Charleston “Charlie” Kahalaonapuana Awai Sr., 69, of Portland, Ore., died Jan. 23 at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland. Born in Hilo, he was a retired mason tender and founder and head coach of Wailani and Kai Malia canoe clubs. Celebration of life 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (June 26) at Onekahakaha Beach Park Pavilion No. 1. Casual attire; face mask and social distancing required. Bring beach chairs and tents. Private scattering of ashes at a later date. Survived by wife, Veronica “Tootsie” Awai of Portland; sons, Charleston (Davonne) Awai Jr. of Keaau and Moses “Keala” (Christie) Awai of Paauilo; daughters, Melissa (James) Palakiko of Hilo, Summer (Isaac) Apodaca-Awai of Portland and Devin (John) Forrester of Mountain View; brothers, William “Kalei” Hopeau and Douglas (Isabella) Awai of Hilo, Charles (Claudia) Awai of Waimanalo, Oahu, Wayne (Kathy) Awai of Waikoloa and Collins (Caridad) Awai of Portland; sister, Jenny K. Silva of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Mari Bumatay and Janice Bumatay of Hilo; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Veronica Capillian Bruno, 85, of Kapaau died June 9 at Kohala Hospital. Born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was an egg processor for Big Island Poultry Co., planter for the former Kohala Sugar Co., busser at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and member of Kohala Senior Citizens group, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Kohala Filipina Club. Services held. Survived by son, Nelson (Alexandria) Bruno of Hawi; daughters, Rosemary Bumbard of Tuscola, Texas, and Susan (Brian) Matsu of Kapaau; stepson, Roger (Brenda) Jose of Washington; stedaughters, Evelyn (Jarrett) Owens and Jean (Ronald) Murphy of Washington; brothers-in-law, Seferino Lamot of California and Ernesto Bruno of Kapaau; sisters-in-law, Marcelina Domingo and Hilaria Anacleto, both of Oahu; 6 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Paul Phillip Flynt, 51, of Portland, Ore, died June 18 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in California, he was a social worker and lifetime honorary member of the Alano Club. Services at a later date. Survived by mother, Lori Lee Seward; stepfather, Roger W. Seward; brother, Andrew Richard Flynt; sister, Hope (Paul) DeLaney; a nephew; two godchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Ruth B.K. “Girlie” Lee, 90, of Hilo died June 5 in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, she enjoyed fishing, archery, gardening, and crafts and was a member of Hawaii Island Archery Club and Kaumana Alenaio Kumiai. Private services held. Survived by sons, Brian Lee and Owen Lee; daughters, Stacy (Hiram) Pajo, Verna Bays and Ruby (Donn) Hakoda; brother, Irving Patrick Dang; sister, Sydney Yuen; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Noel Kiyoshi Machida, 69, of Pahoa died June 4 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Ookala, he was owner and general contractor of NKM Contracting and member of 645 Mixed Bowling League. Private services held. Survived by wife, Joycelyn Machida of Pahoa; son, Matthew Machida of Las Vegas; daughter, Keri (Brandon) Victorino of Hilo; brothers, Cal Machida of Honolulu and Greg Kobayashi of Hilo; sisters, Sue (Wil) Murakami of Kona and Donna (Tim Nolan) Harris of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Randal (Catherine Sugioka) Soga of Hilo; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
The Rev. Ronald Yoshikazu Saito, 92, of Hilo, died June 16 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Fukui, Japan, he was resident minister at various Honpa Hongwanji Mission temples across the state. Private services at a later date. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Mitsuyo Saito of Hilo; daughter, Elna (Steve McCleister) Saito of Santa Barbara, Calif.; sons, Bert (Dr. Ruth Ohata) Saito of Hilo, Kurt Saito of Tokyo; sister, Keiko (Lloyd) Tubbs of Townley, Ala.; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.