Known as "Aunty Clara" to many, Kakalia was a Democratic National Committee member and was one of four Hawai'i electors who cast ballots in the 1988 and 1992 Electoral College.

In 1974, then Gov. George Ariyoshi appointed Kakalia to the Commission on the Status of Women. During her tenure, Kakalia is credited with pushing through financing for the fledgling women's athletics program at the University of Hawai'i.

Kakalia was a founding member of the Hawai'i Federation of Democratic Women and served as president of that organization. She counted as her friends former governors John Burns, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano, as well as U.S. Sens. Dan Inouye and Daniel Akaka.

While still active with the party, Kakalia began her fight for Hawaiian sovereignty and rights. She was one of the first members of the sovereignty group Ka Lahui Hawai'i.

Mililani Trask, former head of Ka Lahui, said Kakalia was a "dynamic person" who served as a mentor to many in the sovereignty movement. As head of Ka Lahui's political action committee, Kakalia used her knowledge of the political system to lobby elected officials on behalf of the group.

"I know of very, very few people who had her depth of understanding and history of participation," Trask said. "Her personality was so strong that when she came into a room, things would pause. People would acknowledge her in that way."

Kakalia also was a generous person who gave much of her time to her family and causes not related to the Democratic Party or Hawaiian issues.

"She worked for her people to better Hawai'i, but she was involved in all kinds of issues, things that had nothing to do with the bills that Ka Lahui was carrying," Trask said. "She was supporting bills for elderly, supplemental care. She was involved in children. She was presenting testimony on education measures. She was a great person. Everyone who knew her loved her and respected her."

Kakalia is survived by daughter, Leona-Clare; sons, Kaonohi Malama, K. David Malama, Leo Jr., Michael, and Burt Kauhi; brothers, Ernest Jr., Robert Leong and Henry Leong; and sisters, Fannie "Kamakolu" Gilman and Eleanor "Nuku" Hanakeawe.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Kawaiaha'o Church.