Lotoata (Tai) Karnuth passed away at her home in Kahaluu on November 11, 2018 at age 83. She was born on Swains Island in 1935, the youngest of eight children of Tai Solomona and Toniga (Pedro) Tai. Her kind, generous, family-loving character was formed in Tokelau during her first 20 years, when she lived at various times on all four atolls of the Tokelau Archipelago, principally on Atafu Island. In 1958, she married her husband in Western Samoa and moved to Hawaii, where she renewed connections with relatives from Tokelau. Lotoata was an avid, skilled, and licensed crafter, and for many years sold her handmade work at craft fair venues throughout the Hawaiian Islands. She made and sold beautiful fine shell leis of rare Tokelauan oneone coral and seashells, heti taulima, ili, ato, pulou, and similar crafts from various islands in the South Pacific. Her love for the jewels of nature was only outshone by her love of family and God. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Austin "Bud" Karnuth, and their five children, Leitu (Jeanne) Karnuth, June (Stephen) Burke, Ben (Anne) Karnuth, Paul (Moana) Karnuth, Hana (late John) Rawlings (with Richard Silva), seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A private family memorial will be held at the Karnuth family home at 11AM on Saturday, December 1. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
Lotoata (Tai) Karnuth passed away at her home in Kahaluu on November 11, 2018 at age 83. She was born on Swains Island in 1935, the youngest of eight children of Tai Solomona and Toniga (Pedro) Tai. Her kind, generous, family-loving character was formed in Tokelau during her first 20 years, when she lived at various times on all four atolls of the Tokelau Archipelago, principally on Atafu Island. In 1958, she married her husband in Western Samoa and moved to Hawaii, where she renewed connections with relatives from Tokelau. Lotoata was an avid, skilled, and licensed crafter, and for many years sold her handmade work at craft fair venues throughout the Hawaiian Islands. She made and sold beautiful fine shell leis of rare Tokelauan oneone coral and seashells, heti taulima, ili, ato, pulou, and similar crafts from various islands in the South Pacific. Her love for the jewels of nature was only outshone by her love of family and God. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Austin "Bud" Karnuth, and their five children, Leitu (Jeanne) Karnuth, June (Stephen) Burke, Ben (Anne) Karnuth, Paul (Moana) Karnuth, Hana (late John) Rawlings (with Richard Silva), seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A private family memorial will be held at the Karnuth family home at 11AM on Saturday, December 1. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
