Born in Hilo on August 18, 1942 to Herbert Kai Sr. and Regina Aiu, Sister Jessie went peacefully home to God on December 2, 2022 at the convent of Malia o ka Malu on 4th Avenue. A graduate of St. Joseph School, Hilo and Hilo Business College, Jessie worked at Kai Store in Hilo and then at the Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu. In 1975, Jessie entered with the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Honolulu and made her profession on April 9, 1978. From 1980 to 1985, Sr. Jessie served at Sacred Hearts Academy as a religion teacher and lower school secretary where she was much loved for her kindness, gentle spirit and sense of joy. In 1986, Sister was one of founders of a community that served in Sacred Heart Parish in Waianae. There she was in her element serving the children and people of the parish with joy and dedication. In 1997, she became a member of the Na Leo Ho'onani Community in Palolo serving at St. James Parish and SHA grade school. In 2009, Sister was part of the group that founded a Sacred Hearts community at St. Damien Parish in Kaunakakai, Molokai, endearing herself to the people as parish secretary, religious educator and enthusiastic volunteer. Due to failing health, Sr. Jessie and the other Sisters of the Molokai community returned to Honolulu in March, 2022. Sister joined the Regina Pacis community where she spent many hours in Eucharistic adoration and contributing to the joy of the community.
Sister Jessie is survived by her sisters Regina (Otto) Furlow, Pauline Weddle, Diane and Victoria Kai and three brothers Herbert (Ingrid) Kai, Thomas and Paul Kai and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert A. Kai and Regina (Aiu) Kai and her brother, the Reverend Walter K. Kai.
Funeral services for Sr. Jessie will be held at St. Margaret Mary Chapel at Sacred Hearts Academy on Wednesday, December 14. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. followed by Eulogies at 10:30 a.m., Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., Burial at Hawaiian Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m.
Truly a woman of Aloha, Sister Jessie will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
