Shirley A. "Kala" Holden

Loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, hoʻoponopono practitioner and servant of God, passed away on April 23, 2023. Born in Waialua, Haleiwa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi on November 26, 1937, Shirley (85) is survived by her husband of nearly 66 years Robert (Bob), sons Bob, Doug and Lance, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and sisters Jean Ponteras, Jackie Miyamoto and Jade Hind.

Kalā traveled across the United States and the world with her parents, Lawrence and Annie Ferguson, and 4 sisters. Graduated from Nagoya American High School in 1955. Married Robert O. Holden in May of 1957 in Abilene, Texas. Continued her journeys across the globe with her husband and 3 boys until 1972. Bob retired from the USAF in 1980. Bob, Kalā and family made Makakilo their home for the next 40 years.

Kalā had a diverse professional career but felt that her most important and rewarding work was as a substance abuse counselor. She worked at the Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Center and Hawaiʻi Addiction Center during the late 80s, Hoʻomau Ke Ola during the mid 90s and held kupuna counseling at Hina Mauka from 2011 till 2023.

Kalā was a dedicated servant of God and celebrated God’s love with her spiritual ohana at St. Barnabas, St. Nicholas and Halau Waʻa Episcopal Churches. It was Kalā’s dedication, leadership and grace that helped bring the Episcopal Church to the Kapolei, Makakilo area. Kalā gracefully served in various leadership roles with Halau Waʻa Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the King.

Kalā’s love for her Native Hawaiian culture and people initiated her involvement with the Hawaiian Civic Club movement. A former member of Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club and as a Charter Member of the ʻAhahui Siwila Hawaiʻi O Kapolei. Kalā’s continued interest in the welfare of the Hawaiian community would extend her civic involvement to Nā Wahine O Kamehameha Chapter 1. Committed to the protection, preservation and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian culture and values, Kalā served in numerous governance and leadership positions throughout her years of service to both organizations.

One of Kalā’s passions was singing, she had a powerful and euphonious voice. Kalā loved to sing, she loved Hawaiian choral music and signing with the church band. Her other passion was crafts of Nā Mea Hawaiʻi. She especially loved hulu (feather works) and hala weaving. Kalā would often have hala roses and crosses that she would give out as personal makana.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Tom Wesley, English cleric, theologian, and evangelist

Celebration of Life: Saturday, June 3, 2023

Borthwick Mortuary - Downtown location - Maunakea Chapel

9:30 AM Visitation. 11:30 AM Service

Aloha attire - If can, please wear something green.

Donations can be made in Kalā’s memory to Shriners at: donate.lovetotherescue.org or Hina Mauka at: hinamauka.org