Richard Ho‘okahi Akao, 76, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 15 at Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired Hawaiian Airlines agent and a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Services held. Condolences: P.O. Box 6004, Kamuela, HI 96743. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Diana Lynn Akao of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Shannon (Herbie) Ako of Kailua-Kona and Desirée Daughtry of Waikoloa; brother, Wayne Akao of Las Vegas; sister, Cynthia Akao, of Kealakekua; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild; an aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Mabel Ilima Kaua, 87, of Hilo died Feb. 8. Born in Kohala, she worked in Coordinated Services for the county and was a member of Pillar of the Church of the Living God. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 8, at Ballard Family Mortuary Chapel. Service at 11 a.m. Survived by sons, Guy (Marvi) Ching and Delbert “Pee-Wee” Ching Jr.; daughter, Cheryl-Ann Ching; stepchildren, Joey (Peggy) Kaua, Shane Kaua, John (Caroline) Kaua, Merle (Sidney) Liborio and Tammy Kaua; brother, Emil Bader; sisters Anna Sugata and Karleen Spaulding; two grandchildren, 16 step-grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Mary Luella Schultz, 76, of Mountain View died Marcg 14, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Portland, Ore., she was an office manager for Fern Acres Community Association, co-owner for nearly 20 years of Rainbow Acres Farm, a hydroponic lettuce farm and business, and avid gardener. Celebration of life noon on Thursday, May 2. Contact Hank or Kim for more details. Survived by husband, Hank Schultz of Mountain View; daughter, Kim Krell of Mountain View; brother, Jim Reese of Spokane, Wash.; two grandsons and a great-grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Howard “Smitty” Perkins Smith Jr., 82, of Hilo died Feb. 13 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in East Orange, N.J., he was a retired electronics technician for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Navy veteran, deacon and member of Kaumana Drive Baptist Church and member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Kaumana Drive Baptist Church, 388 Kaumana Dr. Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Graveside urn committal service 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Beverly Smith; children, Tonya (Frank) Hardin Santos, Allen (Lenora) Smith, Tracy A. Hardin, Toni (Eric) Clark, Tina Hardin and Howard (Gwendolyn) Smith III; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.