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Amelia Kalaho'anoleilehua Akau, wife, mother, aunty, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away on July 11, 2022 at the age of 90. She was raised in Kaimuki and continued to live her days in the very home she was born in. "Aunty Amelia" was headstrong and always full of surprises. The youngest of three, Amelia was born to Godfrey and Anna Ahana on March 14, 1932. As a child, she would spend many of her younger days with her grandfather in Kahana Bay while her father served in the Navy. With her parents busy working in the war, Amelia would grow and develop a kolohe mind of independence and unchained freedom. It was there that she developed a love for riding horses. Amelia also loved being her own boss as she transferred from school to school, cleaning walls and running away from her teachers whenever they tried to give her an assignment she disliked. As a Roosevelt High School student, Amelia grew and ran with a mind of her own.Little did Amelia know that she would later meet her match while on a fishing trip with her brother Leroy. Amelia Ahana and Abraham Akau married on October 8, 1949 while in the presence of their family and friends. Throughout their marriage, they would raise their family in Aina Haina, Hawaii Kai, and eventually find their way back to her childhood home in Kaimuki. They had 6 children; Michael, Alfred (Nick), Stephen (Happy), Lovey Ann, Claire, and Valerie. In their early years, Amelia worked at City Mill, Vonn Hamm Young, Grolier's Encyclopedia, and Bank of Hawaii. She had a knack for cooking and prioritized always keeping a home and kitchen clean. Dirty dishes were her biggest pet peeve of all. Her family were big fans of her beef stew, beef tomato, and pork tofu dishes.
Amelia gave her all in love and service. "Mother Divine," a self-given yet striking nickname deemed true whenever one met or spoke with Amelia. Though she saw many dark days, she continued to live what she taught, which was to "keep smiling." She enjoyed watching her Hallmark movies and crime shows, attending her grandchildren's sports games, going to the beach, watching the sunset, and having family dinners for every holiday. Once asked by her granddaughter about how old she was, she replied "I'm 89 but 19 at heart." Her eternally young and lively spirit will always be missed by the many people who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by her children, Alfred (Nick) (Elaine), Stephen (Happy) (Val Lynn), Claire (Alapati), Valerie (Deceased) (Michael); 9 grandchildren, Abraham (Larie), Neal (Lesina), Nicholas, Melanie (Kilisimasi), Sisilia, Amelia (Brandt), Michael (Deceased), Siosaia, Alfred (Pono); and 7 great grandchildren, Alapati, Neal, Nolini, Kilea, Kolo, Abraham, and Melanie. She was predeceased by her husband Abraham (Buddy), her children Michael, Lovey Ann, and Valerie.
Amelia's services will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary on August 30, 2022. Public Viewing from 9-11:00 am. Service from 11-12:00 pm. Burial at 1:00 pm.
