Of Puko'o, Moloka'i, passed on May 23, 2022 at the Queen's Medical Center Punchbowl with her husband Myron by her side. She was born in Ho'olehua, Moloka'i on October 25, 1950 to Hannah and Francis Machado. She was also predeceased by brothers Jerry, Milton and Peter Haliniak.Colette carried the "lama kukui" spirit of the Moloka'i kupuna who taught her as an 'opi'o to stand up for what is true. Her activism started when she was a student at UH Manoa, joining in the protest of the eviction of farmers in Waiahole-Waikane. She then became involved with Hui Ala Loa and helped organize the movement to stop the bombing and all military use of the island of Kaho'olawe. She championed the research and the consent degree that allowed the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana to access the island. She continued to play a critical role in the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana and later served as one of the first members of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission from 1994-2005, 2009-2013.
She served as the first Native Hawaiian woman and youngest member of the State Land Use Commission from 1975-1979 and on the Hawaiian Homes Commission from 1979-1981. She worked as a counselor at Honolulu Community College, Alu Like, and taught at an alternative education program with Kamehameha Schools on Moloka'i. She was also the Moloka'i representative for U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye.
Her heart continued to be in grassroots community organizing and advocating with Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana and Moloka'i groups at the forefront of protecting Hawai'i's lands and cultural resources- such as stopping the disinterment of hundreds of iwi kupuna at Honokahua, Maui. Other leadership roles include: Chairperson for Moloka'i Island Burial Council, President of the Moloka'i Land Trust, board member for Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa, Ho'olehua Hawaiian Civic Club of Moloka'i, Moloka'i Island Multi-Service Board of Alu Like, Moloka'i Health Foundation Board of Directors and the Moloka'i Enterprise Community Board. Colette helped found Malama Mana'e, Ka Leo O Mana'e, Kako'o Kawela, Malama Moloka'i, and Ke Kua'aina Hanauna Hou – all of which were successful in protecting Moloka'i lands and waters from development.
As an OHA Trustee for the islands of Moloka'i and Lanai from 1996 to 2020, she served as board chairwoman from 2010-2014 and again from 2017-2020. While serving in OHA she was key in the acquisition of Wao Kele O Puna, Kukaniloko Birthing stones and the Palauea Cultural Preserve, brokered the acquisition of the Kaka'ako Makai lands, sponsored an OHA resolution to fund the kia'i of Mauna A Wakea and the filing of a civil suit challenging UH's management of the mauna. As a Trustee to Moloka'i and Lana'i, it was about serving her people such as funding a dialysis station in Kalaupapa and Kaunakakai, and funding a state-of-the-art extension of Moloka'i General Hospital serving the whole island.
Colette leaves behind her husband Myron Akutagawa; stepchildren Malia and Williama Akutagawa; nieces Joyce Kamahele, Gayla Ann Haliniak-Lloyd, Hokulani Fernandez, Heidi Haliniak, Momikai Leong; nephews Jerry Jr, Peter Frank, and Hunter Haliniak; grand and great nieces & nephews, numerous cousins, and a great friend to many.
Colette's 'ohana wishes to express our sincere Mahalo to the staff at the Queen's Medical Center.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 13,
at Kawaiaha'o Church. Visitation at 8:30am; Services at 9:30am. Moloka'i Celebration will be on August 20, at Kilohana Community Center. Visitation at 9:00; Services at 10:00am.
