Henrietta Heneli Kan Hai Mahuna's Obituary
Henrietta Heneli Kan Hai Mahuna, 102, of Honok¬ōwai, Maui, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022, with loved ones by her side at Hale Makua, Kahului, Maui.
Survived by: Daughters: Hana (Hannah)V Yarborough (Roger, Sr), Marie Malia Cyphers (Richard, Sr.).
21 Grandchildren, numerous Great-Grandchildren and also Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Pre-deceased by Husband: Solomon David Mahuna. Children: Solomon Kolomona Mahuna, Charles Kalehua Mahuna, Henrietta Heneli Owen, Dawn Mahuna- infant, David Mahuna- infant. Grandchildren: Wesley Reeves, Brian Reeves, Richard Cyphers, Jr. Great-grandchild: Russell Dane Yarborough.
Parents: Kong Hai & Emalia Haili. Siblings: Marie Malia Kahula (Henry), Elsie Lawson (Allen Peters), Walter Kan Hai (Mary Fernandez), Isabelle Halemano (Robert), Frederick Kan Hai, Ruth Naomi Eharis (Francis), Boniface Kan Hai (Elizabeth Naopu), Julia Kelii Nelson (Herman). Half Siblings: Peter Kahuila (Lorna Piʻimauna), Maleka Kahuila, Evelyn Luhiwa Ildefonso (Tony), Edward Kaui Kahuila (Fanny Kalama).
Service will be at Kapalua Sacred Hearts Mission Catholic Church on January 23, 2023.
Viewing 9am – 10:45am, Mass 11am – 12pm. Burial to follow at 2pm in Wailuku at Maui Memorial Park.
The Journey: Born in 1920 in Kīpahulu, Maui, Henrietta was the second oldest of 16 children. When she was a young girl, she was hanai’d by her grandparents, Wainee and Kekahu Haili, who lived off the land growing taro and other food sources. While still a young girl of 9 years old, her grandparents died and she went back home to live with her mother, father and siblings. Life in those days were hard as they depended on taro from the uplands, ulu and sweet potatoes. They’d also go to the beach for fish, limu and `ōpihi. Being one of the oldest, Henrietta was depended upon on to get wood for the fire, cooking, cleaning and washing clothes in the stream. She also had to care for her many brothers and sisters.
In 1939, Henrietta met Solomon, her husband of 65 years. They lived in Kaupō and then moved to Honolua in 1942. Together they had 7 children, 2 of which died as infants. In 1955, the family moved to Honokōwai which remained as their final residence.
Henrietta worked for Baldwin Packers as the only female Luna in the pineapple fields. She later worked at Honolua Store for the owner/manager, Shoon Tet Hew. She was the main store clerk who later became Mr. Hew’s valued assistant. She started Mr. Hew’s laundromat because she saw the need for the seasonal pineapple field workers to wash their dirty work clothes. Then she observed that tourism was growing as the condominiums were starting to be built in the area. She convinced Mr. Hew that he could make money by purchasing a few cars and renting them to returning visitors. It was a big success. With the boom in construction on the west side, the construction men would frequent the Honolua store to buy their lunches and snacks. But the only hot lunch the store served was hot dogs. Being that Henrietta was a great cook, she suggested/or Mr. Hew suggested, that they make lunch plates from the kitchen at the back of the store on a trial basis. The trial turned into the iconic food stand that carried over to ABC store today.
Henrietta, with her strong faith in God, was also the choir director for Kapalua’s Sacred Hearts Church Hawaiian Choir. She led the choir for many years often convincing her family members to join the choir to sing for the Lord.
Henrietta’s extra special skill was sewing and the making of Hawaiian quilts. She would often sit for hours working on her own designed quilted patterns. Family and friends would often sit and talk story with her while she quilted. Passing visitors would often see her quilting from the roadside and stop to inquire. Henrietta enjoyed talking to anyone who inquired about her quilting, and she made many friends from around the world. Family members that received one of these special & precious quilted blankets have a special gift to treasure.
The family would like to thank Maui Memorial Medical Center, Hale Makua’s medical staff & Hospice Maui for caring for Henrietta in her last few months. It is with great appreciation that they cared for this amazing centenarian woman, our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt and friend.
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