Laura Efurd, 54, of Mililani, passed away on July 2, 2018 of complications due to cancer at Hawaii Hospice in Kailua, Hawaii. Laura was a long-time aide to the late U.S. Congresswoman, Patsy Mink, and also served in the Clinton Administration as Assistant Director to the President and Deputy Director of Public Liaison. Born in Kona, where her parents, O.W. "Dub" and Grace Efurd started Kona Baptist Church, Laura moved with her family in 1971 to Mililani where Dub Efurd was the first pastor at Mililani Baptist Church. After graduating from Mililani High School, Laura attended and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and then received her Masters Degree in International Communications from American University in Washington, D. C. After serving on the staff of U.S. Congressman Tommy Robinson of Arkansas, Laura returned to her Hawaii roots joining the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Patsy Mink when she returned to Congress in 1990. Over the next 9 years, Laura expanded her sphere of influence as Legislative Director for the Congresswoman and as an active participant in organizations, especially those that advanced the cause of women and Asian Pacific Americans. She was a founding member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA) and was instrumental in the creation of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS). In May of this year, Laura was recognized by CAPASA with the Joe Montano award for her decades of service. In 1999, Laura Joined the Executive Office of the President, appointed by President Bill Clinton as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Public Liaison. There, she advised the President and Senior White House staff on policy and political matters of concern to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community. After 15 years of service in Washington, D.C., Laura moved to San Francisco in 2002 to join ZeroDivide, a not for profit foundation dedicated to achieving digital equality for vulnerable populations. In 2014, Laura made the decision to leave her work and home in San Francisco and return to Hawaii to care for her ailing mother. Laura said it was an honor to be able to serve her mother that way, caring for her 24/7 for almost a year. After her mother's death, Laura re-entered the workforce as an Office Manager for the office of U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono in Honolulu. Laura is survived by her brother, Steve and wife Nikki Efurd of Murphy, Texas, and nephews Tyler Donihoo and Bryce Efurd of Plano, Texas and Murphy, Texas, respectively, and her beloved dog Koa. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Olivet Baptist Church (1775 S. Beretania St, Honolulu, Hawaii). Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. Interment is at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 6 at Mililani Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Laura's family and friends recommend donations to one of the following organizations that were near and dear to Laura's heart: Hawaii Baptist Academy O.W. "Dub" and Grace Efurd Scholarship Fund 21 Bates St., Honolulu, HI 96817 Mililani Baptist Church O.W. "Dub" Efurd Missions Fund 94-293 Anania Drive, Mililani, HI 96789 The Center for Asian Pacific American Women Laura Efurd Scholarship Fund 1750 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Women's Audio Mission 542-544 Natoma Street, #C-1, San Francisco, CA 94103 Txt:Teens Exploring Technology 3655 South Grand Ave, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Laura Efurd, 54, of Mililani, passed away on July 2, 2018 of complications due to cancer at Hawaii Hospice in Kailua, Hawaii. Laura was a long-time aide to the late U.S. Congresswoman, Patsy Mink, and also served in the Clinton Administration as Assistant Director to the President and Deputy Director of Public Liaison. Born in Kona, where her parents, O.W. "Dub" and Grace Efurd started Kona Baptist Church, Laura moved with her family in 1971 to Mililani where Dub Efurd was the first pastor at Mililani Baptist Church. After graduating from Mililani High School, Laura attended and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and then received her Masters Degree in International Communications from American University in Washington, D. C. After serving on the staff of U.S. Congressman Tommy Robinson of Arkansas, Laura returned to her Hawaii roots joining the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Patsy Mink when she returned to Congress in 1990. Over the next 9 years, Laura expanded her sphere of influence as Legislative Director for the Congresswoman and as an active participant in organizations, especially those that advanced the cause of women and Asian Pacific Americans. She was a founding member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA) and was instrumental in the creation of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS). In May of this year, Laura was recognized by CAPASA with the Joe Montano award for her decades of service. In 1999, Laura Joined the Executive Office of the President, appointed by President Bill Clinton as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Public Liaison. There, she advised the President and Senior White House staff on policy and political matters of concern to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community. After 15 years of service in Washington, D.C., Laura moved to San Francisco in 2002 to join ZeroDivide, a not for profit foundation dedicated to achieving digital equality for vulnerable populations. In 2014, Laura made the decision to leave her work and home in San Francisco and return to Hawaii to care for her ailing mother. Laura said it was an honor to be able to serve her mother that way, caring for her 24/7 for almost a year. After her mother's death, Laura re-entered the workforce as an Office Manager for the office of U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono in Honolulu. Laura is survived by her brother, Steve and wife Nikki Efurd of Murphy, Texas, and nephews Tyler Donihoo and Bryce Efurd of Plano, Texas and Murphy, Texas, respectively, and her beloved dog Koa. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Olivet Baptist Church (1775 S. Beretania St, Honolulu, Hawaii). Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. Interment is at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 6 at Mililani Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Laura's family and friends recommend donations to one of the following organizations that were near and dear to Laura's heart: Hawaii Baptist Academy O.W. "Dub" and Grace Efurd Scholarship Fund 21 Bates St., Honolulu, HI 96817 Mililani Baptist Church O.W. "Dub" Efurd Missions Fund 94-293 Anania Drive, Mililani, HI 96789 The Center for Asian Pacific American Women Laura Efurd Scholarship Fund 1750 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Women's Audio Mission 542-544 Natoma Street, #C-1, San Francisco, CA 94103 Txt:Teens Exploring Technology 3655 South Grand Ave, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
