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Elizabeth Eleanor Awapuhi Karonionhawi Kauka was born on August 19, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of George Kauka and Margaret Rose White Cloud Kauka. Aunty Liz Kauka (Sissy, Liz, Auntsy Babes, Ms. Kauka) passed away peacefully on July 21, 2020. She was surrounded by her 'ohana when she went home to God and her siblings George Kauka Jr., Ilima Williams, Myra Watts and Haleaka Martin. She is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces & nephews, great-grandnieces & nephews, cousins and countless dear friends.
The George Kauka family left Philadelphia and moved home to Kalihi, Hawaii in 1929. Growing up, the family spent a lot of time in Punalu'u and Liz was the favorite babysitter.
Liz graduated from Kamehameha Schools (KSBE) in 1945 and boarded the Lurline to the College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. After graduating from college, she returned to Hawaii and began a career in teaching with the DOE spanning 42 years. At Roosevelt High School Ms. Kauka was a well-known and beloved PE teacher, athletic director, coach and student advisor. After retiring, she continued as a DOE substitute teacher for over 25 years in various Honolulu schools.
As an avid athlete, Liz was an active member in bowling leagues, tennis clubs, Mid Pacific Country Club and Hawaiian Girls Golf Club. Her social clubs included Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, Ka'ahumanu Society of Honolulu, and the American Business Women's Association. Aunty Liz was a social butterfly and enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Services will be on Saturday, January 14th, 2023 at the Bishop Memorial Chapel on the Kamehameha Schools campus from 9:00am-12:00pm. Visitation 9:30-10:30am.
