Obituaries for Friday, April 9, 2021

Bruce Rapozo

Bruce Rapozo, 63, passed away on March 5, 2021, at his home in Lihu‘e. He was born on November 14, 1957, and was a talented artist and welder.

He was preceded in death by parents Arthur and Frances Rapozo, brother Steven, and sisters Carol and Susan.

He is survived by brother Gregory Rapozo, sister Roz Rapozo, nephews Travis and Brandon Fukumoto, niece Dionne Watts and six great-nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life is Sunday, April 18, at 10 a.m. at the Kaiola Canoe Club at Niumalu Beach Park.

Jose Libed Layaoen

Jose Libed Layaoen passed away at his Kilauea home, surrounded by family, on March 28, 2021, at the age of 95. Born on Sept. 19, 1925 in Baay, Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he worked at Kilauea Sugar Plantation and retired from Lihu‘e Plantation.

He was preceded in death by parents Genaro and Modesta Layaoen, stepmother Segundina Layaoen, brother Efren Layaoen, sister-in-law Resurreccion Layaoen and brother-in-law Resty Parubrub.

He is survived by loving wife of 75 years Cristeta Gallego Layaoen, sons Francis (Lilay) Layaoen of Kilauea, Jesse (Margie) Layaoen of Kilauea and Jose Jr. (Nuevelyn) Layaoen of Kilauea, daughters Eliza (Cresencio) Garcia of Kilauea, Welly (Larry) Pasion of Santa Ana, California, and Diane (Clark) Collier of Paola, Kansas, brother Mac (Dely) Layaoen of Koloa, sister Magdalena Layaoen Parubrub of Kekaha, grandchildren Lani (Aaron) Cummings, Frank “Kimo” (Christie) Layaoen, Liza (Jeremy) Pope, Lynn (Jason) Nelson, Eileen (Dennis) Cadiente, Julie (Robert) De Mond, Cris Garcia, Lawrence Pasion, Lianne (Keola) Taniguchi, Christine (Andrew) Abalos, Leah (Bryson) Ragsac, Matthew Collier, Allyson (Alex) Mooney, Jordan Layaoen and Joshua Layaoen, 26 great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, loving friends and relatives.

A viewing will be at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Saturday, April 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. A celebration of life is at New Hope Kilauea on Sunday, April 18, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at noon at Kilauea Japanese Cemetery.

Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Source: The Garden Island