Edith Leinaala Kanakaole
November 27, 2022
Edith Leinaala Kanakaole, 90, lovingly known as “Edie” by family and friends, passed away 11:24 p.m., Sunday, November 27, 2022 in Hilo, Born November 16, 1932 at Hilo Memorial Hospital in Hawaii; she was a Hilo High graduate Class of 1950; CCH/BYU graduate Class of 1959; Teacher/Educator, 1960-2015, Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City, Utah. She also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Keaau, Hawaii. Activities/Interests; avid bowler, hot-shot pool player, golf enthusiast, football fanatic, master bartender. Celebration of Her Life/ Memorial Services will be held at a later date Survived by sisters, Pualani Kanakaole-Kanahele and Nalani (Sig) Kanakaole-Zane of Hawaii; daughter, Maurine Lupua Yamamoto of Hawaii; Grandsons, Danny Kaanaana Yamamoto, Jr. and Colin Keleko Pumauu Yamamoto; Granddaughter, Clarice Kanohokuahiwi (Brad) Kahele; 18 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorable quotes, transposed ...
Edith Leinaʻala Kanakaʻole born November 16, 1932 is as close to the perfect embodiment of confidence, tenacity and poise as there is. She is never lacking with an opinion, but if you listen carefully, sheʻs also teaching you. Teaching you to think, to perservere, to be unafraid and to dare to be you.
Affectionally known as “GG” to her great-grandchildren (and great-great-grandchild) Edith Leinaʻala calls Hilo, Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi and Salt Lake City, Utah equally as Home. Her feet firmly planted in both Worlds, literally and figuratively. Never one in the spotlight, Edith Leinaʻala shares her strength from the sidelines, as a Teacher, a Kumu does. Sheʻs always there to pick you up, dust you off, show you how, but never does it for you. “...Thatʻs on you. Donʻt stress, and just do it!...” Her love is endless, but then, so is her wit and her sass. Edith Leinaʻala is not laughing at you, but with you. She lives Life to the fullest and expects you to do the same. Her great-grandchildren know, as so eloquently spoken in their words “...GG says something once, does it and moves on...” Life is hard. But Life is also simple. Do not dwell on the what ifs. Do not worry about what you have or have not. Do not think of maybes, I could, I wish. Do, and it will be good. Because YOU did it. That is her strength. That is her legacy. Simple.
With love,
Grandchildren—Danny Jr., Kanoho, Keleko
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