Masako Fujii, 91, of Honokaa died Oct. 8 at home. Born in Haina, she was a retired postal clerk for Honokaa Post Office and member of Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Buddhist Women’s Association. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Jason (Gemma) Fujii of Honokaa; daughter, Kay (Dean) Tanaka of Hilo; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Arthur Scott Leithead, 72, of Hilo died Oct. 26 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired attorney, former county housing director, former University of Hawaii Board of Regents member, graduate of Hilo High School, UH-Manoa and William S. Richardson School of Law, and author of “Hilo, Hawaii: Its Origins and the Pattern of its Growth”, Thesis, UH-Manoa 1974, which is still used by researchers and is often cited in histories of Hilo. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Monday (Nov. 15) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial services at 6 p.m. Private urn committal services at a later date. Limited seating; face masks and social distancing required. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Yvonne Leithead of Hilo; son, Jonathan Leithead of Las Vegas; daughters, Erica Paik (Chris) Honda of Hilo and Lisa Canete (Kawika) Hughes of Mililani, Oahu; sister, Bobby Jean Leithead (Steve) Todd of Hilo; brother, Leslie (Pat) Leithead of Michigan; seven grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jesse Bruce McBraun, 51, of Keaau died Nov. 1 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a music lyricist, lover of music and known for his infectious smile and outgoing personality. Private services. Survived by father, Jay S. Letuli, also known as Henry S. McBraun of Keaau; mother, Judith E. Medeiros of Greenwood, Ark.; brothers, Patrick J. McBraun Sr., of Oahu, James R. Letuli and Jacob T. Letuli of Hilo; sisters, Michelle R.A. McBraun of Mountain View and Rose L. Letuli of Hilo; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Manuel B. Niere, 72, of Waimea died Oct. 9 at home. Born in the Philippines, he was a general cleaner for HCC at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. Visitation 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Honokaa. Mass to follow. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughters, Fannie Nitura and Edita Neri of Waimea; sons-in-law, Robert Nitura of Waimea and Rolando Ian Claridades of the Philippines; three grandchildren.Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Albert “Beans” L. Pavao, 92, of Hilo died Sept. 21 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a supervisor for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co., heavy equipment operator for the former Hilo Sugar Mill, U.S. Army World War II veteran and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Puuwai Opio senior softball team. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday (Nov. 15) at St. Joseph Catholic Church.Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 pavilion. Seating limited; masks and social distancing required. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Larry (Jocelynn) Pavao, Jerry (Rosalinda) Pavao and Gary Pavao; brothers, Dennis (Angelita) Pavao and Pat (Eileen) Pavao; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patrick Masami Urabe, 75, of Hilo, formerly of Buena Park, Calif., died Oct. 29 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Lihue, Kauai, he was retired from Boeing and a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran. Private service on Kauai at a later date. Survived by brothers, Harold Urabe, Steven (Sheryl) Urabe and Francis Urabe; sister-in-law, Vivien Urabe; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
