Leina'ala Teruya Drummond's Obituary
Leina'ala Teruya Drummond, 77, Maui native, passed away on September 18, 2023, at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Puunene on May 28, 1946. She was predeceased by her parents, Christine (Kong) Teruya and Fusho Teruya, husband, John Robert Ian Drummond and brother, Ryan “Kala” “Boy” Teruya. Leina'ala is survived by her son, Kawika Drummond; daughter, Christina Drummond; brother, Asa Teruya; sisters, Leona Asako (John) Medeiros, Iwalani (Benjamin) Bosque, Doreen (Lee) Yamashita, Darlyn Atay, Cindy Saffery; sister-in-law, Gina Teruya and granddaughter, Hawk Drummond Smith. Celebration of Life service will be held on Maui at Kamaole Beach III, Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 9:00am; 11:00am paddle out.
Leina'ala was most well known for being a former Miss Hawaii (1964), the image of the iconic Hawaiian Airlines logo, one of Danny Kaleikini's famous three hula dancers (1967 Kahala Hilton), Co-Owner of Ian's Restaurant and Deli in Pukalani, Maui (~1989-1991) with husband and chef, John Robert Ian Drummond (deceased 2000), Maui County Council Member (1990-1992), founding Program Director at Hawaii Family Forum (1998-2001), realtor, ordained Pastor, active in church ministry and volunteer work, devoted mother and friend of Jesus.
Leina'ala spent the last three years of her life living with her daughter in the beautiful, misty, green forest of Volcano on the Big Island. She enjoyed a quiet, simple life sitting in the sunshine, taking walks in the neighborhood, shopping at her favorite weekly farmers markets, eating as much Waipio poi as she could get and swimming at Richardson Beach in Hilo. Her life will be cherished and remembered every day by spreading the same love, light and Aloha she shared with everyone. Condolences: Christina Drummond, P.O. Box 355, Volcano, HI 96785.
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