Shannon Nayah Keheart Racoma
Dec. 5, 1975 – Jan. 31, 2025
Waimānalo, Oʻahu – Shannon Nayah Keheart Racoma of Waimānalo, was born on Dec. 5, 1975, and passed peacefully at her home in San Francisco on Jan. 31, 2025. Nayah was a proud graduate of Kapunahala Elementary, Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate, and Kailua High School Class of 1993. She furthered her education and earned an associate’s degree from Heald Business College, certifications in real estate at the Northern Nevada Real Estate School, nursing at Carrington College in Las Vegas, and pharmaceutical and dialysis technology at City College in San Francisco. Nayah dedicated much of her career to nursing and had a deep interest in the airline industry, learning its many intricacies over the years. Gifted in languages, she was fluent in English, Hawaiian, Samoan, Spanish, Japanese, and French. Nayah loved being with her ʻohana and bringing people together through her cooking, always ensuring that those around her were well-fed and cared for. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Benjamin and Charlotte Kiaaina, and Garciano and Fuamoli Racoma; brother Runi “Buddy” Racoma, Jr.; and niece Kaʻaiʻōhelo Nobrega-Olivera. She is survived by her mother Frances Lokelani (Kiaaina) Racoma of Waimānalo; father Runi Racoma of Wahiawā; sisters Stacey Racoma of Waimānalo, Victoria Puaʻala (Chris) Kimsel of ʻĀlewa, Reena Racoma of Wahiawā, Kela Racoma of Nānākuli; brothers Victor “Budda” (Malia) Nobrega-Olivera of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi, and Rooney Keola Racoma of Wahiawā; 21 nieces and nephews: Genoa, Sharray (Adrina), Shardae “Nayah” (Keiki), Shaydan (Khyla), Kaedan, Taedan, Xaydan, Isaiah, Israel, Fynix, Mahea, Braezen, Braxtyn, Kamakanamaikalani, Ezekiel, Tia, Ikaika, Lily, Kalena, Makamae, and Kamaiyah; and two grandnephews, Kūnuiākea and Pāhili.
Moses Elwood Kalauokalani
Feb. 18, 1941 – Jan. 26, 2025
I ka lā 26 o Ianuali i ka makahiki 2025, uē hāmama ke apoālewa i ka inoa ʻo Moses Elwood Kalauokalani a ua hekili aku nei ke Akua nani. (Hal.29.3) Ua haʻulena he koa nui, he mauna kanaka, he kanaka kapukapu. “ʻOia hoʻi ʻo ko kākou hoahānau mai Aotearoa mai,” i haʻi mai ai ʻo Kahu Paul Nahoa Lucas. He ʻōlelo noʻeau kēia no ka ʻŌlohe lua pilipaʻa ʻo Moses Elwood Kaluaokalani “Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tāne.” He mea paio naʻauao, akā iaʻu iho ʻo ia ʻo ʻAnakala Moke wale nō. ʻO ko mākou hoa kiaʻi, he kanaka hoʻomākeʻaka, he kukuʻi moʻolelo, he mālama i ka ʻawa. He mea nui loa, he kukui, he koa, a he aloha na kāne wahine, na ʻĀnakē Omi. Ua kanikani ka pele ma ka pūʻoʻa ma ka hale pule ʻo St. John’s by the Sea no kāna keiki hānau one no kona haʻalele loa ʻana i ke ao polohiwa a Kāne. Me ka puʻuwai ʻeha a me ke aloha nunui, a hui hou kāua, e ʻAnakala Moke.
On Jan. 26, 2025, the name Moses Elwood Kalauokalani was cried loudly from the highest heavens and the glory of God thundered. The mighty koa has fallen, a mountain of a man, a man of dignity, regal appearance, noble bearing, entitled to respect and reverence. This proverb from our Maori cousins, as told by Rev. Paul Nahoa Lucas translates to “A mighty totara tree from the forest of Tāne has fallen,” signifying the great loss of a significant member of the community who has passed away – a befitting proverb. A formidable opponent, but to me he was just Uncle Moke. Our guardian, a jokester, a storyteller, and keeper of the kava. More importantly, he was the light, strength (warrior), and love of Aunty Omi. The bell rings in the belfry of St. John’s by the Sea for its native son born of this land who has passed on to the realm of Kāne. With a hurting heart and much love, until we meet again Uncle Moke.
– Tribute by Lorrie Ann Santos
