Obituaries

Rachel Kaleiokalani Keffer

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

We rejoice through our sadness as we announce the passing of Rachel Kaleiokalani Keffer (Calunod) on April 29, 2023. Youngest of four siblings, Rachel and her twin Raquel were born on June 3, 1971 to Peter and Shirley Calunod. Throughout Rachel’s grueling battle with colon cancer, she lived every day with unwavering faith. In the end, Rachel received the ultimate healing as she was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven in the warm embrace of God and the love of her life, Albert Napahi Dizon III.

Rachel is survived by her mother Shirley, older sister Yvette Erece, older brother Peter Jr, and twin sister Raquel Cabalar.…

Robert Goro Uemura

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Robert Goro Uemura, age 99, of Kualapu’u, Molokai, HI, passed away at home on Feb. 21, 2023.  He was born on Aug. 16, 1923 in Waialua, Oahu.  He was a U.S. Army WWII veteran of the 442nd RCT, Headquarters Company.  

He is survived by wife, Pearl M. Uemura; and sons Alan, Carl, and Tracy.  

A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Ho’olehua, Molokai on June 17, 2023 at 2 p.m.  Army honor guard and inurnment will take place at Punchbowl Cemetary of the Pacific, in Honolulu on June 22, 2023 at 2 p.m.  Casual attire, no flowers please.…

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp, age 66, passed peacefully on May 18, 2023 on Molokai, Hawaii surrounded by family and friends.  Karen was born on Jan. 25, 1957 in Ft. Worth, Texas and grew up in the greater Houston, Texas area. She graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science (1979) and a master’s degree in political science (1987). Her career in journalism and public relations included positions as a reporter and education editor for the Waco Tribune-Herald, as communications director for the Woman’s Missionary Union, and as the director of governmental relations at Baylor University.

Karen became an ordained minister at the Church of Illumination in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. …

Marie Mariye Yamashita

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Marie Mariye Yamashita, 102, of Kaunakakai, passed peacefully with family on the morning of March 30, 2023. She was born on Nov. 5, 1920 to Mariano Araullo and Kikuye Tanemura. 

Marie is survived by her son Bruce Yamashita; and grandchildren Lisa, Lori, Jon, Winston, Nelson, Todd, Matt and Tami. 

Marie was born and raised in Waikiki where her mother immigrated to from Kumamoto, Japan in 1918. After graduating from University of Hawaii at Manoa, she moved to Kilohana, Molokai in 1943. She met and married Henry Yamashita in 1944 and welcomed his two sons Raymond and Kenji. Marie and Henry welcomed their son Bruce, born in 1947.…

Paul Jiro Yeda

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Paul Jiro Yeda, age 88, passed peacefully in his Wailua home on April 4, 2023. He was better known as “Uncle Paul” to much of his family, friends and caregivers.

Uncle Paul was born on Oct. 6, 1934 in Kamalo, Molokai to Shujim and Tsuru Yeda. He is survived by brothers Walter (Nellie) and Albert (Nancy) and predeceased by siblings Ruth (Fujiichi Nakata), Joe (Kikue), Rose (McKenna), Doris (Socho Nishihira), and Barbara (Jules Dudoit). 

Uncle Paul attended Kilohana Elementary before moving to Kailua, Oahu, where he raised swine and worked at a service station. He was later recruited into the Army and after serving in the military, Uncle Paul joined the local union 675 as a pipefitter where he spent most of his life until retiring.…

Peter Dean Gonzalez

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Peter Dean Gonzalez, 66, of Kaunakakai, Molokai, died at home on March 18, 2023. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He is survived by his wife Valerie; sons Neil (Emily) and Guy; daughters Cherie Gonzalez (Nathanael) and Lian Chong- Kalima (Joseph); father Jose H. Gonzalez; brother Jose S. Gonzalez (Arlene); and nine grandchildren.

Peter enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was once an active CB operator as well as a HAM radio operator. He was also an advocate for mental health.

Services will be held on May 13, 2023 at Molokai Church of God in Kalamaula across from Coconut Grove. Family from 8 to 9 a.m.,…

Byron Kaleonohea Bush

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

Byron Kaleonohea Bush, 61 years old, passed away on March 15, 2023. He was born on April 25, 1960, to Koa and Ochie (Pelekai) Bush in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

Survivors include his mother, Ochie Bush; and siblings, Shane (Stefani) Bush, Kevin (Carolyn) Bush and Axel (Tracey) Bush. He is preceded in death by his Father, Koa Bush; and brothers Eric Dutchie Bush, Leiff Bush Sr, and Gerald Ne.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kaunakakai, Molokai. The family will receive friends and family from 9 to 10:30 a.m.…

John “Bobo” Nicholas Perez Ill

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

John “Bobo” Nicholas Perez III, 76, of Ho’olehua, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 in Kamuela, Hawaii. He was born on May 12, 1946. 

Bo was a restaurant manager at Don Ho’s Island Grill, Molokai Lodge Dining Room and worked at Kanemitsu’s Bakery and Coffee Shop. He was a talented musician performing with Bell and James, Dick Jensen and Molokai Jazz West. He was high school teacher and member of the Western Washington Painters Union. Bo is a proud graduate of Molokai High Class of 1964. 

Celebration of Life will be held on April 15, 2023, Ho’olehua Congregational Church Fellowship Pavillion, 2205 Lihipali Avenue, Molokai.…

James Henry Lani Acasio

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

James Henry Lani Acasio, 74, of Aurora, Indiana, passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born Aug. 2, 1948, in Ho’olehua, HI, son of the late Hipolito Acasio and Alice (Lani) DeMello. 

He served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. James will be fondly remembered as a loving husband and Papa.  

James is survived by his ‘ohana which include his loving spouse of 51 years Deborah (Bauer) Acasio; daughters Anela Acasio Schwier and Rachel Acasio; grandsons Zane, Jack and Owen Schwier; granddaughter Elise Bostick; siblings Walter (Kehau) Kaiama, Wilfred Demello, Jr.,…

Ricky C. Agbuya

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Ricky C. Agbuya, age 52, of Kaunakakai, Molokai, passed away surrounded by his family on Jan. 21, 2023.

Ricky was born in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines on Nov. 10, 1970. He attended Saint Louis College from 1983 to 1987. In 1991, he graduated from Lorma College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After nursing school, he worked at Ilocos Regional Medical Center for 10 years. Ricky made the island of Molokai his home in June 2001, where he worked as a caregiver for CareResource Hawaii for 20 years. He also worked as a dialysis technician at Molokai Dialysis since 2005.…