WILMA HEALANI HOLI (“AUNTY WILMA”)
WILMA HEALANI HOLI (AUNTY WILMA) Of Hanapepe, Kauai passed away on January 16, 2018. Aunty Wilma was a retired Secondary Teacher and Librarian for 39 years. She received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with emphasis in Health and Physical Education from Church College (BYU Hawaii), earned a Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University in 1979. In 1996, she received a second masters degree in Library and Information Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and managed to get her real estate license in 1985. Aunty Wilma was very active in her community prior to retirement. She is one of the founding directors of the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association, also served as Secretary and Race Director. Was elected President of the Hanapepe Community Association and served until Hurricane Iniki came. Coordinated recovery efforts with the community and the military. Recruited to be a board member and opened a chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Recruited for Ho'ola Lahui Hawaii, a Native Hawaiian health organization addressing the health needs of Native Hawaiians. During her tenure as President, she opened two community health centers and "340B pharmacies" which provided discounted medication for those in need (statewide), and served on the Papa Ola Lokahi (POL) Board until 2006. Last position as President succeeding the late Agnes Cope, who succeeded the late Myron "Pinky" Thompson. As a member of POL, she travelled to Washington DC to consult with Congressional members and key health officials. Aunty Wima lobbied for the College of Pharmacy at UH-Hilo which was a concerted effort that included others from Hawaii that brought this to fruition. She was apart of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana (PKO), Kauai/Niihau Burial Council and one of her last efforts was her role as a witness in Protecting Mauna Kea hearings. In Aunty Wilma's professional life, there were a myriad of responsibilities that teachers as a whole take on, she coordinated the effort to compile and write the accreditation report for Waimea High School twice. President of a nonprofit organization that holds a 501(c)(3), her primary focus was to address health, education, and community needs. She was so proud of the students she worked with in getting them admitted to college, and provide academic, social & financial support. Aunty Wilma is preceded in death by: Solomon Hanohano Holi (father), Olga Kali Holi (mother), and brothers Lorrin, Nolan, & Gaylord; survived by her Sisters: Gwendolyn Holi, Belle Ka'iwi, Mona Joy Holi and Henrietta Holi Helm (Zachary Helm); Nieces and nephews: Denise, Janice, Kailianu, Barbara, Bruce, Benetta, Benehakaka, Tiare, Johanna, Douglas, Carlton, Curtis and Raiatea and God son Kapono. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 10th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4580 Ehiku Street, Lihu'e Ph 808-245-3063; Casual attire. Condolences can be sent to PO Box 368, Hanapepe, HI 96716.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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