We miss you Blaise. I saw on LinkedIn today that you would have been celebrating your ten year anniversary at work. I know others must have seen that notice... and we all thought of you. Thank you for taking me out to sushi when I visited Honolulu. I thought that was so nice of you. 

Blaise - there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I was so blessed to have known you - to share an office with you for 2 years - for our countless one on ones - and for becoming a better professional simply by you being a part of the Palladium Hall Family. Sometimes I don't believe that your passing is real - too young and too bright of a soul to leave this world so soon. I'm not sure if I told you, but I love you and thank you so much for choosing to work at Palladium and for sharing your creativity, passion, love, and embodying Ohana and Aloha! I miss you so much! May your soul rest in piece. Felicia and Chris - my deepest condolences...I pray for you both frequently. May god give you the strength you need. At NYU his thoughts were always with you and he adored you both.

thank you for being a blessing to so many

Death was not God's original purpose for us, it is something for which we can never be completely prepared. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Hi Blaise, you are one of my most respected colleague. You were so dedicated and detail oriented toward everything you did, no matter big or small things. You did your best in every aspect of your work. I regret that I did not tell you how much I respect your attitude at work. I hope you are feeling peaceful and happy in another world and I hope you know that we will certainly remember you.

Blaise was an amazing person with an incredibly bright future. He will be missed

I met Blaise five years ago when he auditioned at Manoa Valley Theatre for "Once Upon One Time." He was a joy to work with; hardworking, talented and kind to everyone involved in the project. It didn't matter what I asked--he was willing to try any choreography. Blaise and his scene partners stole the show, but he worked with everyone as an ensemble. This was his way--to be a family. 

I did not run into him again until he was getting ready to move to the mainland to pursue higher education, and I remember how excited he was. Blaise was so amazing in that he taught dance and performed, worked hard at his job, and took risks in wanting to move to NY to further his education. He dreamed big and went after his goals. 

When he posted on his Facebook in July that he was back, I wrote to him that I was happy, secretly (and perhaps selfishly) hoping it meant he would come do shows with me again. Talent like his needed to be showcased.

I was blessed to share in Blaise's bright light once. I am deeply saddened that I will not cross paths with his amazing spirit again in this life. He was an amazing person. My sincerest condolences to his family, and I hope that his parents know that they raised a kind, open-hearted, giving person.

I met Blaise my freshmen year at Seattle University. He was my first introduction to Hawaii and the Aloha Spirit. We had a common passion for dance and I had the great honor to dance with Blaise to choreography that he created. He was such an amazing, special individual and encouraged and inspired me in so many ways. I can't believe that he was taken at such a young age, but he lived a full life and impacted so many people around the globe. 

Dear Blaise. I hope that they angels are as fierce as you ;)

Love and Aloha.

I've know Blaise since 2005, we met our first year of Seattle University and he was always an amazing friend to me. I could turn to him for anything, we loved to argue about which power ranger was the best one, he said the red, I said the white one. I talked to him a week before his passing and had I known, I would have told him how much he changed my life for the better, his confidence in me, gave me confidence in myself. He use to call me a crazy mexican hahah. I miss him so much, I am so sorry he had to go, I wish he could have stayed.

Leo Martinez "Beto"

Blaise, I'll miss you even though I haven't seen you in years! Your laugh and over the top personality is how I'll always remember you. Gone too young but not forgotten. Till we meet again...

Blaise was one of the first people I met when I moved to New York. I distinctly remember his warm encouragement when I was freaking out after our program orientation. Blaise was the sort of person you wanted to be around as much as possible because of his energy and his wit, and his zeal for life was palpable and infectious. Blaise was also disciplined, and his comments and questions in class were always interesting and got me thinking a little harder about what we were discussing. I never doubted that he would be successful as a professional within student affairs.

I had a lot of respect for Blaise, and it's hard to believe that a classmate and colleague that I admired is no longer with us. My heart goes out to his family and those closest to him. He was a really wonderful human being, and will be missed very much.

I am so depressed to hear this. In 2012, I started the dance club, Diverse Movement with him as our adviser. We worked real close with each other and helped choreographed our very first performance at Extravaganza. He was very supportive, intelligence, creative, and just plain awesome! I am going to miss him dearly. My condolences to his family.

When I arrived at Seattle University in the Fall of 2010, Blaise and his joyful spirit welcomed me to my new college life. His compassion, passion for creating supportive and inclusive communities, and ever popular choreography colored the most memorable moments of my undergraduate life. Goodbye, Blaise. I'll always remember going on retreats and having movie nights with you.

Any time I think of you Blaise I think of two words FIERCE and MAHRY! You were the happy, cheerful, bubbly, singing, dancing, inspirational friend that everyone wishes they had at some point in their lives; because if they'd known someone half as great as you then there lives would have been just a little bit better than before. Rest in love Blaise.

Blaise, 
You brightened the room wherever you  went. You were such a wonderful person with so much positive energy and heart. I still can't believe that you are gone. Love you.

I met Blaise at during my first day at NYU, we both had graduate assistantships within NYU Housing and were in the same graduate program. He brought so much energy to the table, and built relationships with everyone in our cohort so easily. I remember being in meetings with him, and he always had great ideas and added a new perspective to the conversation. Blaise had passion, drive, and motivation to do what he loved and to share his passions with others. Although we didn't keep in touch very well, he will truly be missed.

Blaise was one of the great people I had the fortune to know and he will be missed. As a person, he was always keeping me on my toes and made me snicker. In the classroom, I was always listening to what he had to share because it was on point. The loss of his energy and sense of humor is profound, and I am proud to say that he was a friend. Mahalo Blaise.

Blaise truly was like no other. We were classmates together in our Master's program, and the world has dimmed without his light. Sending peace and comfort to his family and friends.

I miss you so much my dear friend.  Thank you for the countless laughs and for sharing your years on life with me.  I am so honored to have shared a friendship with you. I will miss you deeply.

Blaise was my classmate at NYU during our Master's program. I will remember him by his kindness and open heart. My deepest condolences to Blaise's family. May he rest in peace. Ameen

Blaise was this amazing mentor and friend from Chaminade University, it saddened me when I heard that he would be quitting from his position at CUH but was also glad because he was resigning to attend graduate school at NYU. 

And so when a friend texted me to let me know of his passing, I couldn't comprehend, I did not want to believe. 

The bubbly person that I once knew, with the big and contagious smile and laugh gone. I don't think so. But then it was confirmed by other friends. All I could do then was pray. In all things give it all to God.

Blaise was an amazing, talented, and gentle person; loved by everyone. He helped me a lot during my undergrad years at CUH. I will miss your smile, great dance moves and humorous nature. God bless. Rest in peace.

Blaise was a pleasure to have in my class on Internationalization  and Study Abroad. I remember how excited he was to return to Hawaii after graduation. At the graduation ceremony he gave us garlands of flowers that will always be a reminder of his love and kindness. May his soul rest in peace

I first saw Blaise in action at Seattle University when he was the President of Hui 'O Nani Hawaii, 2008. It was during SU Hawaii Luau practice. We the parents (his mom was on this trip too) were there to support and helped our kids their biggest fundraising event in SU.  

My daughter introduced me to Blaise and immediately liked him. "Hi Aunty.  How are you?"  He was the calmest person I've seen leading his co-members, making them laugh, taking care of the freshmen. 

Between the dance practice he would instruct them to go to kitchen and "lomi" the salmon or the pork.  He would have them chant in unison. It was fun watching Blaise giving them instruction.

The next time I met him was in May 2009 during their graduation brunch. His family and mine were seated together. I enjoyed conversing with him. He told us of this plans after graduation. 

I knew he worked at Chaminade University. I asked a friend who is a faculty member there if she knows Blaise. Her answer, "Yes. I love him. He is a nice person. He is a friend to everybody."

Blaise, you left this world too soon. You left so many who loves you. You did so many incredible things here that touched so many lives. Rest in peace.

You will be missed!

Aunty Marilyn Heintz

I met Blaise in my Foundations course his first semester at NYU and I also served as his adviser.  Blaise brought commitment, rich insights and passion to his academic life as well as his work in residential life.  During his two years here, he took these strengths and developed into a truly talented professional, using theory and reflection to bring a deep understanding to his work.  He was admired and beloved.  Our students and faculty mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

Ann Marcus, New York University

I am deeply sadden that such a bright star has been taken away so early. Blaise was a shinning start at SU! He will be missed!

Always with a kind smile when we saw each other, always contributing to lively discussion in our courses, always full of positive energy and honesty. Blaise, my heart is so heavy to hear the news of your passing. A few months ago we were celebrating graduating from NYU and talking about the opportunities we were hoping to find in our new professional and personal chapters. Thank you for being such a dear friend during my time in New York. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I met Blaise during the NYU HESA Recruitment Days. Although I didn't end up going to NYU, I definitely remember Blaise for being so kind, so helpful and he always had a smile on his face that definitely helped students like me calm my nerves. He will truly be missed.

Blaise was such a joyful person! He made me laugh but also made me think with the insight that he brought to our higher ed classes at NYU. I am grateful to have met Blaise and know that he did a lot with the time he had, as evidenced by the many people he touched. RIP

I know Blaise from graduate school, and he was an amazing person.  Always ready with a smile and to help out in any way he could. He will be missed!

If I could make yesterday start over for a different result I would. Been a student affairs professional since 2004. Yesterday was one of the tough days. Woke up to news that broken my heart. Lost one of the best people I've ever worked with. I met Blaise Baldonado in 2013 at an interview table. After 3 minutes I knew I loved him and spent the other 27 minutes or so talking about Hawaii and convincing him why he needed to be at NYU and work at Palladium Hall. It worked he chose us and over the next two years he made a significant impact on all he came across. I'm happy that during his last year we were able to celebrate him and ensure he knew how much he meant to us and the organization. I remember Yetty Angelina and I begging him to stay at NYU to restart his professional journey post masters. But like always he knew better and was destined to go back to Hawaii and be with his family. So happy he was able to go back. He was the true embodiment of the Aloha spirit. I find solace that he was able to be in the place he loved with the people that meant the most to him. My thoughts and prayers with his family, friends, my NYU family, and the host of others he touched. I'm reminded to live life to the fullest, not take things for granted and when good things happen a little Blaise "YASSSSSS" will echo in my spirt. RIP Blaise ---a true beautiful sprit.

OBITUARY

Blaise Anthony Kepo'okelaokekai Baldonado

January 3, 1987 – August 6, 2015

Borthwick Mortuary

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