Obituaries

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.…

Noa Emmett Auwae Aluli

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

Noa Emmett Auwae Aluli, M.D., age 78, passed away Nov. 30, 2022 at Kaunakakai, Molokai. Born on Oahu in January 1944 and raised in Kailua, he graduated from St. Louis College ʻ62 (St. Louis High School) and Marquette University ʻ66. Dr. Aluli taught at Damien High School and Kailua Intermediate before graduating in the first class at the University of Hawaii Medical School ʻ75 (John A. Burns School of Medicine, JABSOM). 

Dedicated to the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians, Dr. Aluli was a family practice primary care physician at the Molokai Family Health Center (46 years), a Medical Director of Molokai General Hospital and an Adjunct Assistant Medical Professor at JABSOM.…

Bradford Winston Kaahanui

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023

Bradford Winston Kaahanui — Winston, as he was known by most — died on Nov. 29, 2022 surrounded by his ohana. He was a hard-working man who loved his family.

Winston has been preceded in death by his parents William and Olga, and siblings Lila, Donna, Josephine, Luana, and Korina. He is survived by wife Nadine; children Tisha (Kari), Bradford (Janeen), Peter (Kayla) and Max; grandchildren Nainoa, Ilika, Ayden, Ilona and Kaikanoa; siblings Olga, William Jr., Harold, Kanoe, Curtis and Eunice; and many nephews and nieces. …

Alvin Kalani Kawaa

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

Alvin Kalani Kawaa was born on Nov. 19, 1962 in Honolulu and died on Dec. 3. 2022 at home in Ho’olehua, Molokai. He is survived by wife Kenetta Nani Kawaa; daughter Tanya Kaleinani Hanohano-Hashimoto; son-in-law Peter Hashimoto; grandsons Peter “Kahaku” Hanohano- Hashimoto (Hana) and Aaron “Kia’i” Hanohano-Hashimoto; and siblings Peter Kawaa III (LeeAnn), Kaeo Kawaa (Kahoiwai), and Glenn Adolpho (Cheryl). He was predeceased by his parents, Peter Kau Kawaa Jr and Blossom Puanani Adolpho, and sister Blossom “Sista” Kawaa. 

Alvin retired after working for more than 25 years from UPS.  He is also a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and graduated from Molokai High School Class of 1980. …

Sister Jessie Alai Kai, SS.CC.

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

Born in Hilo on August 18, 1942 to Herbert Kai Sr. and Regina Aiu, Sister Jessie Alai Kai, SS.CC. went peacefully home to God on Dec. 2, 2022 at the convent of Malia o ka Malu on 4th Avenue in Honolulu. 

In 2009, Sister was part of the group that founded a Sacred Hearts community at St. Damien Parish in Kaunakakai, Molokai, endearing herself to the people as parish secretary, religious educator and enthusiastic volunteer.  Due to failing health, Sister Jessie and the other Sisters of the Molokai community returned to Honolulu in March, 2022.   

Sister Jessie is survived by her sisters Regina (Otto) Furlow, Pauline Weddle, Diane and Victoria Kai and three brothers Herbert (Ingrid) Kai, Thomas and Paul Kai and numerous nieces and nephews. …