Denise Mai

Denise Mai of San Jose, CA was born on December 22, 1937 at Queens Hospital in Honolulu, HI. She passed away on December 3, 2023. She was welcomed by her parents Harry and Aileen (Hoopale) Ho, her siblings Ivan and Donna, and her children Aleakala (Marianne), Keaopolohiwa (Bill), and Pukonakona (Yanina).

Denise was a member of the Saint Francis School of Honolulu Alumni Class of 1955, attending reunions and keeping in touch with classmates. She later furthered her education by earning an Associate Degree from San Jose State University.

Denise had a remarkable career, starting in the late 50's as a Switchboard Operator for Ma Bell Hawaii. One of her notable achievements was answering US President Eisenhower's phone call to the Hawaiian government granting statehood to Hawaii. In the late 60's, she worked as a Switchboard Operator for the Kahala Hilton Hawaii, where she was filmed and recorded on the original Hawaii Five-0 series. Her appearance on Season 3 Episode 19, titled "F.O.B. Honolulu Part 2," at 18:24, aired on February 3, 1971. To this day, over 50 years later, each time the show aired, she would receive a royalty check from the Screen Actors Guild.

In 1970, while looking for an apartment in San Jose, CA, Denise found employment with the Regency Square Apartments, where she played a significant role in the property's development. She and her children lived in the first completed apartment and planted palm trees that still stand today. In 1973, she became a yard duty teacher and teacher's aide at Rosemary Elementary School in Campbell, CA. Her dedication to the students led them to affectionately call her Mrs. Mai, a name that stuck even as they grew into adults.

Denise also worked as extra help at the Campbell Public Library during the summers which began her career with the County of Santa Clara. In 1977, she was the Chief Switchboard Operator and also worked in Dietary at VMC before moving to the Communications department as a Telephone Services Operator in 1983. She was responsible for the maintenance and operation of every telephone in every office and building of the County and became known as the Phone Lady. In 1999, Denise then returned to VMC as a Telecommunications Specialist, overseeing all VMC communication devices. In 2017, she retired at the age of 79 and received Commendation from the Board of Supervisors and the County Executive.

Throughout her career with the County, she served as a Union Steward in the AFL-CIO SEIU Local 715/521 making countless lifelong friends. Quite active in the Union, she traveled all over the country to attend demonstrations, rallies, and conferences all to promote human rights, fair wages and benefits, and equality for all. She was also a founding member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.

Denise is survived by: her daughter Puaahiahi (Mike); her grandchildren Jessica (Jorge), Nichole (Paul), Holly (Morgan), Kona, and Olivia; her great-grandchildren Kaiden, Dominick, Nicholas, Kalena, Makaio, Kalei, and Ares; her siblings Harry Jr (Cathy), Warren Sr, Seline (Al), Gregory (Stacey), Lou Ann, Anthony (Jamie), Leimomi (Asghar), Doris (Herman), and Edgar (Deb); as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Denise will always be remembered for her disposable Kodak cameras and for her genuine Aloha. She smiled and said Hi to everyone she met anytime anywhere like at the bus stop, walking down the street, in the grocery store aisles, in line at the ATM, at the doctor's office, in the elevator or on the escalator. She would walk into a room full of strangers and with a Huge smile she would yell out Hi I'm Denise! She was Beautiful, Filled with Love and Laughter, Strong, Independent, Resilient, Confident, Honest, Intelligent, Inspiring, Encouraging, She'd give you the shirt off of her back. Denise was Extraordinary.

me kealoha pumehana a pauole

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