Sheila Loretta Polena Awai

Sheila Loretta Polena Awai, a cherished kupuna, passed victoriously at age 86. Aunty Sheila exemplified her belief of unconditionally loving her Molokai island community. She was a beloved preschool teacher, an advocate towards foster care, education, mental health, and sexual and drug abuse services. She dedicated her life to God and was a faithful member of the Molokai Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 

Our mom passed away peacefully with God’s grace on July 3, 2023, at her home in Kalamaula, Molokai, surrounded by her ‘ohana. She was born on Feb. 26, 1937, in Kalihi, Oahu. She is survived by her four children Candace W. K. Otsuka (Deena Carbullido), Florence K. Awai (Gregory Santiago), Mikalani H. Awai, and Salinas K. (Dustin) Kahookele; predeceased by husbands Sadao Otsuka and Thomas K. Awai Jr., and daughter Sharon N. Awai. She has nine grandchildren.  

Services will be held on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at the Molokai Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kalamaula, Molokai. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with memorial services at 11 a.m. Flowers, lei, bouquets are OK, but please no wreaths.