Posted on: Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Elaine 'Auntie Kaui' Kahiamoe, 74

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Elaine Kauiopuna Pahio Kahiamoe, 74, a Sunday School teacher and elder at His Highest Praise Ka'a'awa, died Nov. 27 in a fire that destroyed her family home in Waipi'o Acres.

Daughter Loriemle Malterre said her mother was devoted to her faith, her family and her community.

"She was my pillar and my strength in my time of need," Malterre said. "She loved the Lord a lot; she ministered to many."

Malterre said many will remember her mother as Auntie Kaui, a compassionate woman who reached out to others wherever she went. "My mother is one who loved to give Bibles away," Malterre said.

Even strangers responded to her warmth. Malterre recalled a recent family trip to Las Vegas where a woman in a casino spontaneously hugged her mom and told her she loved her.

"My mother loved to sing," she said. "She sang throughout the day and whistled."

Kahiamoe was born Dec. 1, 1927, in Ho'olehua, Moloka'i. She was retired as a secretary for State Farm Insurance. She was past president and secretary of the Makakilo Senior Citizens.

She was a volunteer at Angels on Wheels, a member of the Leeward Council Senior Citizens and of the Senior Bowling League Barbers Point.

Malterre said she was also among the first home-care nurses at St. Francis Medical Center.

Kahiamoe is survived by her husband, William Sr.; sons, Kit David of Maui, William Jr. of Ma'ili and Cornelius "Anela" of Nanakuli; daughters, Elaine Freitas of Wai'anae, Merrille "Kanoelani" Kalahiki of Honolulu, and Malterre of Kapolei; sisters, Elizabeth Lidstone, Emmaline Johnasen, Loretta Ching and Rosemarie Coen; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary, with services at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.