Patience Keahonui Brown, 80, of Hilo died Dec. 23. Born in Hilo, she was a retired custodian for C&W Maintenance. Drive through service 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 at Ballard Family Mortuary. Please wear face mask during viewing. Survived by husband, Samson L. Brown Sr. of Hilo; sons, William (Kanoe) Brown of Hilo, Bruce (Mary) Brown of Honolulu, Brian (Deanna) Brown and Samson L. Brown Jr. of Hilo; daughters, Ramona Brown and Cindy (Robert Smith) Brown of Hilo; brother, Eric (Dianne) Kela of California, sister-in-law Patsy Brown; hanai son George K. Lewis of Hilo; hanai daughter Mililani Kela of Hilo; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grand children Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Tsumako “Pat” Hatami, 95, of Hilo died Dec. 27 at a private care home. Born in Kealakekua, she was a homemaker and avid bowler. Private services held. Survived by daughters, Karen Chaves and Susan Miyaji of Hilo; sisters-in-law, Setsuko Matsuoka and Rinko Matsuoka of Kona, Shirley Matsuoka of Georgia, Kikue Matsuoka of Los Angeles, Jean Hatami-Kogasaka and Marian (Ernest) Nagamine of Hilo; brother-in-law, Wendell (Janice) Hatami of Hilo; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Edward Sullivan, 76, of Pahoa died Dec. 26 at home. Born in North Tonawanda, N.Y., he was a senior systems analyst and communication specialist consulting for numerous corporations and government agencies, woodworker, cook, earned an electrical enginnering degree from State University of New York-Buffalo, and worked on a program that helped researchers reverse the low survival rate of childhood leukemia. Private services held. Survived by wife, Mary-Frances Sullivan of Pahoa; daughters, Larisa (Trey Villanueva) Sullivan of Washington and Mouse (Harry) Durgin of Hawaii Island; hanai daughter, Zeitha Jalamala Murphy of Queensland, Australia; sons, F. Page (Eileen) Steinhardt of upstate New York, William (Payne Chassen) Steinhardt of upper Michigan and Philip (Katherine Seznec) Rentz of New Hampshire; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and hanai children and grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alexander “Alex” Watai, 76, of Kainaliu died Jan. 15 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hilo, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Kona Country Club and paddler and founding member of Kai E Hitu Canoe Club. Services to be announced at a later date. Survived by daughters, Rory (Gerald) Kim of Kainaliu and Rusty (Allen) Brock of Pennsylvania; brother, Lawrence (Thelma) Watai of California; sister, Carol Sakata of Holualoa; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.