Valerie S. Kailiwai Derasin, 41, of Keaau, died March 24 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Barrow, Alaska, she was a cashier for K’s Drive In. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Friday (May 10) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at the Alae Cemetery. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by husband, Radford Derasin of Keaau; brothers, Nathaniel Morry of North Dakota, Larry (Evelyn) Morry of Alaska and Isaac Kailiwai of Hilo; sister, Ewa (B.J.) Kailiwai of Hilo; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kekoa Gentry, 45, of Hilo died May 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was born in Hilo. Celebration of life at a later date. Survived by mother, Diane Anderson of Hilo; father, Gary Gentry of Puna; sisters, Elan (Alexander S.C. Rower) Gentry of Manhattan, N.Y., and Marlena (William G.) Giraldo of Brooklyn, N.Y.; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michiko “Michi” Ikeda, 99, of Hilo died May 1 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was retired from the county, active in volunteer work and a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Private services at a later date. Survived by nieces, Dr. Koren (Dr. Ronald Takata) Ikeda of Dana Point, Calif., and Ruby (Tim Kern) Ishikuro Kern of Fallbrook, Calif.; two grandnephews and a grandniece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Anthony “Sonny” Vincent Phillips Jr., 85, of Waimea died April 27 at home. Born in Waikii, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Environmental Response Inc., worked on the Alaska Pipeline in the 70s, U.S. Army veteran, board member of Waimea Nui Community Development Corp. and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Waimea 1st Ward. Service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Waimea Chapel. Survived by wife, Noelani W. Phillips; children, Victor (Rachel) Kukahiwa, Anthony V. Phillips III, Vanessa (Edith) Phillips, Michaela K. (Keegan) Phillips, Duane V. (April) Phillips, Kanila K. Tripp, Kaleihulumamo K. (Dan) Heid, Kamaile K. (Jason) Harris and Kahealani (Kekoa) Phillips; sisters, Grace Inamine and Barbara Robertson; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sandra “Sandi” Lee Malan Tajon, 83, Pepeekeo died April 24 at home. Born in Ogden, Utah, she was a genealogist and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honomu Ward. Visitation 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, at LDS Ponahawai Chapel, 522 Ponahawai St. in Hilo. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial noon at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by daughter, Marsi Mailelauliʻi (Henani) Enos of Kurtistown; sons, Jared Kamakaokeahi (Jaime) Tajon of Maui, Nathan Alakaʻinokeahi (Sheri) Tajon of Pepeekeo and Ben Keahiokealohanui Tajon of Umauma; brother, Michael Carl (Beverly) Malan of Idaho; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild; three nieces, five nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Herbert “Yoko” Kazuma Yokoyama, 85, of Hilo died March 24 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired manager of the former Holsum/Oroweat store in Hilo and member of Aloha Golf Club. Visitation 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 3 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Josephine “Jo” Yokoyama of Hilo; daughters, Lynn Marie (Dean Cabatbat) Yokoyama and Lyles Ann Yokoyama, Cyd Therese (Jason) Agena of Waikele; sisters, June Inouye of Honolulu, May (James) Nojiri and Ellen Gray of Hilo; brother-in-law, Benjamin Mamhot of Hilo; sister-in-law, Bonnie Aceret of Hilo; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
