Marie Yap

In a place known for its unique brand of hospitality, Marie Yap, was the true embodiment of the Aloha spirit. A one-time flight attendant for Trans-Pacific Airlines and a long-time sales associate for Liberty House, Marie's love for travel, adventure, and making new acquaintances never dwindled. She died on July 2 of lung complications just weeks before her 85th birthday.

Born July 21, 1929, in the small town of Kalaheo, Kauai, Marie was the eldest of four children to Julian Sabala and Shandra Sabala (née Vidinha). Marie inherited her family’s good looks and musicality and made good use of it growing up, winning numerous beauty pageants and forming a singing duo with her sister, Juliette, also deceased. The pair were well known on Kauai as the Sabala sisters, and in the years ahead, Marie would often reprise her role as a vocalist performing at the Oasis Night Club in Waikiki alongside musicians such as Trummy Young, or alongside family and friends in front of a karaoke machine.

Marie met her husband, Kam Wing John Yap, through mutual friends. At the time, Marie was a flight attendant for Trans-Pacific Airlines (later became known as Aloha Airlines), where she occasionally came into contact with legends like Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Godfrey. But Marie only had eyes for her future husband, even waiting for him while he fought in the Korean War. They married not long after his return at the Wo Fat Restaurant in 1952. They would go on to have four children, Sandy, Rocky, Jon, and Jason. John, who retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, died in 2010.

Marie had a career of her own at a time when a few wives worked outside of the home. For approximately 20 years Marie worked at the prestigious Liberty House department store, making sales and life-long friends among the customers and other staff. Even after retirement, Marie stayed active through volunteering, line-dancing, and indulging in her other great passion: travel. Besides visiting numerous mainland states with her family, Marie traveled to places like London, Spain, and Amsterdam.

Marie lived for her family and she will long be remembered for her devotion to her children and grandchildren. But mostly, she will be remembered for her zest for life and her unstoppable spirit. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on July 17, 2014 at Borthwick Mortuary - Mauka Chapel. Visitation will be at 10:30am and service will begin at 11am. Burial to follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery at 2pm.

Aloha attire suggested.

Flowers are welcomed.