Haliʻa Aloha | July 2023

Monette Ululani (Souza) Yagodich
Dec. 8, 1952 – May 23, 2023

Monette Ululani (Souza) Yagodich, 70, of Waiehu, Maui, passed away peacefully at Hospice Maui Hale on May 23, 2023, after four days of prayers, visits, and expressions of aloha surrounded by family and friends.

Yagodich was born on Dec. 8, 1952, to Walter Edward Souza and Rosamond Lokelani Kahookele in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. She was raised in Honolulu and graduated from McKinley High School in 1970. Yagodich continued her education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, receiving a B.S. and M.S.W. in social work in 1976.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)

Yagodich’s life focused on being of service, especially to Hawaiʻi’s youth, opening up opportunities to those who were disadvantaged. She was a social worker at the Department of Human Services working with foster children and child abuse victims. At the University of Hawaiʻi College Opportunities Program, Yagodich counseled young adults from groups underrepresented in the university system. She went on to become director of the Hawaiʻi’s Youth at Risk Program. Yagodich later opened Choices Plus, a clothing store, which she ran successfully for 10+ years. Choices Plus was founded to support Hawaiʻi’s women.

Yagodich is survived by her husband Darrell Conrad Yagodich, her son Makia John Kahookele (Hannah) Yagodich, her sister Puanani Bridget (Douglas) Moore, her niece Kimberly Kehaunani Moore (Chappel), her in laws: Frank John (deceased) and Emmaline (Salvador) Yagodich, Francine Kehaulani Yagodich, and Dorothea Napua (Stephen) Ripani, her nephews: Frank John (Jennifer) Yagodich III, Stephen Kaeo (Taryn) Ripani, Shane Kekoa (Tiana) Ripani, and large ‘ohana.

Her ashes will be scattered along with her mother, Rosamond’s, ashes in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday July 30, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made toward a memorial bench in her honor. Please direct any questions to darrell.yagodich@gmail.com.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:04)