Obituaries

Gladys Asako Watanabe

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Gladys Watanabe, 88 of Kaunakakai, Molokai, passed away Sept. 10, 2023. She was born in Wailuku, Maui on June 12, 1935 to Kenichi and Kazue Mabe. She retired as a teacher from Kualapuʻu Elementary School. 

Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Mitsuo. She is survived by her children: son Derek Watanabe (Dung), daughters Terri Jorgensen, Wanda Okemura (Darryl) and Sheri Yamashita (Bruce), five granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and one great- grandson. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Roselani Place, Hale Makua and Hospice Maui. 

Private graveside service will be at Maui Memorial Park, Friday, Nov. 3, at 12:30 p.m. …

Thomas DeCourcy

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Thomas “Tom” DeCourcy, 80, of Molokai, Hawaii passed away on July 23 in Lebanon, New Hampshire surrounded by his family. Tom was born to Ed and Alice DeCourcy in New Haven, Connecticut in 1943. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Andrea, daughters Leilani and Malia (Bradley) Sakamoto, grandsons, Maximus, Magnus, and Merek, and sister Jane (Stephen) Wong. 

Visitation will be on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. with services to begin at 9:45 a.m. at St. Damien Catholic Church. There will be a celebration of life lunch to follow at One Ali’i Park.…

Helen Joao Apana

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

Helen Joao Apana, 97, passed away peacefully at her home in Kapaakea, Molokai, on Oct. 4.  She was born Nov. 9, 1925 in Kualapuu, Molokai.

Helen was preceded in death by husband Donald Wah Bung Lau Apana, parents Raymond Francis Joao Sr. and Gussie Maikani Iaea Joao, maternal grandparents Reverend Isaac Daniel Iaea and Hannah Keahi Pakamia Iaea, and paternal grandparents Manuel Farinha Joao and Julia Correa Joao. She was the last survivor of her seven siblings and last surviving grandchild of Manuel and Julia. 

She is survived by her five daughters – Linda Reyes Napoleon, Beverly Mapuana Apana, Abegale Kilani  (William) Akutagawa, Dawn Aloma  (Ken) Nakayama and Nola Haunani (Daniel) Reilly, 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.…

Joseph Kumauna Ah Fu Chong

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

Joseph Kumauna Ah Fu Chong, 81, passed away Aug. 18, at home in Waimea, Hawaii with his family by his side. 

Brother Joe as he was lovingly called was born Feb. 5, 1942, in Kalamaula, Hawaii to George Kuala’au and Sarah (Kahawai) Chong.   

He attended school on Molokai and graduated from Molokai High School in 1960.  He married Gertrenda Irene Hall on Sept. 11, 1971.  Joe loved Trenda dearly for 52 years. He always enjoyed her vegetarian cooking and was so thankful for the time she devoted to taking care of him.   

Joe was a talented and creative carpenter. He built homes, tree houses, aquaponic gardens and so much more. …

Howard Michael Ahina Jr.

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Howard Michael Ahina Jr. passed away on June 24 at the age of 53. He was the oldest of three siblings born to the late Howard and Shareen Ahina. Howard grew up in Ho’olehua on Pu’ukapele Avenue. He attended Kamehameha Kapalana for three years before returning to Molokai High School where he graduated in 1987. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served his country for two years. 

On April 12,1991, Howard welcomed the birth of his daughter, Leilani. His second daughter, Hiilani, was born two years later, on March 30,1993. Howard excitedly welcomed the birth of his only son, Isaiah, on June 23, 2003.…

Artice May Swingle

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Artice ‘Artie’ May Swingle suffered a heart attack and passed away in the loving arms of her husband of 50 years, John Wordin, at their home in Kalae. EMS reestablished a heart rhythm and transferred Artie to Queens on life support, discontinued on Aug. 31. She was 84 years old.

Artie is survived by husband John, sons Richard and Daniel Burke, and nephews Mark, Steven, and Neil Haynes.

Artie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1960, a Master’s in Special Education in 1961, was a certified Child and Family Counselor and Special Education Teacher for many years in Idaho and Hawaii.…

Caroline Bicoy

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

Caroline Bicoy, 73, of Ho’olehua, Molokai, passed away on Aug. 29. She was born on July 21,1950 in Honolulu. 

Caroline graduated from Radford High School. She relocated to Molokai with her predeceased husband, the love of her life, Gerald Bicoy in the late 1970s. Caroline is predeceased by her parents Catalino Monderen, Miriam Monderen and Mary Rodrigues. She is also predeceased by her brother, Andrew Monderen. Caroline is survived by two brothers, Bernard (Mozel) Monderen of Makakilo and Shawn Murdoch of Honolulu and her two sisters, Debbie Rodrigues of Kahului and Frances (Richie) Young of Lihue. She is also survived by her three children, Cheryl (Daniel) Sterner of Ho’olehua, Kezia (Daniel) Asao of Wailuku and Matthew Bicoy of Ho’olehua.…

Lucy Leonilda Kealoha Whiting

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

Age 83, Lucy Leonilda Kealoha Whiting passed away on Sept. 12, in Arvada, Colorado. Born May 18, 1940, Lucy attended Roosevelt High School, Class of 1958. She was employed by the National Park Service in Kalaupapa on Molokai. After 20 years she retired and moved “topside” with her late husband Albert Pu where they had a Hawaiian Home Lands lot. After many weeks of clearing the land by hand, they built a beautiful home with stunning panoramic views of the west side of Molokai. They were very proud of that home.

She is survived by her sister Bernice Blalock, daughters Nadine Benton (Randy), Wendy White (Larry), Harrilyn-Lena Hindle (Mark) and son Harry Galdeira, Jr.…

John K Nakahara

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

John K Nakahara, 72, of Molokai died Friday, Aug. 18 on Oahu. Molokai High Class of 69’ graduate and an honorable discharge from the US Navy, John was never married and had no children. John is the son of John KK Waipa Sr. (predeceased), Dorothy L Pa (predeceased) and David K Pa III (predeceased). His siblings are Joan P. Yamashiro (predeceased), Maureen Fredrickson, Johnette Kaai, Bill PaGrimes, John Waipa, Thomas Waipa (predeceased), Davelynn Han, Davidette Pa-Kala, George Nakahara, Randy Aurio, Guy Aurio, Mel Aurio, Charlene Nakahara, and Alison Kupau. Memorial services will be held at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery Friday, Sept.…

Suette Kaoru Tollefsen

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Suette Kaoru Tollefsen, age 73 of Waialua, Molokai, died on Aug. 29. Suette passed away in the comfort of her home with her family by her side, under the care of Hospice Maui. Suette was born to the late Harry and Aiko Panui on Sept. 19, 1949 in Lihue, Kauai. Preceding her death was her sister Jayde Nakihei and brother Tyson Panui. She is survived by husband Stephen Tollefsen, son Harry Tollefsen (Rietta), daughters Elizabeth “Liz” Coleman (Mike), Michelle Hiro (Raymond), Sybil Kapahulehua (Russell) and Stephanie “Panui” Tollefsen, brother Lambert Panui, sisters Elgie Spears (Dave), Adele and Fern Panui, as well as nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  …