DR. RALPH N. AKAMINE
November 2, 2011

Dr. Ralph N. Akamine, 89, of Honolulu, a retired oral surgeon and Army veteran, died at St. Francis Hospice in Nuuanu. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He is survived by daughters Louise L., Linda C., and Lauren Chan (Peter) Estern; sisters Jessie Y. Varble and Marion M.; brother Richard G.; and granddaughter Thomasina. Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012, Diamond Head Mortuary Chapel, 535 – 18th Ave. Service celebrating life and expressing appreciation: 11 a.m. Inurnment: Punchbowl June 8, 2012, 11:30 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

KEUR, E. FERNE

Age 94 of Arden Hills, MN. died Dec. 26, 2011. Preceded in death by beloved husband Cornelius. Survived by her children Donnie(Connie) Keur of Minneapolis, Cathy (Darryl) Peterson, Coon Rapids MN; grandchildren Jason, Michelle and Christine Peterson; sister-in-law Margot Keur Pueblo, CO. Memorial service Sat. Jan. 14, @ 11AM at Salem Covenant church, 2655 5th St NW New Brighton, MN. Thurston-Lindberg funeral home 763 421 0220.

CAROLYN C. CHOY

Wife, mother, school teacher, musician, craftswoman, and lifelong learner, Carolyn Choy, a resident of Honolulu for all of her ninety-nine years, passed away 6 November 2011. The wife of Robert H.C. Choy, she is survived by four children, Roberta Nakamura, Ronald Choy, Willis Choy, and Jon Choy; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. A graduate of Mun Lun School, McKinley High School, and University of Hawaii, she taught in Honolulu public elementary and intermediate schools for twenty-five years. She was a member of Yang Chung Hui Sorority and the Associated Chinese University Women. A celebration of her life will be held at Community Church of Honolulu on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, starting at 10:30 am.

PHOEBE FAVILLE ELLETT

She looked like Barbara Stanwyck but acted more like Celeste Holm. Her singing voice was a little like Ella Fitzgerald. Phoebe Ellett, 91, formerly of Honolulu, died on New Year’s Day in Williamsburg, VA.

A cocktail party will be held in her honor on Saturday, January 14 from 4:30-6:30. Please contact her daughter, Libby Tomar, at 284-4787 or tomarlaw@gmail.com.

FLORITA “FLORI” G. TUGAOEN

Age 86, of Waipahu, Hawaii, passed away December 12, 2011 in Ewa Beach. Born September 9, 1925 in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Retired from Rattan Creations Furniture Store, Honolulu.

She is survived by husband, Alfonso Flojo Tugaoen; sons, Ernesto (Ofelia) Tugaoen, Rodrigo (Erlinda) Tugaoen; daughters, Elisa (Felipe) Dela Cruz, Emma Dela Cruz, Maria (Ricky) Grigg; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grand-children; 3 great-great-grand-children; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Visitation 10:00 a.m. Thursday (January 12) at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel; FMC: 10:00 a.m. Funeral Svc. 11:00 a.m. Burial 12:30 p.m. at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual Attire. No flowers, please.

DIANA IWALANI HAMOCON PAEKUKUI (MRS. P)
01-29-1940 to 12-28-2011

She is survived by husband, John; son, Michael; daughters, Nadine Paekukui, Fayth Paekukui; hanai son, Juan Montalbano; brothers, Lawrence Jr. (Barbara), Lloyd (Karen), Mark Hamocon; sisters, Lorraine Lienert (Barry), Barbara Jean Kalopodes (Chris), Susan Hamocon; step-mother, Margaret Hamocon; grandchildren, Melia Ann Paekukui, Hopena Paekukui, Kamahina Paekukui-Jackson.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Sat., January 14, 2012 at St. Ann’s Church Kaneohe, Visitation 10:00 am, Mass at noon. Aloha Attire.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.

DR. RALPH N. AKAMINE
November 2, 2011

Dr. Ralph N. Akamine, 89, of Honolulu, a retired oral surgeon and Army veteran, died at St. Francis Hospice in Nuuanu. He was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He is survived by daughters Louise L., Linda C., and Lauren Chan (Peter) Estern; sisters Jessie Y. Varble and Marion M.; brother Richard G.; and granddaughter Thomasina. Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012, Diamond Head Mortuary Chapel, 535 – 18th Ave. Service celebrating life and expressing appreciation: 11 a.m. Inurnment: Punchbowl June 8, 2012, 11:30 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

VALERIE IDA (BRANDON) MEE-LEE

Valerie, aged 70 years, a resident of Honolulu since 1976, passed away on December 26, 2011. She will be remembered as a loving and dedicated wife, devoted mother and grandmother, caring adult and child psychiatrist, highly active church leader and community volunteer, and consummate friend.

Valerie was born in Sydney, Australia on February 3, 1941 to William and Edna Brandon. She had an older brother Kevin, also a physician, (deceased 1970) and has a younger brother Geoffrey who resides in Sydney. Valerie attended University of Sydney where she completed her medical degree. She met and married her husband of almost 43 years while they were residents in a clinical rotation in Townsville, Australia. Valerie and Denis married in 1969 and immigrated to the United States in the same year. Valerie and Denis lived in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, before settling in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Valerie was a member of the Honolulu Japanese Seventh-Day Adventist Church where she served as an elder, member of the Board, homeless services coordinator, and Pathfinder leader. She mentored many young people and dedicated herself to worthy environmental and humanitarian causes such as the Sierra Club, Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise, Asian Aid, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and others.

Valerie is survived by her husband of 42 years, Denis, brother, Geoffrey Brandon, daughter Lavonda (Beau) Nakamoto, sons Denis B. (Evan) and Matthew (Bebe), and grandchildren Hunter, Dillon, Brandon and Cole.

The Memorial Service will be held on Thursday January 12, 2012 at 6pm at the Honolulu Japanese Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2655 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the “Valerie Ida (Brandon) Mee-Lee Joyous Giving Fund” care of Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904, or via ADRA.org.

ARIEN RUTH BRAACK GRABBE

Arien Ruth Braack Grabbe died at the age of 90 on December 11th, 2011 in the Hi’Iolani Care Center of Kahala Nui in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her long and eventful life, Arien gave much of herself to family, friends and the community.
Born on March 7th, 1921 in Almond, New York, to Peter C. and Nelle Ethel (nÈe Brown) Braack, Arien was the second of four daughters. The family lived many years in Nutley, NJ. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, her babysitting earnings were often used to buy groceries. While money was scare, family life was rich, with music playing on the hand wound Victrola, and conversation animating the dinner table. After finishing high school, she took classes at the Julliard School of Music and played the flute in the Nutley Symphony Orchestra.
In 1942 she married Eugene Munter Grabbe of Johnstown, PA. During their 37 years of happy marriage they raised three daughters and a son while living in New Jersey, Southern California, Europe and Hawaii. While Gene worked as a systems engineer for Hughes Aircraft and later TRW, Arien balanced family responsibilities with volunteer service to the PTA, the League of Women Voters, the World Affairs Council and the Fair Housing Council.
The whole family enjoyed getting away for weekends and summer vacations at a family owned beach house in Baja California — fishing, building sand fortresses, swimming and enjoying the sunset with tequila and a beer chaser (adults only). Another highlight of her life was a two year stay in Paris and London with the whole family. In Paris Arien studied French; in London she volunteered as a secretary for the Friends Service Council. She wrote colorful letters to family in the USA, describing the challenges and rewards of life abroad with four children.
By the early 1970′s Arien and Gene lived in Honolulu. Beginning in 1972, she began work as a secretary at the Salvation Army Alcoholism Treatment Facility. She was later employed at Queen’s Medical Center, the Hawaii Psychiatric Association and Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health. She suffered the loss of her life partner in 1980, when Gene died suddenly at the age of 67.
After this major life change Arien worked seven more years until her retirement in 1987. In her newfound free time, she explored many interests, travelling widely, actively supporting liberal causes and local classical music groups, waking up the turtles while snorkeling with friends on early Friday mornings at Haunama Bay, volunteering as receptionist for her beloved Hawaii Public Radio, and generously opening her home on Maunalani Heights to family and friends. Her main regret was not sharing these joys with Gene.
Arien is survived by daughters Willow Follett (Mark) of Bainbridge Island, WA; Linda Louise Grabbe (Terry Chorba) of Atlanta, GA; Anne Elizabeth “Beth” Johnstone (Art) of Portland, OR and John Peter Grabbe of Walpole, MA. She also leaves seven grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the Hi’Olani Care Center 4th floor nursing staff, Bristol Hospice, Ellen Morales and Lenie Salvania for giving Arien excellent end of life care. Frequent visits from longtime friends also enhanced her quality of life during the last eight months.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in the Diamond Head Room at Kahala Nui Retirement community, 4389 Malia Street, Honolulu. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to Hawaii Public Radio (738 Kaheka Street, Honolulu, HI 96814-3726 and http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org) or Community Advance Practice Nurses Clinic, a service for homeless women and children (173 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312 and http://www.capn.org).

EDDIE BULL SILVA
August 25, 2011

Eddie was born in Kalihi Valley, 2nd gen roofer, USMC Korean War Vet, softball player/coach, Ed’s Roofing for 3 decades. He is survived by his wife, Sonia, 5 children, Eddie & Jennifer, Wayde & Suzette, Sandie, Philo, Jolyn & Dave. 8 grandchildren, 5 gr-grandchildren. Memorial Service @ Lady of the Mount, Kalihi on Jan 14, 2012 @ 10 am.

Dec. 27, 2011
Yoshio Yamashita, 85, of Kahului, a McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co. wharf clerk, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. He was born in Wailuku. He is survived by son Craig; daughters Naomi Yamashiro and Marsha Yamashita; sisters Florence Hashimura, Caroline Kiyotoki and Betsy Kagawa; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation: 3:30 p.m. Friday at Kahului Union Church. Services: 4 p.m. Burial: 9 a.m. Saturday at Maui Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Dec. 30, 2011
James Chia Fang Wang, 85, of Hilo, a political science professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo   and a former employee at the United Nations in New York and Punahou School and the East-West Center in Honolulu, died in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Nanling County, Anhui Province, China. He is survived by wife Sarah “Sally,” son Eric K., daughter Sarah O. and three grandchildren. Celebration of life: 3 p.m. Jan. 28 at Dodo Mortuary. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to University of Hawaii Foundation (designated for the University of Hawaii at Hilo), P.O. Box 11270, Honolulu, HI 96828-0270, or Alzheimer’s Association, Aloha Chapter, 1055 Kinoole St., Suite 103, Hilo, HI 96720.

Dec. 31, 2011
Mareta Afuola Tupua, 68, of Ewa Beach died in Wahiawa General Hospital. She was born in Vatia, American Samoa. She is survived by sons Ami L., Lafoaina Jr. and Tony L. Masaniai; daughter Monalisa; brothers Silau and Peteru Sauilemau, Fetalaiga Vaifanua Jr., Reupena Sau, and Siaosi, the Rev. Saipele and Kapiolani Faiaipa’u; sisters Nia Tagaloa, Mareta I. Tavale, Senerita Sua and Sivaito’i Vaita; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Visitation: 9 a.m. Friday at Schofield Barracks Chapel. Services: 10 a.m. Burial at noon at Schofield Barracks Post Cemetery. Reception: 1 p.m. at Nehelani Conference and Banquet Center, Schofield Barracks.

Jan. 1, 2012
Eva Gomes Tegge, 78, of Kula, Maui, died in Kula Hospital. She was born in Waihee, Maui. She is survived by sons Damien Cabral and Gus Tegge, daughters Marian Andaya and Theresa Morales, sister Jane Mendes, 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Maui Veterans Cemetery, Makawao. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Dec. 22, 2011
Alysandra Naomi “Sandy” Sunahara, 65, of Waimea, Hawaii, a craft coordinator at Ben Franklin-Ace Hardware in Waimea, died at home. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Lance, daughter Melody, brothers Patrick and Ryan Fukuki, sisters Coreen Fujikawa and Sherryle Heafner, and a grandchild. Visitation: 4 p.m. Friday at Kamuela Hongwanji Mission. Services: 5 p.m. Casual attire.

Dec. 22, 2011
Manuel Louis Soares Jr., 93, of Honolulu died in the Queen’s Medical Center. He was born on Kauai. He is survived by sons Ronald and Robert, daughter Laverne Skinner, nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Services at noon. Burial: 1:30 p.m. at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Dec. 31, 2011
Doreen Peart Smith, 82, of Pukalani, Maui, a retired Sun Bank mortgage service manager, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is survived by sons Randy, Bob and Greg Peart; daughter Fran P. Mitsumura; brothers Robert, Hughie and David Morrison; sister Arlene Devereaux; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Dec. 24, 2011
Bernice Shizuko Shibano, 88, a Department of Education teacher, died at home. She was born in Paia, Maui. She is survived by sons Thomas T. and Ryan T., daughter Linda T., sister Esther M. Sato and four grandchildren. Private services.

Dec. 29, 2011
Catalina L. “Alli” Sales, 95, of Keaau, Hawaii, a retired field worker at Koi Tomato and Soriano Macadamia Nut Farm, died in Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She is survived by sons Primitivo, Esteban and Inocencio; daughters Consuelo Duque, Eufrocina Nicolas, Cristina Martinez and Elena Quila; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren. Visitation: 5 p.m. Friday at Dodo Mortuary. Services: 6 p.m. Additional visitation: 8 a.m. Saturday at Puna Covenant Church, Keaau. Services: 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire.

Dec. 30, 2011
Gladys Young Hu Perry, also known as “Tutu” and “Lin Oe,” 83, of Kahului, a Kaanapali Beach Hotel housekeeping department retiree, died at home. She was born in Keanae, Maui. She is survived by son Frank M. Jr.; daughters Teri Cruz, Laura “Lani” Perry and Leinaala “Ala” Maynard; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Services: 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow. Burial: 1:30 p.m. at Maui Veterans Cemetery. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Dec. 26, 2011
Arnell Nohealani O’Brien, 45, of Honolulu, a Costco employee, died in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Leland K. O’Brien-Schubert, daughter Kalena A. Kauhi, parents Arnold L. and Karen, brother Arnold L. Jr., sister Shawna N. and four grandchildren. Visitation: 5 p.m. Friday at St. Augustine Church, Waikiki. Services: 6 p.m. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire. No flowers.

Jan. 2, 2012
Beverly Kennedy “Bev” Murray, 84, of Honolulu, a retired First Insurance Co. of Hawaii executive secretary, died in Honolulu. She was born in Syracuse, N.Y. She is survived by husband Dr. William, son James, daughter Pamela, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation: 9:30 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Services: 10:15 a.m. Committal services: 11 a.m. at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Aloha attire. Online condolences: www.borthwickoahu.com.

Dec. 4, 2011
Shizuko K. Mukai, 78, of Kahului died in Kahului Hale Makua. She was born in Yokohama, Japan. She is survived by son Clifford, stepsons Patrick and Glenn, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Services: 10:30 a.m. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Dec. 25, 2011
Alice Andrade Moses, 79, of Pahala, Hawaii, a retired Kau High School custodian, died in Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Pahala. She is survived by sons John Jr. and Glenn; brothers Ronald, Walter, Clarence, Gilbert and Dennis Andrade; sisters Elsie Moses, Rachel Johansen, Diane Lumanlan and Rhonda Andrade; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation: 5 p.m. Friday at Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Services: 7 p.m. Additional visitation: 8 a.m. Saturday at the church. Mass: 10 a.m. Burial to follow at the church cemetery. Casual attire.

Dec. 26, 2011
The Rev. Sione Maumalanga, 94, of Kihei, Maui, a pastor at Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, died at home. He was born in Tonga. He is survived by sons Sione P. and Kamaloni; daughters Ana Malafu, Mele Tuipulote, Utoileti Finau, Vailele Tatofi, Kalolaine Hukehuke and Teuila Vainikolo; brother Manatu; 48 grandchildren; 176 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Visitation: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ala Lani Methodist Church, Kahului. Services: 7 p.m. Additional visitation: 7 a.m. Thursday at the church. Services: 9 a.m. Burial: 2 p.m. at Maui Memorial Park.

Dec. 24, 2011
Norman Kaeo Kulani Kiko, 65, of Waimanalo, a city Parks and Recreation supervisor, died at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Elaine “Nette”; sons Norman K.K. “Moku” Jr. and Nolan J.K.; daughters Tammy Moniz, Noe Paiva and Shana Kiko; mother Mary Rodrigues; brothers Frank Kiko Jr., Steven Kiko Sr. and William Rodrigues; sisters Beverly Victorine, Maxine Turk and Thelma Silva; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. George Catholic Church. Mass: 1 p.m. Cremation to follow. Scattering of ashes: 10 a.m. next Sunday at Kaiona Beach Park boat ramp. Casual attire.

Dec. 25, 2011
Jiro Ikemori, 94, of Kahului, a Makawao Meat Market proprietor, Frito-Lay distributor and retired Maui High School head custodian, died in Hale Makua Kahului. He was born in Puunene, Maui. He is survived by sons Kenneth, Roy, Ben and Wilfred; daughter Marilyn Kubota; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Private services.

Jan. 3, 2012
Normand Edward Hess, 88, of Lahaina, a retired Lahaina Chart House custodian, died at home. He was born in Peoria, Ill. He is survived by wife Clara M., sons Randall and Jonathan, brother Richard and sister Caroline Henderson. Celebration of life: 6 p.m. Friday at Lahaina Civic Center. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Jan. 3, 2012
Kazuo Hasegawa, 76, of Kahului, a retired auto mechanic, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. He was born in Paia, Maui. He is survived by daughters Lori Carillo and Caryan Hao; brothers George, Kenneth, Paul and Elroy; sisters Jane Kishaba and Jessie Fragiao; companion Consuelo “Connie” Edquiban; and three grandchildren. Visitation: 5 p.m. Thursday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Services: 6:30 p.m. Cremation to follow. Private inurnment. Casual attire. No flowers. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

Dec. 28, 2011
Fely Pacleb Galinato, 64, of Wailuku, a retired Renaissance Resort Hotel housekeeper, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She is survived by son Wilmer; daughters Andrea Morris, Cora Chagas, and Cathy, Jocelyn and Ailene Galinato; brothers Fredo and Arnolfo Pacleb; and 11 grandchildren. Visitation: 6 p.m Thursday at Christ the King Catholic Church. Mass: 7:30 p.m. Remains to be shipped to the Philippines at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.