Dianna Kaalolani Yuk Lan Kaulili Phillips was born in Lihu’e and raised in Po’ipu, spending her formative years picking ‘opihi and fishing. She was student body vice president at Koloa School before attending Kamehameha Schools. Being a home body, Dianna returned to Kaua’i and graduated from Kaua’i High in 1970.
Thereafter, Dianna joined Hawaiian Telephone Company as an operator. She continued her education, graduating with a Bachelor and Master in Social Work from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in 1983. On Kaua’i, Dianna had a long career dedicated to advocacy, working with Native Hawaiians at Alu Like, children and families at Child Welfare, and the Department of Health Developmentally Disabled branch.
Dianna is the 4th of six children and is survived by: Donna (Henry) Kupahu, Doreen Kaulili, Springwater (Verna) Kaulili, Danette (Kevin) Takahashi and Debby Kaulili.
Meeting her husband Kelley in 1984, the couple were wed and had a son Andrew in 1986, and a daughter Sara in 1990. Wishing her children to carry their Hawaiian roots, Dianna enrolled both kids in Hawaiian Language Immersion.
Dianna was also a sports fan, taking pleasure in watching her children and grandchildren’s games. Blessed with four grandsons, ‘Akahi, ‘Aukai, Eli, and Lamaku and one granddaughter, Lily, Dianna had many an occasion to spend at the ballpark laughing for hours with her daughter-in-law Ha’e.
Dianna lived a rich life, leaving behind a legacy of service to her community. She will be loved endlessly.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18