Elsa Cadiente Cacalda

Elsa Cadiente Cacalda, 84 of Makawao, passed away on December 7, 2025, under the care of Hospice Maui with family at her side. She was born on October 11, 1941 in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

Elsa graduated with a nursing degree from Far Eastern University (FEU) in 1961. Elsa started her nursing career in the Mid-west when she and several filipino nurses were assigned to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

She also spent time as a nurse in Quebec, Canada. While in the Midwest a close friend, and co-graduate of FEU, connected her to a young enlisted man who was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado. This young soldier would become her future husband Rudy.

Following her husband’s discharge from the U.S. Army, they traveled back to Maui where her husband’s family made their home. On Maui, she pursued becoming a registered nurse in the State of Hawaii and started work at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Her calling, steered her to Hale Makua Wailuku. She spent time in Home Health, however she was lead back to Hale Makua, Kahului where she worked for the remainder of her career where she retired.

Her compassion for helping others gave her courage in the late 80’s when the AIDS epidemic started and Hale Makua admitted the first AIDS patient. Her strong Catholic faith connected to her work she believed it emulated the work of Fr. Damian of Kalaupapa to help those who were feared and outcast.

She loved spending time with her family, helping other people and was generous to a fault. She was an active member of the Christ the King and St Joseph Filipino Catholic Clubs.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rogelio “Rudy” Cacalda; 2 sons, Joseph Cacalda, Francis Cacalda; a sister, Maria Teresa Llanes; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Ballard Family Mortuary; visitation starts at 5:30pm; prayer service will begin at 6pm. Services will also be held at St. Joseph Church in Makawao on Saturday, January 10, 2026 with visitation to start at 9:30am, Eulogy at 10:30am; mass to begin at 11am.