Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 2, 1 February 2022 — NORA KU'ULEI THOMAS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NORA KU'ULEI THOMAS

V HALI'A ALOHA S ^ FOND REMEMBERANCE *

To create a space for our readers to honor their loved ones, Ka Wai Ola will print Ha/i'a Aloha - obituaries and mele kanikau (mourning chants). Hali'a Aloha appearing in the print version of Ka Wai Ola should be recent (within six months of passing) and should not exceed 250 words in length. All other Hali'a Aloha submitted will be published on kawaiola.news. Hali'a Aloha must be by the 1 5th of the month for publication the following month. Photos accompanying Hali'a Aloha will only be included in the print version of the newspaper if space permits. However, all photos will be shared on kawaiola.news.

(JULY 17, 1927 - DEC. 10, 2021)

Nora Ku'ulei Thomas, 94, of Makawao, Maui, passed away peaeefully at her home surrounded by 'ohana on Dee. 10, 2021. Nora was born on July 17, 1927 to Mary Palama and Demas Paeheeo in Kelso, Washington. Raised in Kalihi, O'ahu, Nora married her kolohe neighbor,

Joseph Mahuna Thomas in 1946. They had eight ehildren, 23 grandehildren, 67 great-grand ehildren, and two great-great-grandehildren (and eounting). She was predeeeased by, and now reunites with her husband, Joseph; ehildren, Tommy, Alana, and Joann, and eountless kūpuna. She is survived by her ehildren Kaipo, Landa (Lamont), Naomi (Paul), Joe, and Lei (Steve), and her many mo'opuna. Throughout her life, Nora was a housewife, hard worker, and beloved mother. As an armed serviees family, she ereated homes all over the world. After returning to Hawai'i, they built a home in Wai' anae, O'ahu, a pu'uhonua to many of their ehildren and mo'opuna. After her husband's passing in 2012, Nora built a new home in Makawao, Maui, where she had fur children, Pretty Girl, Calli, and Kiwi. Coming from a mo'okū'auhau of musicians, she loved singing and dancing. She was known for her 'ono cooking and baking, like her beef stew and mango bread. Nora was also an exquisite crafter, creating detailed blankies, quilts, collages, stuffed animals, embroidery, and knitting. A private celebration and family burial service was held on O'ahu on January 19 after whieh she was laid to rest with her husband. If you would like to pay your respects, please direct correspondence to Naomi at kilokeanuenue@gmail.com. ■