Juan Castro Alvarez Sr., 87, of Waimea died Jan. 5 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Tucson, Ariz., he was a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain during the Korean and Vietnam wars and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 999. Private services held. Survived by sons, Juan (Christy) Alvarez Jr. of Long Beach, Calif., Paul (Denise) Alvarez of Raymond, Calif., and Robert (Tammy) Alvarez of California; daughters, Kuuipo (Douglas) Grube of Texas, Lani (Darlene) Alvarez of Waimea, Mililani Kanamu of Hilo and Luanna (Duane) Sayers of Rohnert Park. Calif.; 19 granchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Chiyoko “Chiyo” Kami, 93, of Hilo died Jan. 31 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Pahoa, she was retired from HT&T and a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Ralph Kami of Hilo; son, Scott (Elaine) Kami of Honolulu; daughter, Diane (Milton) Shiroma of Hilo; brothers, Yoshiichi (Umeno) Ushio of Hilo and Setsuo (Edith) Ushio of Lihue, Kauai; sister, Kikuko Sato of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Hideo Kami of Waimea; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joanie Pualani Dela Cruz Kealoha, 60, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 30 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Kaneohe, Oahu, she was a retired cashier for the lower Matsuyama Food Market, worked for Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Kea Resort, Fairmont Orchid and Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, was a lei maker and hula dancer and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kona 2nd Ward. Celebration of life 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Casual or Hawaiian attire; flowers, wreaths and lei welcome. Survived by husband, Charles L. Kealoha Jr of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Kuuipo Kealoha of Hilo; sons, Keone (Alyssia) Kealoha of Kailua-Kona and Kainoa (Perrin) Kealoha of Caifornia; sisters, Josephine “JoJo” Tanimoto of Kawaihae, JoAnn “Lei” Kalamau and Jeanah (Kalei) Ventura of Hilo; five grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clement Kehaulani Malani Sr., 92, of Hilo died Feb. 6. Born on April 30 in Laupahoehoe, he was in the Army Air National Guard, a heavy equipment operator, security guard, a kahu (pastor) at Laupahoehoe Congregational Church, sang in the Haili Church Choir and Haili Men’s Choir, and participated in the Alu Like Kupuna program and Onomea Rangers. Visitation 8-9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Laupahoehoe Congregational Church, 35-244 Kihalani Homestead Rd. in Laupahoehoe. Service at 9 a.m. Burial noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No 2 in Hilo. Survived by wife, Ruby Leilani Malani; son, Clement (Regina) Malani Jr.; daughters, Cynthia (Calvin) Malani, Catherine (Todd) Kaide and Carol Malani; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangement by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Stafford Irvin Santiago, 55, of Hilo died Jan. 4 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he worked for the county Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division. Celebration of life 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 22) at Hilo Woman’s Club, 7 Lele St. Casual attire. Survived by life partner, Leslie Campbell of Hilo; sons, Aaron Santiago, Kaden (Hoku) Santiago and Culen (Chase) Santiago of Hilo; daughter, Robyn (Kapena) Santiago of Hilo; brothers, Norman Santiago of Hakalau and Stanford (Cindy) Santiago of Kona; sister, Stephanie Lawrence of Hilo; sister-in-law, Julia Santiago of Ewa Beach, Oahu; a grandson; uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hatsuko Yamashita, 90, of Papaikou died Jan. 14 at the Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Hilo. Private services held. Survived by husband, Mitsuru Yamashita of Papaikou; daughters, Joanne (Glenn) Vieira of Hilo and Cora Yamashita of Papaikou; two sisters; two granddaughters; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
