JOSEPHINE REGALA DE LUZ May 13, 1929 - October 19, 2016 Josephine Regala De Luz was an extraordinary woman. Adventurous. Intelligent. Fun-loving. Courageous. Gracious. And one of the most loving, compassionate people you would ever be blessed to know. There are so many words and ways to describe her but she was her most fulfilled as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jo's life was long and rich. She grew up as a rascally girl in Kilauea on the island of Kauai, climbing trees, slip-sliding down streams, and making the kind of lifelong connections that can only really be forged in small, rural communities that are defined by the way family and friends care for one another. Jo grew into a beautiful young woman who loved music. At 16, she sailed to the United States mainland aboard an ocean steamer to tour the country with her church choral group. Later Jo would attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa as a music major. While her rich alto voice would always stay with her, a music degree wasn't in her future. Instead, she married a young man named Elias Perfecto Yadao (Epy) and interrupted her college education to accompany Epy to Washington D.C. while he attended law school at the George Washington University. While in D.C., Jo and Epy had the first two of their four children - Barbara Lynne and Emil John, and were part of a community of young people from Hawaii whose educations were made possible by the GI Bill. The family eventually made their way to Hilo, Hawaii where Epy opened a solo law practice and also started his political career as a member of the Hawaii County Board of Supervisors. The younger two children, Elisa Jo and Elias Perfecto Junior, better known as Buddy, were both born in Hilo. In 1966, following Epy's death, Jo succeeded him on the County Council. She also became the single parent of four children who were then 13, 12, 9 and 2. Jo served on the council for 10 years. In 1976, she went back to school at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Her graduation, with a degree in business, ranks as one of the proudest moments of her four children. In 1982, Jo married Hilo businessman David De Luz Sr. Jo and David loved ranching, traveling, entertaining and one another. Among their greatest joys was having a houseful of children and grandchildren. Their life together was full of both happiness and challenge, and until her last day Jo was devoted to ensuring David's well-being. She is survived by husband David, children Barbara Yadao-Petti (William), Emil (Loriann Gordon), Elisa Yadao Jones (Steve), Elias (Lynnett), grandchildren Jeremy Yadao, Kayla, Kawai and Arisa Yadao, Sihon and Stuart Jones and great-grandchildren Jaiyah, Liam and Eli Yadao and Samson Jones. Visitation 2 p.m., service at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 3 at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo. Casual attire, no flowers please. Even after 87 years of living life to its fullest, Jo's death came suddenly and too soon for those of us who love her. But the love she shared comforts and sustains us always and keeps her alive in our hearts. Safe journey Mom.
JOSEPHINE REGALA DE LUZ May 13, 1929 - October 19, 2016 Josephine Regala De Luz was an extraordinary woman. Adventurous. Intelligent. Fun-loving. Courageous. Gracious. And one of the most loving, compassionate people you would ever be blessed to know. There are so many words and ways to describe her but she was her most fulfilled as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jo's life was long and rich. She grew up as a rascally girl in Kilauea on the island of Kauai, climbing trees, slip-sliding down streams, and making the kind of lifelong connections that can only really be forged in small, rural communities that are defined by the way family and friends care for one another. Jo grew into a beautiful young woman who loved music. At 16, she sailed to the United States mainland aboard an ocean steamer to tour the country with her church choral group. Later Jo would attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa as a music major. While her rich alto voice would always stay with her, a music degree wasn't in her future. Instead, she married a young man named Elias Perfecto Yadao (Epy) and interrupted her college education to accompany Epy to Washington D.C. while he attended law school at the George Washington University. While in D.C., Jo and Epy had the first two of their four children - Barbara Lynne and Emil John, and were part of a community of young people from Hawaii whose educations were made possible by the GI Bill. The family eventually made their way to Hilo, Hawaii where Epy opened a solo law practice and also started his political career as a member of the Hawaii County Board of Supervisors. The younger two children, Elisa Jo and Elias Perfecto Junior, better known as Buddy, were both born in Hilo. In 1966, following Epy's death, Jo succeeded him on the County Council. She also became the single parent of four children who were then 13, 12, 9 and 2. Jo served on the council for 10 years. In 1976, she went back to school at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Her graduation, with a degree in business, ranks as one of the proudest moments of her four children. In 1982, Jo married Hilo businessman David De Luz Sr. Jo and David loved ranching, traveling, entertaining and one another. Among their greatest joys was having a houseful of children and grandchildren. Their life together was full of both happiness and challenge, and until her last day Jo was devoted to ensuring David's well-being. She is survived by husband David, children Barbara Yadao-Petti (William), Emil (Loriann Gordon), Elisa Yadao Jones (Steve), Elias (Lynnett), grandchildren Jeremy Yadao, Kayla, Kawai and Arisa Yadao, Sihon and Stuart Jones and great-grandchildren Jaiyah, Liam and Eli Yadao and Samson Jones. Visitation 2 p.m., service at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 3 at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo. Casual attire, no flowers please. Even after 87 years of living life to its fullest, Jo's death came suddenly and too soon for those of us who love her. But the love she shared comforts and sustains us always and keeps her alive in our hearts. Safe journey Mom.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
