On January 26, 2023, Audrey Kapaihiokanani Aweau Loo, 90, journeyed to her everlasting place to join her daughter Laurie Loo, her parents John and Esther Aweau, her Husband Joe Loo, her son Joseph Jr., her 15 siblings, and her many friends and relatives. During her transitioning, rainbows would appear when she spoke of joining her loved ones that had passed or in conversations about her. At the time of her last breath on earth, two butterflies appeared twirling into the sky, signaling that Laurie was there to accompany her on her journey.
Audrey lived an extraordinary life that blessed her children Iris Loo Spanski, John Loo, James Loo and Damian Loo, grandchildren and great-grandsons. Her last conversations would be her adamantly saying how she loves every one of them with her whole heart. Her big heart extended to the “baby sister” of her big ‘ohana’ her Godsons, loving cousins, and nieces and nephews from both the Aweau and Loo side. Aunty Audrey became a favorite to many of them. The many friends that she collected through her life always had a kind or funny story.
After leaving Hawai’i in 1954 for the Mainland due to her Husband’s military orders, she did not return for decades to live on Kaua’i. Making a new life in Orange County, California and settling into a different culture was a challenge, but somehow, she managed to make everything nice, and more than her family had growing up. Her children didn’t go without because she made their lives full, fun, and full of warmth. They flourished; confident they would always have her to make things better. Her approach to meals and anything she did was full of thoughtfulness, love, patience, and uniqueness.
She picked up automotive skills building out a van and truck to camp with five children along California’s coast, in its forests, and at Camp Pendleton’s San Onofre Beach. In the 60s and 70s she sewed her family’s clothes from Hawaiian prints and rice bags into jams (shorts), hats, shirts and dresses. In this way, her children learned not to forget where they came from. All were welcomed to her home, with many families and hanai children along the way. The Aweau and Loo nephews were always welcome alongside her own children. A passion for bowling took her to many State Tournaments with the California-Hawaiian Kamaiiana Club. Her last bowing league would be with the Seniors at Lihue Bowling Alley.
Retiring as a Accountant then Manager of two service centers at El Toro Marine Corps Base and the Airbase, Irvine, to Kaua’i was very different from her California life, especially to farm 11.5 acres on a Hawaiian Homes farm lot in Anahola. That transition was made a little easier with the women softball and football players her husband, Joe, recruited. She often said that the last batch of kids that came from Kaua’i were the best and most talented. The new friendships she made became her life. She enjoyed her life of planting orchids and flowers, working the land, making leis and lauhala, all of which she taught her grandkids to do. Her years of selling leis, flowers, and fruits at the Kapa’a Sunshine Market and doing poi days at Waipa brought her many years of happiness. Audrey became involved in the community as a founding member of the Anahola Farmers Association and market, Hawaiian Homes Ahupua’a, State Council of Hawaiian Affairs (SCHAA), various Hawaiian groups, and most lovingly, her Ka’ahumanu Kaua’i Chapter membership and involvement.
For Audrey’s ohana there are so many memories of her tireless energy she put into each and every one of them. She was the village that raised her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her longtime and lasting words of wisdom: “Just do your best and that’s all you can do.”
Audrey requested to be cremated, then interred alongside her husband and fourth baby at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl on O’ahu. She will also be celebrated by friends and family at the waterfront of Aloha Tower, Honolulu, Beach House on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00pm
If you would like to come and wala’au or celebrate our beloved Audrey on Kaua’i, please visit her family at her Anahola farm on Sunday, February 26, 2023 between 2-4pm. She will be departing the island the next day.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the Loo ‘Ohana request that any donations be made out to Kaua’i Hospice or Kauai’s Alzheimer chapter.
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