Cynthia Ululani Carvalho was born on August 10, 1954 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Blessed to have been Hanai'd by her parents, Manuel Stephen Carvalho and Theresa Puukoa Carvalho, her siblings, Manuel, Michael, Moana Carvalho & her children, Steven & Ipo, as well as, Edmund & Steven Chung-Hoon and Danderine Clark. Lani attended Kalakaua Elementary, Moanalua Intermediate & was a proud alumni of Farrington High School's c/o1972, home of the Governor's.On February 22, 1975, at First Pentecostal Church, she married the love of her life, Hilary Keauleleonalani Kanuha. That same year, they welcomed their oldest son, Hilary Keauleleonalani Jr.. The following year, she had their second son, Jamieson Kalawaianui. And 8 years later, she was blessed with their one & only baby girl, Jaye Keawelauiliokalani. Lani & Hilary's children has given them 10 beautiful grandbabies & 1 great- grandchild on the way.
Lani was employed at GTE Hawaiian Telephone company, where she started as an telephone operator in Downtown. She then relocated to GTE's Umi Street location, as an Assigner. After 25 years of service she decided to retire & take on babysitting with her sister, Moana.
On October 23, 2000, in the beginning of her babysitting career, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. It was the most devastating time for her & her family, but Lani being the tough woman that she is, she sat with her husband and children and said, "Hey, look at me, this is not the end of the world! I will beat this! I promise you, & I will not let this bring me down & ruin the rest of my life! Instead I will embrace this, move forward, & enjoy my life..AND SO WILL ALL OF YOU!!." The exact words, coming from the toughest lady that we know. With the support of her family & with the strongest faith & love for our Lord, she beat the disease & was in remission for 13 years. She was a really proud Cancer Survivor!!!
After being cancer free for 13 years, in 2013, on Thanksgiving Day, as she was on her way to her niece's house for dinner, in a freak accident she broke her femur. Yet another scary & shocking moment for Lani & her family. During her hospital stay, she had been advised to follow-up with her Oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Cho, who's been her doctor since the beginning. Dr. Cho then conducted tests to confirm the hospital's concerns. He, once again, to the shock of everyone, diagnosed her with stage 4 breast cancer which this time has spread to her bones. Again with trust and faith in our Lord, she would not let this new diagnosis stop her from living her life to its fullest & she would continue babysitting for an additional 8 years.
Lani provided daily care to many children, from an infant until they would enter preschool or kindergarten. Just like everyone she came to know & love, those children loved their Aunty Lani even more. Moana & Lani were the best babysitters on Oahu, if you know you know! They were over the top when it came to caring for their beautiful babies. They would get numerous referrals & were highly recommended to care for your little ones. After 20 years of babysitting, Lani decided it was time to step away, continue the treatments & spend more time with her husband, children & grandchildren. Her family meant the world to her & she always made it a point to express her love & gratitude to everyone she held near to her heart.
Even while under the doctor's care, she continued to travel to her favorite destinations. As much as possible, she enjoyed visiting her oldest son, JR., her daughter in law, Melinda, & their family in Hana, Maui. Some of the best times & greatest memories were made while enjoying the company of all her family and friends.
After nearly 10 years of cancer treatments & being a human pin cushion for all the doctors she visited, Lani was given the news that the cancer had spread to her liver. Even after being presented with yet another devastating diagnosis, she stayed positive and continued to persevere & would not give up. After shocking all her physicians, exhausting all the treatments available for her type of cancer, and outliving her life expectancy after diagnosis by years, Lani continued to fight the disease with her faith & God's love in her heart. Lani fought a good fight & is the strongest woman we all will ever be blessed to have called our Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister, Cousin, Friend & Aunty Lani. Her purpose here may be fulfilled, but her legacy will live on. We are thankful for you loving us the way you did. We pray you continue your love and blessings upon our entire family & ask, Our Lord & Savior, for the strength to get used to this new normal without you here. We love you!
"Strength and honor are her clothing. She shall rejoice in time to come." Proverbs 31:25
Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
