Lahaina resident, Irene Hueu Kalawaia, 86 passed away on November 17, 2020 at her home in Lahaina, Hawaii. Ms Kalawaia was born on September 1, 1934 in Keanae, Hawaii to James Kalawaianui Hueu and Esther Kekahuna. Aunty Irene was a hard worker that would do anything for anyone. She was a tough, strict lady that did not compromise but was compassionate.

She raised most of Aunty Sarah Ahkuna and Uncle Hanalei Kaauamo’s keikis in Keanae. She took them to the taro patches in the mornings on the peninsula to work, brought them back home for lunch then back to the taro patches in the afternoon. She was their second Mom. She was well known in Keanae, Lahaina and Lanai.

She is survived by her children, Leimomi (Leo) Santana, Ellsworth Kawehi Kalawaia and Bennett Keola (Myleen) Kalawaia; brother Jacob (Rosita) Hueu and her nine grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her siblings, James (Margaret) Hueu, Nancy (Alfred) Ihu, Sara Ah Kuna (Henry) Kaauamo, Nellie (Fred) McCarthy, Lois (Larry) Cummings, Frankie (Mariah) Hueu, Joe Emmsley, Angeline Apo, Mary L Hueu, Mary K Hueu, Laura Engoring, Abraham Kaina, Joseph Lanoza Jr (Ipo), and Abraham Lanoza (Betty).

Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 11362, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
The family will be streaming live on Facebook on Leimomi Santana’s feed.