Gwen Eloise “Lisa” Cortez Kaneshiro, 79, of Hot Springs, S.D., formerly of Hilo, died March 11 in Hot Springs, S.D.. Born in Greybill, Wyo., she was a retired teacher who taught at Hilo Union and Waimea Elementary Schools worked for the American Lung Association and the former Hospice of Hilo, U.S. Army veteran and partner of Tribune-Herald photographer William Ing. Survived by son, Evans (Holly Albers) Flammond Sr. of Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.; sisters, Francis Cortez (Jim Carton) Stokes of Hot Springs, S.D., and Anita (Jonathan Holden) Cortez of Manhattan, Kan.
Charles Thomas Kawamoto, 79, of Pahoa died Jan. 30 at a care home in Hilo. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired manager for the former Pahoa Cash and Carry, proprietor of Pahoa Radio Control Hobbies, Wholesale Trophies Unlimited and Paintball Performance Equipment, and U.S. Army and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran, past president of Hui ‘O Puna Jaycees, state archery champion, go kart racer and member of Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 16-492 Old Volcano Rd. in Keaau. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Grace Kawamoto; sons, Ryan (Liane Tamashiro) Kawamoto, Cody (Collette Chinen) Kawamoto and Cole Kawamoto; sister, Linda (Wilfred Jr.) Keola. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dorothy Figueroa Kondo, 98, of Hawi died March 6 in Kapaau. Born in Holualoa, she was a homemaker. Visitatation 10-11 a.m. Wednesday (March 20) at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo Chapel in Hilo. Service at 11 a.m. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, Allan (Leialoha) Kondo of Las Vegas and Gilbert (Loretta) Bigtas of Kapaau; 13 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Susie Kaleimomi Martines, 80, of Kailua-Kona died March 8 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kaauhuhu Homestead, Kohala, she was a retired switchboard operator at the old Kona Inn, public school cafeteria cook and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kona 1st Ward. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kona Hawaii Stake Center. Funeral service 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Julian Martines of Kailua-Kona; sons, Julian J. (Stepheanne) Martines of Kailua-Kona and Kyle Kalani Martines of St. Paul, Minn.; daughter, Suzette Wainani (Monty) Vea of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Emily Dewitt of Hawi, Kuulei Marquart of Lincoln, Neb., and Kanani Mills of Pahrump, Nev.; eight grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lillian Hali‘imaile Medeiros, 87, of Honaunau died in Holualoa. Born in Kealakekua, she was a cook at the Manago Hotel Restaurant and member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Services 9 a.m. May 4 at St. Benedict’s (Painted) Church. Lunch to follow. Survived by sons, Clifford (Jadelyn) Medeiros and Gary Medeiros of Kona; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Mendonsa Sr., 86, of Hilo died Feb. 18 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the former Hawaiian Tel and a U.S. Army veteran. Private services held. Survived by son, David John (Jessica Blank-Mendonsa) Mendonsa Jr. of Maui; daughter, Tanya Lyn (Thomas Jr.) Hickcox of Hilo; sisters, Priscilla Chung of Oahu, Lorraine (Joe) Veincent and Joann Loa of Hilo; sister-in-law, Lorraine Mendonca of Hilo; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard “Dado” Katsuya Shiigi, 92, of Hilo died Feb. 26 at home. Born in Pahoa, he was retired from the former Hawaiian Equipment and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Craig (Adele) Shiigi of Hilo; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.