Obituaries

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.  …

Jonelle “Sweetie” Huelani Kaaihue

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Jonelle “Sweetie” Huelani Kaaihue, 61, of Honolulu and formerly of Ho’olehua, Molokai died on Aug. 23, at her residence in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu and was a certified substance abuse counselor. 

She is survived by her brother Joseph P. Kaaihue Jr. and sister Jolene L. Apostol, both of Ho’olehua, Molokai, nieces Laila K. Siaris of Ewa Beach, Oahu and Amber L. Apostol of Honolulu.  

Friends may pay their respects on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary-East Chapel in Honolulu at 10:30 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Services pending on the island of Molokai.…

Celedonia Gomes

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Our beloved mom, Celedonia, known also as Sally or Cele, Gomes, left us peacefully while at home with us to be with our Lord on Aug. 17. 

Born on Mar. 3, 1932, she was known to many as Auntie or Nana Sally among our Maunaloa Pineapple Plantation ohana, her church family of Kaunakakai Baptist Church and her fellow workers and customers of her many jobs and services on Molokai – the longest being a clerk at Atlas Bldg. Supplies. Her smile and loving personality will be greatly missed. 

She is survived by her children Junedale Ed Misaki, Sydney Lei Gomes, Narda Lino Lollis, Joel “Joey” Corina Gomes, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. …

Sheila Loretta Polena Awai

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Sheila Loretta Polena Awai, a cherished kupuna, passed victoriously at age 86. Aunty Sheila exemplified her belief of unconditionally loving her Molokai island community. She was a beloved preschool teacher, an advocate towards foster care, education, mental health, and sexual and drug abuse services. She dedicated her life to God and was a faithful member of the Molokai Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 

Our mom passed away peacefully with God’s grace on July 3, 2023, at her home in Kalamaula, Molokai, surrounded by her ‘ohana. She was born on Feb. 26, 1937, in Kalihi, Oahu. She is survived by her four children Candace W.…

Thadd R. Camara

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Aloha e ka ʻohana a me nā hoa aloha o Molokaʻi a ma ʻō aku o ka pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi a puni ka hōnua. We, the children of Thadd R. Camara share with you some of his words of aloha…

“My spirit lives in everyone that knows who I was and who I still am — Thadd R. Camara, Mr. Aloha — and if it wasn’t for Molokai I could never ever be Thadd R. Camara, the person I became to be…So for every sunset there will always be a new beginning. So my Molokai family, enjoy every beginning you are blessed with I waiting for you on the other side….Please…

Nancy Shizuko Yamagata Unemori

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Nancy Shizuko Yamagata Unemori of Kaunakakai, Molokai was born on August 29, 1924 in Kapaa, Kauai, the eldest of 7 children. She passed peacefully on June 4, 2023.

She married Hisashi “Fats” Unemori (deceased), and moved to Molokai in 1958. Together they had 5 children. Alison (Warren) Yasuda, Kevin (Lynne) Unemori, Jeffrey Unemori (deceased), Kathleen (Rod) Wong and Scott Unemori (deceased). She also has six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was a member of the Molokai UE club. Nancy supported her husband’s activities with the Molokai Lions Club along with many other local programs. As a dancer of Na Kupuna O Moana she made many new friends, traveled to different places and enjoyed her fun performances, never imagining the joy she would experience being on stage!…

Mahalo for Outpouring of Aloha

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

On behalf of Cisilia Defang, we would like to thank all those who prayed, donated and supported her.

Born deaf, Cisilia did not let her disability be an obstacle in her daily life. She is a hard-working, determined, loving young woman. We know with her strength, big heart, and the Lord by her side she will pull through and come home. Cisilia is currently receiving medical treatment and at this time, and we ask for your continued prayer. We are truly blessed and can feel the outpouring aloha from everyone.

Mahalo

The George Defang Ohana…

Evelyn Mokiao Naeole

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

Our beloved mom, Evelyn Mokiao Naeole, was born on May 12, 1928 and left us to be with the Lord on June 20, 2023. Known to some as “Baby Amu” or the “Limu Ele’ele Lady,” she was born to Ah Chew and Francis Yam Mokiao. Mom married our father, Rudolph Akana Naeole, deceased, on March 18, 1950. They had five children Yvonne (Stan) Grance, Carol (Frank) Catian, Mathew (Rudolph, Junior) Naeole, deceased, Brian (Debra Ann) Naeole and Cori (Valerie) Jacobs (Eric “Dutchie” Bush), deceased. She passes on her cooking skills legacy to her 15 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.…

Conrad Areola Ruiz

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Conrad Areola Ruiz, 80, of Kualapuu, Molokai, Hawaii passed away on May 26, 2023 in Aurora, Colorado. He was born in Rimos #4, Luna LaUnion, Philippines and was a farmer. He is survived by his wife Maria Ruiz; daughter Maybelinda (Grant); granddaughters Darianne, Denichel and Holly; great-granddaughter Raelyann; and siblings Jovencio (Victoria), Orlino (Evelyn), Randy (Elma) and Arthur (Ofelia). 

Services will be held on Oahu at Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary Visitation on Friday, July 14, 2023 with visitation from 5 to 6 p.m., and service at 6 p.m. Shipping out to the Philippines for a second service and burial to follow in Luna Memorial Park in Luna, LaUnion, Philippines.…