Gayla Ann Mahealani Haliniak-Lloyd
Feb. 8, 1962 – Sept. 28, 2025
Submitted by OHA’s Beneficiary Services Staff
Ua lele ka manu i Kahiki.
He haliʻa aloha no Gayla Haliniak, a wahine koa whose life was devoted to her people, her island, and her kuleana to Molokaʻi.
Gayla was a fierce and passionate advocate who was never afraid to speak up on behalf of her community. She was known for her feisty spirit and strong voice, especially when it mattered most. When she spoke, her words carried the mana of Molokaʻi: grounded, fearless, and full of purpose.
She served with deep knowledge, understanding Molokaʻi not just as a place, but as a people. Her advocacy was rooted in her love for Molokaʻi and respect for the voices she represented. She remained unwavering in her commitment, even when standing firm meant going against the grain. She lived for her people, always choosing kuleana over convenience, and pono over silence.
Thorough her 11 years of service to Molokaʻi as a beneficiary services agent with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Gayla gave much of her time and energy to support her island. She worked tirelessly to advocate for Molokaʻi and its residents, always with courage, honesty, and responsibility.
Gayla carried Molokaʻi, not only in her naʻau, but in the deepest part of her being. Her love for her island was ancestral and sacred; it guided every choice she made. She was a protector, a voice of truth, and a warrior of aloha who stood firm when others could not. And alongside her strength was her warmth, her love for her ʻohana, her laugh, and the insights she shared so freely.
Gayla stood fierce and firm in the love of her land, as a champion for her people – and her legacy will continue in the seeds that she planted within us. She will be remembered for her service to our lāhui and aloha for her beloved Molokaʻi Nui a Hina. Aloha nō.
