Jerry Mikahala Kaiwi

Jerry Mikahala Kaiwi, 84, of Kula, Maui passed away at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center on May 9, 2024 with her loving family by her side. She was born on October 9, 1939 in Waiheʻe and was raised in Waiheʻe and Hāna.

Known affectionately as “Tūtū”, she could always be seen at school and sporting events supporting and cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jerry enjoyed sewing her specialty being patch blankets. She like to travel. Las Vegas was her favorite vacation destination. She was a great cook and expressed her love by being in the kitchen, whipping up a spread for her loved ones to feast. Her tomato cake was the best.

She was an avid nutcracker lover, having collected over 1,000 nutcrackers. She would start decorating her home in October. She took pleasure in hosting her family and friends at her annual Christmas nutcracker party and would get excited and competitive once bingo started.

Jerry started working at a young age to help her mom, Kalehua, after the passing of her dad Domingo. Later on, Jerry worked at Hāna Hotel, Haʻikū Head Start, Pāʻia Post Office, then retired from Pāʻia School as a cafeteria worker.

A devoted wife to her late husband Joseph K. Kaiwi and an incredibly loving and wise matriarch, Jerry lived her life generously and did what was right. Her family is fortunate to have had such a strong, loving and wonderful role model. She truly carried the essence of Aloha in all that she did.

Jerry is survived by her 6 children Hyde Batson, Cheryl Padaken, Josephine “Jojo” Gabuat, Jeri-Jo (Maury) Sagawinit, Val (Clinton) Rilveria and Joe “Son” (Karilee) Kaiwi, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

We miss our Tūtū so much. We are grateful for the time that we had with her and all the shared memories. We will always remember her smile, laugh, big loving heart and spunkiness. We know that she will forever live on through all the lives that she touched.

Visitation will be held at 9am on Saturday June 29, 2024 at Ballard Family Mortuary in Kahului; service to begin at 11am with cremation to follow.