Dr. Leialoha Apo Perkins passed away on December 8, 2018. She was the author of several books of short stories, poetry and a novel. She was awarded the 1998 Hawai`i Award for Literature. In 2017, `Atenisi University in Tonga conferred on Perkins the honor of University Fellow Leialoha was born on March 5, 1930 in Lahaina, Maui, to parents Samuel Apo, a Lahaina teacher and Margaret Ka`a`a Apo, a long term member of the Hawai`i Board of Education. She had four siblings; Didi, Samuel, Mima and Peter Apo. Perkins earned her BA from Boston University, MA from Mount Holyoke and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in Folklore and Folklife. Dr. Perkins was one of the few Hawaiian PhD's of her era. She taught Anthropology and English Literature at `Atenisi University in Tonga, and Hawaiian Studies and literature in the University of Hawaii system. For over 30 years she worked on the Hawaiian creation chant "Kumulipo." Dr. Perkins is survived by husband, emeritus Prof. Roland F. Perkins; sons: `Umi Perkins and Kele Perkins; brother Peter K. Apo; daughters in law, Nichole Field and Leticia Perkins; and 7 grandchildren. Services will be held on January 12th, 2019 at Nu'uanu Memorial Park and Mortuary at 11:00 am. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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