Obituaries

Duane Michael Puaoi Dawson

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

With grace, Duane “Uncle Duane” Michael Puaoi Dawson left this earth on Sunday May 2, 2021. He was brought into this world by his mother, Juana Hernandez, in Panama January 22, 1956.

Duane was adopted, raised and nurtured by William and Carol Dawson of Killeen, Texas till the age of 18. His brothers are Dean (Jo Ann), Dymon, Danny (deceased) and Dion (Kathy). Duane was hanai by Severino and Corazon Behic of Wahiawa and their children Gwen (Tony), Joe (Elenore), Francis (Laverne), Severino (Maggie), Rex and Marc (Maria). He graduated from Leilehua High School (class of ’74). Duane’s greatest treasures were his wife, Elizabeth Pualani, their children, Duane (Jade), Dayton Kaimikaua, Loraine Lei Ilimalani (Bronson) and David Kaena, and loved by seven grandchildren.…

Elizabeth Puaoi Dawson

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

The epitome of hookipa and aloha, Pua or Juju Puaoi Dawson opened her heart and her hale to so many. A Hawaiian culture enthusiast, Pua was a paddler, farmer, teacher, kiai of cultural sites, lomilomi practitioner and akamai with laau lapaau. Blessing and helping ohana and community were her passions on Molokai and in Waimanalo.

She was born on June 18, 1956 to parents John Benjamin Puaoi Sr. and Loraine Puanani Kaimikaua in Honolulu, where she graduated from Kailua High School with the class of 1974.

Juju drifted to heaven on March 19, 2020 in Koolaupoko, Oahu, peacefully joining her parents, sister Kalei and all her angels.…

Eliza Haunani Ignacio

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Eliza Haunani Ignacio passed away on Jan. 7, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 53.

She was born on June 12, 1967 to Richard and Kanani Negrillo in Molokai. She is survived by her husband Nathan Ignacio; sons Nahe Ignacio (Pilahi) and Brandon Ignacio (Diamond); daughter Rory Torres-Umi (Jireh); brothers Richard Negrillo Jr (Rhonda), Nelson Negrillo (Sidney) and Tony Negrillo; sisters Noella Negrillo, the late Bernadette Puhi (Keawe), Lynette Dudoit (Dukie), Roberta Delos Reyes (Lester); and 12 grandchildren.

Liza was a loving wife, a proud mother and an awesome grandma. She embodied a loving and caring spirit, someone her family looked up to and could rely on.…

Suzanne O’Connell

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

Aloha to Suzanne O’Connell, Molokai’s Rock Star Realtor for over 30 years. Suzanne was 80 and passed very peacefully on Feb. 25, 2021 at 7:17 p.m. Her family, including son Joseph, daughter Pam, granddaughter Sammy and cousin Mickey came to see her often at Queens Hospital on Oahu in the last few days of her time on Earth.

The family will plan a celebration of life at Wavecrest Resort later this year, hopefully. We will keep you posted.

Suzanne is survived by a son and daughter, two step sons, nine grand children, one great granddaughter and cousin Mickey O’Connell. The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at Wavecrest, as well as others, that helped Suzanne the last few years.…

Glory-Ann Kehaulani Kaili

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

Glory-Ann Kehaulani Kaili was born on July 10, 1954 to the late Edmund Unea Lima, Sr. and Barbara Jean Pua Mersberg and went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 22, 2021. She is survived by her ex-husband Edward Kaili, her loving children Camey Kaina of Maui, Esther-Jean “Kēhau” (Kimo) Orlando, and Jerome (Teri-Lee) Kaili of Molokai; grandchildren Sydney, Ainsley, Shekinah, Kilakila, Nakoa, Kamehana, and Kia`i; great grandchildren Kanoa, Kala`i, and Talyn; siblings Edmund “Boy” (llima) Lima, Barbara (Blue) Poepoe, Vashti Lima, Deedee (Herman) Coelho and Minnie (Dino) Lima; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life visitation will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Kingʻs Molokai.…

Melva “Tutu” Meyer Naki

Saturday, March 6th, 2021

Beloved kupuna Melva “Tutu” Meyer Naki, age 88, of Molokai, Hawaii, passed peacefully in slumber Jan. 5, 2021 on Molokai, Hawaii. She was born Sept. 24, 1932 on Molokai. A 1950 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, she worked for a number of companies on Molokai and Oahu. She was a woman of family and faith, and will be most remembered as “Tutu” to all the keiki she cared for when living on Oahu.

Melva was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin Naki; children Benjamin Naki Jr., Roxanne French, and James Wailana Naki; and mother Hannah J. Meyer. Melva is survived by her grandchildren Janeen (Winston) Naki-Woodard, Benjamin (Kehaulani) Naki III, Marvin (Pumehana) French, Melva Patty (Theoichy) Wengu, Henry (Chelsea) French, Scott (Bert) French, Starlena Naki-Lima, James (Shaydine) Naki-Lima, Isaac Naki-Lima, Starr Naki-Staudinger; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.…

Puanani Janet Kazuko “Kachan” Kawano

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Puanani Janet Kazuko “Kachan” Kawano, 83, of Kaunakakai, Molokai died on Dec. 21, 2020. Kachan passed away in the comfort of her home with her family by her side, under the care of Navian Molokai. Kachan was born to the late Agnes and Harry Kawano on April 3, 1937 in Kaunakakai.

Preceding her death was her brothers William “Willie” Kawano, the late Councilman Patrick Kawano (Puanani), and Richard “Dao” Kawano. She had one hanai daughter, Rietta Kaupu Tollefsen (Harry), one grandson, Reese Kaupu Tollefsen and one granddaughter, Ella-Janee Kaupu Tollefsen. She is survived by her brother Nelson “Aki” Kawano (Marlene), sister-in-law Caroline “Carol” Benedito Kawano, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.…

Lawrence “Dada” Reyes

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Lawrence “Dada” Reyes, 79, of Kalae, Molokai, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 at home surrounded by his family. Dada was born on Oct. 14, 1941 to Carlos and Christita Reyes. He grew up in Maunaloa, went to Maunaloa Elementary School and graduated in 1959 from Molokai High School. Dada attended trade school on Maui, then returned to Molokai and worked for Libby, McNeil and Libby in Maunaloa. When the plantation closed, he opened his own business “Dada’s Body and Fender Shop,” in business for over 40 years.

His fondest memories and fun times were going to Las Vegas, playing baseball, and getting together with family and friends.…

Karleen U’ilani Van Winkle Meyers

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Karleen U’ilani Van Winkle Meyers was born on Oct. 16, 1953 (a twin) in Ho’olehua, Molokai. She passed away in her sleep on Jan. 13, 2021. She was predeceased by mother and father Elizabeth K. Wilson Van Winkle and Jarrett Van Winkle, and sister Kathleen U. Imamura. She is survived by sisters identical twin Karla U. Puerto, Kolleen Naipo, Kayla Teriipaia and Kollett Noga; brothers Bruce, Farrett and Darrett Van Winkle; and friends Lino Nolasco and Terry Salazar.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.…

James “Kimo” Ioane Paleka, Sr.

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

James “Kimo” Ioane Paleka, Sr., one of Molokai’s well known musicians, passed away on Jan. 11, 2021 at the age of 73. He was born on April 10, 1947 to Herbert and Elizabeth “Haahaa” Paleka, Sr. of Ho’olehua. He was a graduate of Molokai High School and at a very young age learned to sing and play guitar with his mom. While working for Hawaiian Airlines for many years, he would spend his evening with his mom and best friend Waipa Purdy serenading guests at the former Sheraton Hotel. Guests loved requesting favorite songs and in response to their request, Waipa, grandma, and dad would leave the stage, walk to the guests table and welcome them with their music and Molokai’s aloha.…