Harry Kahuku Purdy Jr.
Harry Kahuku Purdy Jr., of Anahola, passed away on Oct. 9, 2024, at the age of 82. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on April 15, 1942, and worked as the Contraflow Truck Driver for the Hawaii State Department of Transportation.
He was preceded in passing by his sons Harry Purdy III, Jonathan Purdy, parents Harry Kahuku Purdy Sr. and Vivia Kaopuiki.
Harry is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Everhart Purdy, eight children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on Oahu at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary (Waipio Location) at the Makai Chapel on Jan. 4, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at Mililani Memorial Park.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Elma Leilani Kaneakua
Elma Leilani Kaneakua (1938 – 2024), age 86, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Kapahi, while surrounded by her family, in the early hours of Nov. 24, 2024, after her fight with Parkinsons Disease.
Born on May 1, 1938, on Kaua‘i Island, in the Territory of Hawai‘i, Elma grew up surrounded by a large family of 8 siblings, many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Her family influenced her to be a loving, patient, kind and dedicated person who always put the needs of others ahead of her own and she incorporated that as a mother, wife and memah.
Elma was a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools class of 1956, where she aspired to her creative skills and fashion design. Summer breaks at home were spent working at the pineapple cannery with Hawaiian Food Packers where Pono Kai Resort sits today. After graduating, she worked as a telephone operator for Hawaiian Telephone Company on O‘ahu, then moved back home and was employed at The Coco Palms Hotel.
On April 14, 1962, she married her love, Larry Napu‘umanamana Kahaunaele of Anahola. They had a daughter, Helene Ku‘uleimamo Kahaunaele and made their home in Kapa‘a.
After 30+ years, and the devastation from Hurricane Iniki, she retired as the Executive Secretary for the Hotelier, the late Mrs. Grace Guslander, to dedicate her life as a Caregiver for both her parents.
Elma was well known for her beautifully designed, award-winning Hawaiian holoku and her prize-winning lei-making. She enjoyed being outdoors with her plants but her passion was designing costumes for Helene and her cousins when they were little girls performing with their Kumu Hula, Joseph Kahaulelio every Sunday night at the Sheraton Kauai.
Affectionately known as Elma, Aunty Lani, Memah, Tutu… she was Memah to all the kids, known by so many, and an inspiration to everyone she encountered.
Elma was preceded in death by her parents James Ne‘ene‘epua’ilihau Kaneakua and Louise Elizabeth Keali‘ikalepa o kololou o nalalaniali‘i o Kamehameha Kaha‘ule (Kamanuwai) Kaneakua, brothers Henry Ke‘alakalae Kaneakua (Odetta Miner), William Kaneakua (Anita Bonilla), sisters Pauline Leimomi Wise (Milton), Eloise Ululani Oclit (Fendel “Ding”), Adeline Kaneakua, Helene Kaneakua and ex-husband Larry Napu‘umanamana Kahaunaele.
She is survived by her brother James Keoua Kaneakua (Beverly Apao “Lei”), daughter Helene Ku‘uleimamo Kahaunaele-Akiona (Holbin III), 6 grandchildren, 15 ½ great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and hanai mo’opuna.
A Celebration of her Life will be on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at the Kapa‘a First Hawaiian Church. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by her service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with burial at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens in Kapaia. The family has a GoFundMe page where you can leave your sentiments and words of aloha if you cannot attend.
Helene and the family would like to extend their deepest and warmest thank you to her medical providers and staff at Kaua‘i Medical Center and Wilcox Hospital, The Office of Elderly Affairs (Samantha Souza) and their providers, Kokua Health, Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea, Kaua‘i Hospice, Miss Riza Pena, and Caregivers, nieces Tammie Miner, Eva Joy Miner-Peru, Ginger Kaneakua and Mita Kaneakua, her granddaughter Kahealani Alapai Lum, and Helene’s daughters-in-law Cheyenne Rodriguez and Sheana Alapai, for taking such wonderful care of my mom, our memah.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary in Koloa is handling arrangements.
Richard (Ricky) Kaeo Jr.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard (Ricky) Kaeo Jr., who passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on Nov. 29, 2024, at the age of 74.
Ricky was born in Lihue, Kauai, on Jan. 1, 1950. Ricky was a retired grounds maintenance worker at Kauai Lagoons Golf Course where he spent many years dedicated to his work. He was known for his kindness, hard work and love for the outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard T. Kaeo Sr. and Helen Kamehiro Anderson, half siblings Lorraine Hoeae and Harry Okahashi.
Ricky is survived by his sisters Linda (Joey) Silva, Cynthia McKnight, Debra Robertson, half siblings Arnold (Nito) Anderson, Brian Anderson, Terry Ihu, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A private prayer service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Jan. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at Niumalu Outrigger Canoe Club at Kalapaki.
Ricky will be deeply missed by his family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
