Obituaries

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.…

Bruce Duffy

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Bruce Duffy was born on April 6, 1948. He passed away at home with his wife Diane was by his side on Nov. 3, 2020.

Bruce was a Licensed General Contractor for almost 30 years, he loved what he did and took pride in his work. The projects that he was most proud of were the Molokai Ice House, the Waialua Pavil-ion, the Women’s Shelter, and taking part in moving the Hina statue to her resting space. Bruce built many homes on Molokai and he put his whole heart into all of them.

Bruce is survived by his wife Diane, son Keoni and daughter Ana, two beautiful grandsons, Johnny and James.…

Flora Cabaccang Agulan

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Flora Cabaccang Agulan was born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines in 1937. She worked hard to support her family at a young age buying and selling until she married the late Hilario “Ariong” Agulan arriving on Molokai, Hawaii in 1971. Her journey began working in the pineapple industry for Del Monte (CPC) and a weekend job doing yard maintenance for “Pepe” Cooke and the McCarthy family, tagging along the kids to teach the values of hard work. After her husband’s passing in 1983, she worked for various fruit and plant nurseries and continued her buy and sell endeavors.

In 1988, she established the Kualapu’u Launderette and was better known as “Nana.”…

Dorothy Leimomi Kong

Thursday, November 5th, 2020

Dorothy Leimomi Kong went to be with the Lord on Oct. 23, 2020. She was born on Sept. 7, 1938 on the island of Oahu to John Kekoa Kalamau and Dorothy Wong. She is survived by her children Luana K. Kamai (Charles) Wanda Kong, William Billy Kong, Shawn Seri (George) Alan Kong (Mili) Cheryl Kong; 11 grandchildren Sean Alan Kamai, Shaynna Ann Seri Sheldeen Kamai, Kekoa, Ameron, Anna Nicole Madela, Moana, Maunalani, Ekolu (Cowboy) Maile Manintin, Alanna Kong Kalamau; 28 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Dorothy has now joined her husband, Soloman Aloan Kong, who is with the Lord.…

Henry William Kawailani Kanawaliwali

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020

On Sept. 11, 2020 our Lord decided it was time for Henry William Kawailani Kanawaliwali to return to him. Henry is survived by his wife Velma Momilani Kanawaliwali; his children, Henry N Kanawaliwali, Erin M Bentley, Lawrence K Kanawaliwali, and Kayla H K Urban; 10 grandchildren, Gaela Joi, JanVier, Eli, Jasmine, William, Jahsiah, Kaohele, Alyah, Kalapana and Maile; three sisters Helen O’Connor, Joyce Dillon and Eden Castillo; one brother, Newton Kanawaliwali; and many nieces and nephews.

Henry was raised in Ho’olehua, Molokai. Growing up he learned farming, fishing (diving) and hunting. Raised down in Mo’omomi, his favorite place on Molokai, he became a great fisherman/diver.…

Gladys “Cookie” Brown

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

Gladys “Cookie” Brown was born in Lahaina, Maui on June 4, 1926, the youngest of 10 siblings. She graduated from Lahainaluna High School in 1944 and was active in many leadership roles while she was there. One close friend and classmate described her as a “really smart girl.” She spent a year teaching in Missoula, Montana, followed closely by some time teaching in Waimanalo on Oahu.

She moved to Molokai and continued her teaching career on the East end of the island. Throughout the years, she had stints at different schools on the island, including the no longer existent Holomua School.…