Martie Buchanan, 80, of Hilo died March 26 at home. She was a volunteer at Hawaii Care Choices, gallery greeter at East Hawaii Cultural Center, friend of Bill W.’s and member of the Mohouli Community. No flowers. Memorial donations to Hawaii Care Choices. Survived by daughter, Tiare Giardina; son-in-law, Lawrence Giardina; brother, Bill Buchanan; a grandson.
Avelina Paa Castaneda, 88, of Pahala died March 21 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was a retired macadamia nut harvester, Ka‘u coffee farmer, involved in Hawaii Island Farmer’s Market and member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pahala. Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Pahala Church Cemetery. Survived by children, Romy Castaneda, Leonardo (Jackie) Castaneda and Joseph (Mariel) Castaneda of Pahala, Teodora Castaneda of Spain; hanai son, Virgilio Guirit of Spain; hanai daughter, Brenda (Roberto) Martin of Pahala; brother, Aurelio (Wendy) Paa of New Jersey; sister, Juliana Fillon of California; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Janet Lum Won, 76, of Kailua-Kona died Dec. 21, 2023, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, she retired as senior vice president of Title Guaranty. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Lanakila Congregational Church in Kainaliu. Celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Survived by sons, Corey Lum Won of Hanapepe, Kauai, and Brandon Lum Won of Kona; sisters, Nancy Kieft of Maryland and Suzanne Ruryk of Florida; a grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elizabeth “Betty” Miller, 92, of Hilo, formerly of Hakalau, died March 14 at Island Care Home. Born in Hilo, she worked for Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co., Waiakea Villas and as a cafeteria worker at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Glad Tidings Church, 116 Kapiolani St. in Hilo. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by hanai sister, Toshiko “Frances” (Albert) Cardrino; son, Gilbert (Jennifer Allen) Manikis; daughters, Patty Lee (Patrick) DeSilva and Jasanda (Herbert Jr.) Laranang; son-in-law, Joseph Pavao; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard Ventura Ramelb, 50, of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of the Big Island, died March 5 at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. Born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class, Army National Guard veteran and Waiakea High School graduate. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Survived by wife, Angel Johnson Ramelb of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sons, Jordan (Ariel Abuan) Ramelb and Keoni (Krystal) Johnson of Las Vegas, Kanela Ramelb of Arizona; daughters, Anela Ramelb and Aryanna Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; father, Reynaldo Ramelb of Lihue, Kauai; mother, Carlina Ventura of Hawaiian Paradise Park; brothers, Jesse (Hazel) Ramelb of Orchidland and Renn (Chelsea) Ramelb of HPP; two grandchildren; uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hiram “Duna” Kaliponi Simeona Jr., 58, of Waimea died March 18 in Waimea. Born in Honolulu, he was a firefighter. Memorial Services 9 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Pua Ka Ilima surf park. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by spouse, Jodi Sylva; mother, Leone Leong of Kaneohe, Oahu; daughters No‘eau Bailie Simeona of Waimea and Emma Humphreys of Los Angeles; sister, Lugene Simeona of Kaneohe; brother, Wyatt Simeona of Washington. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
George Shizuo Yoshida, 80, of Kealakekua died March 25 at home. Born in Pepeekeo, he was the owner of Rainbow Insurance Agency. Services at a later date. Survived by sons, Ladric Yoshida and Landon Yoshida of Honolulu; sister, Miyoko Yoshida of Kealakekua; brother, Ronald (Kimberly) Yoshida of Pearl City, Oahu; a granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
