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On the beautiful afternoon of December 13th, 2022, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away in her Ka'a'awa family home, a place she cherished and held close to her heart.Amy is the 3rd of 4 children born to Sun Wo Kam and Elenor Ah Yung Ching Kam on October 3, 1931, in Kahuku, Hawaii and grew up in Kahana Valley, Hawaii. She is the last surviving sibling to sisters Bertha Evans (Ray), Shirley Asentista (Jose), and brother Kwai (Abbey).
Amy graduated from Kahuku High School in 1949. After high school, she spent time with her two older sisters and their families to help care for their children while their husbands served in the military. One of the first jobs she held was at Hawaiian Pine. Amy married Albert Kamakaala on January 31, 1956, and raised her family in Punalu'u and Ka'a'awa. She worked for the City and County of Honolulu for 33 years as a proud park keeper, becoming a beloved fixture in the community, caring for Swanzy, Ka'a'awa, Kalae'o'io and Kualoa Beach Parks. She made many friends with families that came to set up camp every summer at the parks. She was a member of the Hawaiian Civic Club and was honored for the service in which she gave passionately.
Amy was known for the leipo'o she would wili, using the various flowers and fern from her yard and those gathered by her children and grandchildren and friends; for her pickle mango she made from mangoes down the lane; for her boiled peanuts; delicious jook and many other things she would share with her community.
She was also an avid supporter of her children's school activities and sports teams, contributing food, lei, and time.
Amy was the mother of seven children. She leaves behind, sons, Thad (Kalei), Vann (Lisa), Alyn (Anuenue), Furl (Peri), Dain (Karen), Thor (Paula), daughter Alcy Kaniho-Rubelsky (George); 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and hanai sister, Paulette Palmer (Errol). She extended her love and care to her nieces and nephews, the Evans, Asentista, and Kam ohana and foster son, Rueben Chong.
A Celebration of Life will be held, Monday, January 16th, 2023, at Hawaiian Memorial Park, with a public viewing at 9am, followed by services at 10am.
