Elisabeth Luise Kamaka of Kane'ohe passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2021. She was 87 years old. Born to parents Matthias and Anna Theelen in Vorst and raised in Oedt, Germany, Elisabeth was of Dutch and German descent.After World War II ended, from 1957 to 1959, Elisabeth worked as an international flight attendant for Pan American World Airways while based in New York. It was there that she met her future husband, a dashing Hawaiian US Army Major named Frederick Kamaka, who was stationed in nearby Fort Dix, New Jersey. When a Hawaiian lu'au was held at Lake Mohawk, New Jersey in 1958, Fred arrived with his potluck contributions, chicken long rice and an 'ukulele, and Elisabeth arrived in a grass skirt, high heels, and a chrysanthemum lei, bearing homemade deviled eggs. The couple were married on August 22, 1959 in Long Island, New York. They subsequently lived in Puerto Rico, North Carolina and Germany before permanently moving with their three young children back to Fred's home state of Hawai'i in 1968.
Elisabeth was a devoted wife and mother who stressed the importance of faith and family and lived her life accordingly — as a strong anchor of the Kamaka clan. She is survived by the love of her life for 62 years, her husband Fred Kamaka; children: Dr. Martina Kamaka (Donald Froning), Heidi (Carter) Kamana and Frederick (Kitty) Kamaka, Jr.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild, one surviving brother, and many nieces and nephews.
A private service is pending.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
St. Ann Church, 46-129 Ha'iku Road, Kane'ohe, Hawai'i 96744 (www.saintannhawaii.org) or
Pearson Foundation of Hawai'i,
1145 Bishop Street, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 (https://pearsonplace.org)
