Kealoha Luana Kekoa August

“Ocean Warrior” was unexpectedly called home by our Creator on October 23, 2023. She was welcomed home by her dear mother Deborah Pualani (Schofield) Blackmon, Tutu Mama (grandmother) Luana Schofield, grandfather Woodburn “Scho” Schofield, baby brother Kalani, cousin "Baby" Ruben Hernandez II, and many furbabies throughout her 41 years. She was surrounded by family and many loved ones as she departed.

“Oha” came into this world a warrior, weighing a little over a pound, on July 7, 1982, to Deborah and Philip Eric August. She not only survived, but thrived. She was a thespian, musician, and excelled scholastically. She learned and performed traditional Hawaiian Hula dances with her mother, her beloved Tutu, some of her Aunties, Uncles, and cousins, from her large and very tight-knit Hawaiian family, the Schofields. For years they performed and traveled together with Hula Halau Pili Hana, Kumu Joseph Leuck.

After high school, Kealoha worked in film production as a Logistical Manager, and is credited with directing in several films. She then attained a BS from Excelsior College, as well as an MBA from Western International University.

She was a realtor with her mom in both sales and property management, then made a career working in admissions for higher education, the last being 2U, Inc., which she enjoyed.

Throughout her life, “Oha” always sought self-improvement, education in all it's forms, self-awareness, and spiritual development. She attended The Landmark Forum several times, and studied Shamanism with her significant other of five years, George Murphy.

She loved to travel, often to Hawaii and Mexico. She traveled to Europe several times; once with dad Eric and his family, and twice with her mom. She visited dad Phil Blackmon in China, and saw much of the US. She loved cooking, eating, visiting with friends, and dancing. She loved the big family get-togethers and loved meeting at her cousin Aaron's place, Luana's Cafe, where she was supposed to meet family, on the day she fell ill.

In 2018, Kealoha and her mother were both diagnosed with breast cancer, and faced it together. After losing her mom in 2020, Oha went on to advocate for women's health via public speaking, and volunteered with St. Mary’s Food Bank through the Wounded Warrior Project.

Kealoha was intelligent, courageous, kind, loving, motivated, inquisitive, accomplished, and patient. She was a lifelong learner devoted to development and growth. Like her mother Deborah, and her Tutu Mama Luana, Kealoha embodied love, light, strength, and positive change. Her smile lit up a room and her warmth drew you in.

She leaves behind many grieving families; her partner George Murphy and his family, father P. Eric August and stepmom Lynev August, dad Phil Blackmon, stepdad Matt Fleischauer, Uncle John & Auntie Darla Schofield, Uncle Woodburn “Woody” & Auntie Jeen Schofield, Uncle Rex & Auntie Patti Schofield, Auntie Kathy Maelani (Schofield) Hernandez, Uncle Morgan & Auntie Jennifer Schofield, cousins Brendon, Jeremy, Justin, Robert, Bryanna, Aaron, Ryan, Morgan, Makoa, Kalani, Malia, Woody, Thelu, Brandon, Malia Brooke, Jordan, Xavier, Bailey, Jax, Jay, Max, Diego Sammy, Evan, Sophia, Declan, Finley, Kalia, Warren Jr., and many more cousins and many more loved ones.

All who loved and cared about Kealoha can join together for a viewing & celebration of life with food & refreshment on:

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

VIEWING:

Private Family & Extended Family Visitation

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Public Visitation

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

West Resthaven Funeral Home

6450 W Northern Ave,

Glendale, AZ 85301

(623)939-8394

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

6 pm – 9 pm

Rio Vista Recreation Center

8866 W Thunderbird Rd

Peoria, AZ 85382

(623)773-8600

For this celebration of life, the family is requesting all attendants to please wear something colorful or Hawaiian, to honor & reflect Kealoha's bright and colorful approach to life.

In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request a donation to Parents of Murdered Children, in honor of Kealoha's cousin Ruben Keahi, who was more of a brother to her.

POMC link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=SGPNZCACXGU7E

Or,

SEEDS OF PEACE,

a peacebuilding and leadership development organization.