Longtime UH-Hilo theater sound tech dies in accident
A motorcycle crash July 15 in Colorado sent shock waves back to the Big Island.
Obituaries for July 25
Hisako Hirai, 92, of Kealakekua died June 24 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Shizuoka, Japan, she was a clerk for Ben Franklin Store, server at Kona Tei and Kazan restaurants, worked for Japanese tour companies, participated in a senior bowling league and line dancing, and enjoyed yarn crafting. Private services. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, George (Kathy) Hirai of Ewa Beach, Oahu, Tommy (Sharon) Hirai of Hilo and Jeffrey (Lacey) Hirai of Captain Cook; daughter, Linda Hirai of Kealakekua; brother-in-law, Richard (Ruth) Hirai of Kaneohe, Oahu; seven grandchildren; great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for July 24
Setsuko Higuchi Isa, 93, of Hilo died May 13 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, she was retired from Honsador Lumber in Kapolei, Oahu, worked for City Mill in Honolulu and was a member of Hui Okinawa. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sons, Russell Isa of Hilo and Darryl (Mary) Isa of Kohala; sisters, Chizuru Sugawara and Carole Yano of Hilo; sister-in-law, Amy Higuchi of Hilo; brothers-in-law, Yoshiharu Mikami of Hilo and Richard (Leilani) Isa of Honolulu; a grandson; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hilo’s Youth Challenge Academy becomes Job Challenge Academy
With the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy moving to Kalaeloa on Oahu, the former Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo will become the Hawaii Job Challenge Academy-Hilo.
Kai ‘Ehitu wins fourth regatta of 2024
HILO — Kai ‘Ehitu Canoe Club concluded the island’s paddling regatta regular season with its fourth victory of 2024 in the Aunty Maile/Moko O Hawai‘i Championship on Saturday in Hilo Bay. The event was sponsored by Hoemana Canoe Club.
Obituaries for July 23
Theresa “Vovo” “Gma” “Grams” Bernetta Oliveira Goodman, 84, of Hilo died June 27 at home. Born in Hilo, she drove school buses for Laupahoehoe Transportation Company and Roberts Hawaii and worked for 7-11, the former JC Penney, Chevron/Texaco and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council school lunch delivery. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Monday (July 29) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by sons, John (Virginia) Goodman and Scott (Alicia) Goodman of Hilo, Emery (Tanya) Goodman of Tennessee; daughter, Catherine (Dane Flores) Goodman of Hilo; eight grandchildren, and 14 great- grandchildren; hanai great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Your Views for July 23
The case of the missing pocketknife
Let’s Talk Food: American influences in South Korea
Ihave written about how the Portuguese traders had such an influence in Japan, introducing bread and frying which then created manju or anpan, (“pan” comes from the Portuguese word for bread), breaded katsu and tempura. All these adopted foods became very important in Japanese cuisine. Last week I wrote about how the Chinese, Indians, Arabs and the Dutch influenced the foods of Indonesia.
STEM Aerospace Research Scholars program returns
High school girls immersed themselves in the vast world of science, technology, engineering and math last week during the eighth STARS program.
Obituaries for July 22
Debra Johnson, 67 of Hawaii Island died July 10. No known family. Survivors are asked to call Hilo Benioff Medical Center at (808) 932-3500, option 4.
Volcano Watch: Measuring volcanic gases: The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Measurement of volcanic gases is critical for both public safety and understanding volcanic activity — and everything we measure relies on the wind.
Your Views for July 21
Trump ‘is a waste of perfectly good oxygen’
Obituaries for July 21
Lee Ann Ashimine, 68, of Kohala died June 30 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Kohala, she was a retired operations manager for Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union. Visitation 2-3 pm, blessing and eulogy 3-3:30 pm and fellowship to follow Saturday (July 27) at Michael and Lee Ann’s home 55-3235 Akoni Pule Hwy. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Michael Ashimine of Kohala; daughters Hulali (Jerry) Kahaikupuna of Kohala and Kawehi (Joshua) Castillo of California; mother, Madeline Gonsalves of Kohala; sister, Lanette Yamamoto of Kohala; brothers, Anthony (Renee) Gonsalves of Kohala and Neal (Shaurin) Gonsalves of Honokaa; four grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ed Olson dies at 93
Edmund “Ed” Olson, Big Island businessman and philanthropist, died Monday afternoon at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was 93.
Tropical Gardening: East meets West in Hawaii gardens
In Hawaii, China and Japan, rock and water are used to add interest to the garden. The stone water basins that usually stand outside the teahouses are an example of rock and water used on a small scale. Participants in the tea ceremony first wash their hands and at the same time, symbolically wash away the stain of the noisy and confused outside world. In almost any garden and for whatever reason, the gentle sound and sight of water dripping over cool stones is refreshing.
Planning director: Bill could slow down permitting process
Requests for zoning changes could become more complicated under a proposed Hawaii County bill, warned the county’s top planning official.
Runnin’ with Rani: 6th annual Hilo Hill Climb
HILO — The Hawaii Cycling Club hosted its 6th Annual Hilo Hill Climb Training Time Trial on Saturday, July 6, marking yet another successful race on its calendar of events as 15 dedicated cyclists conquered the grueling 12-mile and newly introduced 26.3-mile challenges.
Obituaries for July 18
Mina Cascayan Alabab, 99, of Mountain View died June 1 at home. Born on Kauai, she was a retired vegetable farmer. Visitation 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday (July 24) at Mililani Mortuary Makai Chapel. Funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by daughters, Priscilla Gaces of Maui, Gloria (Jack) Magann of Waialua, Oahu, Edna (Nestor) Rabago of Mililani, Oahu, Delia (Robert) Villanueva of Fremont, Calif., Nely (Jeff) Boyd of North Carolina, Fely Applegate of Maui, Marlene Berger of Mountain View, Cheryl Alabab and Althea (McCoy Smith) Alabab of Portland, Ore.; son, Tony Alabab of Henderson, Nev.; 21 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Your Views for July 18
Concerns about non-native bees
Obituaries for July 17
Douglas Dal Edens, 81, of Hawi died July 2 at home. Born in Sacramento, Calif., he was a retired gardening specialist for California State University-Sacramento home surrounded by family. A retired gardening specialist from CSU Sacramento, he spent his retirement in Hawaii gardening, was a California Master Mason, member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, Eagle Scout, Community Emergency Response Team and neighborhood watch organizer. No services. Burial in family plot in Roseville, Calif. Survived by daughter, Tiffany (Timothy) DeEtte Shafto. Arrangements by Dodo Mortary.
