Darin Lee Bence, 52, of Kailua-Kona died March 15 in Kailua-Kona. Born in Pennsylvania, he was a certified nursing assistant for Kona Community Hospital. Private services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by partner, Terrence Santos; two cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Sherri Lynn Fernandez, 69, of Mountain View died March 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a waitress and caregiver. Private family services at a later date. Survived by son, Kaipo Fernandez of Mountain View; daughter, Jamie (James) Lash of Wilsonville, Ore.; mother, Marie Payne of Keaau; brothers, Tommy (Brenda) Carson of Volcano, John (Carol) Carson of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Scott (Caroline) Carson of Kaloko; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Andrea “Ann” Gamayo Mejia, 65, of Kurtistown died March 14 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired Hawaii Police Department detective, the county’s first woman patrol officer, a 2009 honoree of the YWCA Hawaii Island’s Remarkable People, former background screening coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Keaau. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Tuesday (April 9) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Eulogy at 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Phillip Mejia of Kurtistown; daughters, Ashley-Ann (Kona Bright) Mejia and Cathy Mejia of Kurtistown; brother, Melton (Terry) Gamayo of Kurtistown; sisters, Helen (Peet) Nelson and Dolly (Jerry) Veloria of Keaau, Arlene Aranita of Pearl City, Oahu, Teresa (Melvin) Gapol of Keaau, Selene (Sam) DeSilva of Hilo; brother-in-law, Herman Cullio Jr. of Keaau; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts, an uncle and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harue Onuki Katsura, 99, of Hilo, formerly of Oahu, died March 3 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Yokohama, Japan, she was a seamstress on Oahu and retail worker in Waikiki. Private services held at Hale Anuenue. Survived by nieces, Jean (Terrance) Nago and Patsy (Alan) Iwasaki of Hilo; grandnieces, grandnephews and a great-grandniece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rodney Kaliko Keaweehu-Kaehuaea, 35, of Hilo died March 16 at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Care Center on Oahu. Born in Honolulu, he was a production manager in the music industry and member of local bands including One Rhythm, The Steppas and Maoli. Visitation 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday (April 7) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services at 10 a.m. Cremation to followed. Casual attire. Survived by daughters, Kaile-Ann “Kai” Keaweehu and Ky-Mani Rose Keaweehu of Hilo; hanai daughter, Chelsey-Ann Kalua of Honolulu; hanai sons, Dominic Williams and Atapana Keaweehu of Hilo; parents, Rodney and Sarah-Ann Keaweehu of Hilo; sisters, Luika (Pono) Kane and Kaunaoa (Kalton) Punahele of Honolulu, Anela (Wendell) Kalua of Hilo; brother, Noah (Angela) Keaweehu of Hilo; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Harriet Leilani Willis, 77, of Hilo, formerly of Honolulu, died March 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Kohala, she was a cook for the former Waimanu Grill and cashier for the former Sida Cabs. Service at 9 a.m. Monday (April 8) at Ballard Family Mortuary. Visitation at 10 a.m. Burial at 1 p.m. at Homelani Memorial Park. Survived by spouse, Sefo Leafi Satele; daughters, Marshelle (Tony) Willis, Jody-Ann (Francis) Camacho, Alanette Moananu and Allison (Angel) Matos; brothers, Edward (Charlene) Kema and Charles (Cynthia) Kema of Honolulu; sisters, Sheila (Jim Nicholson) Enos of Honolulu, Donna (Jesse) Anthony of Kentucky and Veronica Kema of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Gladys Kema of Honolulu; nine grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
