Obituary for Rachel Lahela Kaleiopu
The Kaleiopu ʻOhana would like to announce the passing of Rachel Lahela Kaleiopu on July 27th, 2020. Our mother returned to the loving care of our Heavenly Father while surrounded by her loving ʻOhana at our home in Lāhaina.
Mom is preceded in death by her parents, Gabriel Sr. and Wilhelmina Puaʻa, her brothers Kenneth (Ruby), Nelson (Marvelee), Kopa (Betty), and Herman (Donna) Puaʻa,and her sister Frederica (James) Mersberg.
Left to cherish our mother’s memory is our father, her loving husband of 48 years, Julian Kaleiopu.
She is survived also by her brother, Gabriel (Evelyn) Puaʻa Jr. of Colorado.Children : Noe (Tommy) Akima, Sheryl Nakanelua, and Kalani (Kelcie) Kaleiopu, as well as her countless hānai children, nieces and nephews for whom she had a hand in raising. Grandchildren : Kapili, TJ (Deanna), George (Chyeanne) and Lahela (Lopeti) Akima Juraesha (Kaleo), Julynn (Kenui), and Junga (Chloe) Iʻi, and Juseana-rae Delatori
Dustin and Ethan Kaleiopu, Kiara Galicinao and Stacia Eng Great-grandchildren: Emmalei, Euryah, and Kaihaʻa Akima Taelynn, Makana, Briley-Ann Iʻi, Kanekoa and Kaʻiulani Dapitan Brooklyn and Kingston Feiteira
Kalani Hussey Vailana and Vasaʻi Tuʻua.
Known to many as “Aunty Rachel”, our mother was born in Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi where she met and married our father prior to making her home in Lāhaina. Among the many hats she wore throughout her life, our mother is most well known for her time as the manager of “The Lāhaina Broiler”. Ultimately, though, the greatest titles she held were Mom, Grandma, and Tūtū Mama.
Our family would like to send our endless Mahalo to the many folks who shared a hand in caring for our mother and our family in these last few weeks: Richard, Andi, Herman and Kaylee Puaʻa-Smith and Carli, Shawn, and Lexi Puaʻa-Kahoʻokano of Molokaʻi, Noelle Arausa and the staff of Islandʻs Hospice, and the many people who have donated food, flowers, and kind words.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of our ʻOhana, private services will be held. A public
celebration of life will be announced at a later date
Mom is preceded in death by her parents, Gabriel Sr. and Wilhelmina Puaʻa, her brothers Kenneth (Ruby), Nelson (Marvelee), Kopa (Betty), and Herman (Donna) Puaʻa,and her sister Frederica (James) Mersberg.
Left to cherish our mother’s memory is our father, her loving husband of 48 years, Julian Kaleiopu.
She is survived also by her brother, Gabriel (Evelyn) Puaʻa Jr. of Colorado.Children : Noe (Tommy) Akima, Sheryl Nakanelua, and Kalani (Kelcie) Kaleiopu, as well as her countless hānai children, nieces and nephews for whom she had a hand in raising. Grandchildren : Kapili, TJ (Deanna), George (Chyeanne) and Lahela (Lopeti) Akima Juraesha (Kaleo), Julynn (Kenui), and Junga (Chloe) Iʻi, and Juseana-rae Delatori
Dustin and Ethan Kaleiopu, Kiara Galicinao and Stacia Eng Great-grandchildren: Emmalei, Euryah, and Kaihaʻa Akima Taelynn, Makana, Briley-Ann Iʻi, Kanekoa and Kaʻiulani Dapitan Brooklyn and Kingston Feiteira
Kalani Hussey Vailana and Vasaʻi Tuʻua.
Known to many as “Aunty Rachel”, our mother was born in Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi where she met and married our father prior to making her home in Lāhaina. Among the many hats she wore throughout her life, our mother is most well known for her time as the manager of “The Lāhaina Broiler”. Ultimately, though, the greatest titles she held were Mom, Grandma, and Tūtū Mama.
Our family would like to send our endless Mahalo to the many folks who shared a hand in caring for our mother and our family in these last few weeks: Richard, Andi, Herman and Kaylee Puaʻa-Smith and Carli, Shawn, and Lexi Puaʻa-Kahoʻokano of Molokaʻi, Noelle Arausa and the staff of Islandʻs Hospice, and the many people who have donated food, flowers, and kind words.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of our ʻOhana, private services will be held. A public
celebration of life will be announced at a later date