Lynnette Kaleiilimaokalani Ku-Gomes

May 14, 1944 – June 10, 2020

Lynnette ‘Lei” Kalei'ilimaokalani Ku-Gomes, 76, of Kawanui, passed away peacefully at home on June 10, 2020, with her family by her side. She was born and raised in Kawaihae, Hawaii. She attended Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus, and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1962.

Upon returning home to Hawai'i Island, she later became a waitress at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and at the Kona Lagoon Hotel. She moved to Kawanui in 1972 where she married, and remained there and raised her family. She later became a prep cook at Hong Kong Chop Suey in Captain Cook, Hawaii. In the early 1980's, she started her own restaurant, Shir-Lei's Okazuya. She was also the President of a non-profit organization called Kokua Ohana Club. They provided services for developmental disabled adults, taking them out into the community; where beach days and camping were just a few things they would do. She also advocated for the club to provide Community Services for individuals within the court system, having them to work alongside the club's participants. Upon retirement, she decided that as a family, we were going to be picking coffee. She enjoyed being active and being with her family. Going fishing "holoholo" was her favorite past time.

She is survived by her husband Thomas; son Eli "Kalani" L. Ku, Jr. of Wailuku, Hawaii; daughter Alice "Nalani" (Jay) Velez of Kawanui; brother Solomon N. Akau Jr. of Kaneohe, Hawaii; sister Diane P. Hillen of Kawaihae, Hawaii; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins nieces, nephews, and brother and sister-in-laws as well as hanai children and hanai grandchildren.

Lei lived her life with determination, strength, courage, grace and the belief that God is her Lord and Savior. She faced her health challenges with those same qualities. Lei was a true Warrior.

The family would like to extend their sincere Mahalo to the many physicians, nurses and other medical professionals from Kona Community and Queens Cancer Centers, and Hospice of Kona for their dedication and compassion.

Celebration of Life services will be announced at a later date.