Agnes Crivello, 89, of Hilo died Dec. 15 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou. Private family blessing 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Visitation 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Flowers and lei welcome; face masks and social distancing required. Survived by spouse, Milton Crivello of Hilo; daughter, Marilyn (Antonio) Prietto of Waimea; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gilbert G. De Motta, 89, of Hilo died Dec. 20 at home. He was involved in the tourist industry, International Longshore and Warehouse Union and affordable elder housing development in the county and state, and was a U.S. Army and Army Reserve veteran. Former Mayor Harry Kim declared Nov. 20, 2019, Gilbert De Motta Day in Hawaii County. Private services. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by wife, Hannah De Motta; children, Dr. Howard (Lyn) De Motta of Mililani, Oahu, Gayle (Kenneth) Higa of Wainaku and Wesly (Selena) De Motta of Pepeekeoy; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
May Emiko Hirano, 90, of Honolulu died Oct. 27 at Maunalani Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, she was retired from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. Private funeral services and inurnment at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) were held. Survived by three children, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a sister and brother, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Hosoi Garden Mortuary in Honolulu.
Wendell Ka‘ahukane Leite Sr., 93, of Hilo died Oct. 14 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolii, he was a former vice president at Hilo Transportation and Terminal, trombonist with the Hawaii County Band for over 70 years, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Young Men’s Institute (YMI) Francis Council No. 573, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and recipient of awards including the “Key to the City” from former Mayor Billy Kenoi. Private services held. The Hawaii County Band will hold a concert in his memory at noon Saturday (Jan. 15) at Mooheau Park Bandstand. Seating is limited; face masks and social distancing required. Survived by son, Wendell (Susan) K. Leite Jr. of Naperville, Ill.; daughter, Harvelee (Casimir) H. Leite-Ah Yo of Hilo; sisters, Ululani (Francis) Lum of Kailua, Oahu and Patricia Cardus of Seattle; brother-in-law, Lester “Sonny” (Napua Ho’okano) Matsushima of Hanamaulu, Kauai; sisters-in-law, Joyce “Lani” Sasaki and Linda “Penny” (Ellsworth) Antonio of Hanamaulu; five grandchildren and a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Makoto Otani, 83, of Hilo died Jan. 1 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a former chief steward for American Hawaii Cruises, former assistant food and beverage manager at the former Naniloa Hotel and numerous Waikiki hotels and a U.S. Army veteran. Private services. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by hanai son, Tyler Wells of Colorado; hanai daughter, Raven Wells of California; brother, Noriaki (Fujie) Otani of Hilo; sister, Lorraine Matsu of Hilo; brother-in-law, Itsuo Kitamura of Hilo; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joanne Nalani Tamala, 74, of Hilo died Nov. 20 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and a member of Glad Tidings Church and its Women’s Ministry. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 15) at Glad Tidings Church in Hilo. Celebration of life at 11 a.m. Casual attire; face masks and social distancing required. Survived by husband, Tad Tamala of Hilo; children, Jason Ishii of Waimea, Mark (Paula) Ishii and Dawn Ishii of Hilo, Royden (Vanessa) Ishii of Waimea, Preston Tamala of Washington; siblings, Beverly Gonsalves of Hilo, Winona (Mike) Hooser of Waikoloa, Joel Ravey of Honolulu, Ipo (Pancho) Carvalho of Kohala and sister, Annette (Giles) Nakamoto of Hilo; grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.