Gwendolyn Fernandez Kaulili

Born on December 30, 1953, in the serene Waikāne Valley on the East Side of O‘ahu, Gwendolyn grew up surrounded by the island’s natural beauty, which nurtured her lifelong devotion to her ‘ohana.

As a young woman, Gwendolyn moved to Kahalu‘u, where she raised her two sons, Peter and Patrick. In 1982, Hurricane Iwa led to a temporary relocation to Waimānalo, before the family settled in Kailua in 1983. There, she met Samson Kaulili, the love of her life, whom she married in 1989. Though Samson passed away in 2012, their bond remained a cornerstone of her life.

Gwendolyn had a remarkable gift for remembering birthdays, from close family to distant relatives, even those who had passed away. She cherished these occasions, making heartfelt calls to celebrate each person’s special day, keeping her ‘ohana connected through her thoughtfulness.

Her vibrant personality shone through her signature dark sunglasses—her “shades”—and her beloved Japanese Otafuku slippers, worn with pride everywhere she went. Her love for cute frogs adorned everything from photos to phone cases, reflecting her playful spirit. Her home echoed with the chatter of Sami and Owen, her cherished parrots. She delighted in foods like beef tomato, boiled crab, butterfish, ham, Filet-O-Fish, Hawaiian food, watercress soup, plus KFC’s original recipe with biscuits. She cheered for wrestling matches with her sister Linh and savored Las Vegas adventures. Gwendolyn also loved playing Angry Birds, Club Pogo games, plus jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and word games. As a hanai mother, she welcomed many into her ‘ohana, and her warm, generous spirit fostered close bonds with her Kailua neighbors, who cherished her as a friend and confidante.

Gwendolyn is survived by her sons, Peter and Patrick, her brother Clayton, her sisters Linh and Gerry, her niece Jamie-Linh, her nephew Kimo, and a wide circle of ‘ohana and friends who will carry her aloha forward. Her bold spirit and unmistakable style will live on in their hearts.

“I remember days when we were smiling / When we laughed and sang the whole night long.” — Ku‘u Home O Kahalu‘u, Olomana