oahu, Elsie (James) Doherty of Orlando, Fla., Carole (Hardy) Tsutsumi of Hilo, Shizue Tanaka of Honolulu and Mabel Tanaka of Hilo; cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gayle Naomi Rosario, 60, of Keaau died Nov. 30. Born in Hilo, she worked for Kadota Liquor. No services. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by partner, Hercules Fontes; mother, Kinue Ito; daughter, Dayna Rosario; brother, Glenn Ito; sister, Audrey Jyo; a granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Hong Keong “Hongie” Wong, 86, of Hilo died Dec. 8 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, member of Wanderers Athletic Club and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran during the Korean War. Private services at a later date. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Geraldine “Geri” Wong of Hilo; sons, Royden (Lori) Wong and Greg (Janelle) Wong of Hilo; daughters, Joyce (Augie) Taroma and Karen (Wayne) Tatsuno of Hilo; brother, H.N. Wong of Oahu; sisters, April Leong, Jeany Nakamura, Violet Mark and May Young of Oahu; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.