Eleanor K. Poaipuni

On August 19, 2026, Eleanor Poaipuni, 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Waiohuli, Kula, surrounded by Hawaiian music, family and love.

Eleanor was born on December 31, 1941 in Keokea, Maui. She and her siblings were raised on the grounds of Kula Hospital, where their Father, David Keau Sr. drove the ambulance and Mother, Josephine (Moniz) Keau was a nurse.

Eleanor moved to Paukukalo to live with her grandmother, Bibiana Moniz, when she received a scholarship to attend St. Anthony's Girls School. Proud members of the Class of 1959, it was her freshman year at St. Anthony where she met and fell in love with a tall, handsome, athletic, Hawaiian young man from Haleakala Ranch, Jonah Poaipuni Jr. After graduation, she attended and graduated from the Stenographic Institute of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu.

Eleanor's career began at Kula Hospital, Maui Dry Goods and later retiring after 30 plus years with the County as a Private Secretary with the Department of Liquor.

On November 26, 1960 Eleanor & Jonah were married at Our Ladies Queen of the Angels Church in Keokea. Soon after they welcomed the birth of their daughter Joanne Iwalani, a few years later, their son, Sheldon Louis and then a daughter Loriann Noelani. Together they endured the passing of Sheldon in November of 1970. A few years later the birth of their last child, a daughter, Leeann Aolani. In February of 2006, they would mourn the loss of their daughter, Joanne.

While juggling a career and family, she took golf lessons at Waiehu Golf Course so she could golf with Jonah. She was active in numerous golf clubs, including Hawaiian Girls, making sure to check her stats in the Sports section of the Maui News. She and Jonah traveled inter-island or to the mainland for golf. She loved the game of golf and often found herself at the 19th hole, even though she didn’t drink.

The joy was not just getting together with their friends; the highlight for her was listening to Jonah sing. She always looked at him like it was the first time she heard him. The look of adoration, pride, love. When asked recently what her favorite songs were, her response was, whatever songs dad sang. She loved him with everything and he felt the same about her. They were living proof that together they could face any obstacles that life threw at them.

Eleanor was a great mom and gramma, we were so fortunate to have her in our lives. She cheered us on when good things happened and supported us when times were tough. She loved us unconditionally and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. During her illness she provided great examples of stubborness, while also exemplifying the strongest woman we’ve ever known. Mom really was our example of Mana Wahine.

Throughout life’s challenges she continued to take care of us, made sure we ate and willing to help us in our time of need. There will always be a missing link, a smile missed, silence longing for her voice, a crossword puzzle left unfinished and a Daisy Duty waiting to be driven.

There is no one like her and we are forever grateful for a life well lived, the quiet strength she gave, the food she made, the love she shared, and most of all we will miss the soft spoken woman we called Mom and Gramma, We Love You. We will watch Wheel of Fortune and whisper, Stupid, just for you.