HAZEL MAY KEALOHA, passed away peacefully at age 97 into the presence of our Father God and Jesus, with her family by her side, at her home in Waimanalo on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Hazel Kealoha’s celebration of life will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kaneohe, O’ahu on May 31, 2023 at 9:30 am, followed by lunch at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at 1:00 pm.
Hazel was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lloyd Paris Kealoha, Sr. and by her eldest son, Lloyd Paris Kealoha, Jr. Hazel is survived by sons, James Kealoha and Robert Kealoha (Flor), and by daughters, Stacey Kealoha Utu (Sunia) and Lisa Kealoha (Chris).
“Granny” leaves a rich legacy of love for all her family. She will always be in the hearts of her 6 Grandchildren Mary, Lopaka (Sandy), Monica (Russell), Ryan (Chelsea), Keala (Kevin), and Justine (Lyle).
Granny took much joy and pride in and was full of love for every one of her 27 Great Grandchildren. She was so blessed and thrilled to have her 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, fulfilling 5 family generations. Amazingly, Granny never forgot anyone’s birthday or important life events! Hazel had a good memory and was the repository and keeper of family history and genealogy. Familial love and unity were very important to both Granny and Gramps.
Hazel was born on May 31, 1925 to Frank Rodrigues Quintal and Cornelia Jellings Quintal. Hazel’s father Frank Quintal, AKA “Piper Rodrigues”, was a first-class carpenter, a great hunter, fisherman and sportsman, playing football in the 20’s and 30’s with the “Old Town Team”. Through her mother Cornelia Jellings Quintal, Hazel was a direct descendant of Chiefess Nakai Kalima'alu'alu and Isaac Davis, advisor to King Kamehameha I.
Hazel’s place of birth is at Lanikai in Ko’olaupoko, O’ahu. At that time there were only four homes on the beach at Lanikai. Hazel was the fourth of five children. Hazel’s older siblings were Frank Jr., Evelyn Cornelia, Lucille Nadine and the fifth and youngest born in 1927 was Billie Jean. Throughout her childhood, Hazel’s family lived in Kapahulu, Kaimuki and Palolo. One of Hazel’s best memories was when they spent about a year on Molokai with her ohana as her Dad was working on building a house. Hazel had a great love for and had many happy times with her cousins, the Hanchett’s, MaGuire’s, Cockett’s and Lindsey’s.
As a young girl, Hazel attended Ali’iolani, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert Louis Stevenson schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School. While a high school senior, she worked at the Commercial Pacific Cable Co. in the Alexander Young Hotel Building. Hazel remembers that most of the boys left high school either to work at Pearl Harbor or join the services. Hazel recalled that time of WWII and how Pearl Harbor changed many lives on December 7, 1941.
Hazel met the love of her life, Lloyd Paris Kealoha while in the 11th grade and they were married on May 20, 1944. For the first 18 years of their marriage, Hazel was a stay-at-home Mom for their children, Lloydie, Jimmy, Stacey and Bobby. Their first grandchild Lisa was born giving them their second daughter; in Hazel’s words, “a blessing and joy to our family”.
Throughout the 1950’s to early ‘60’s, Hazel and Lloyd spent many happy years at their home on the beach in Waimanalo. The family spent a lot of time in the ocean, paddleboarding, finding glass fishing balls, swimming, water skiing, picnicking, and playing volleyball. Hazel and Lloyd’s home was filled with the Aloha Spirit. Hazel was a great cook and baker, and she enjoyed hosting get-togethers and celebrating special occasions with friends and family.
In 1960, Hazel began attending St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Waimanalo. Lloyd and Hazel both made so many dear friends at St. Matthew’s, and also through the Lion’s Club and the University Extension (UE) program. Hazel volunteered at the church in many capacities, as Secretary for the Bishop’s Committee, the Episcopal Women’s Club, the Altar Guild and as a Sunday School teacher. Hazel, Lloyd and friends from church spent ‘many years volunteering with Luaus and the Coconut Easter Bunny fundraisers. Their faithful and diligent work made it possible to build a new building for St. Matthew’s church, which is also currently one of the sites of Malama Honua Charter School and the Kokua Food Basket.
In 1965, Hazel was asked to become a substitute teacher and taught for 28 years in 20 Windward schools. She was known as “Mrs. K.” and was recognized and fondly remembered by several generations of her students.
In 1966, Hazel and Lloyd moved from Waimanalo Makai to Waimanalo Mauka after the State condemned their property for Park usage. Thanks to the kupuna who have gone before, the Kealoha family is blessed to remain and abide there to this day.
Hazel had a great love for art, crafts, gardening, and plants. From her childhood, Hazel was a big collector of shells, stamps, playing cards, and anything that was beautiful to her. Hazel was a very organized person and had an attention to detail. Throughout the years, she faithfully documented her family history chronologically in photo albums.
After retirement, Hazel kept busy collecting educational and cultural material, making more than 100 albums of Hawaiiana history and culture which she was so happy to share with friends, family, and in places of business in the community. Up through her final days of life, Hazel spent many hours on her adult coloring books, always with a pop of yellow to match her bright and sunny spirit!
Hazel Kealoha lived a good life. She was a kind and loving person, and a good role model and matriarch for her family. She knew her Father God and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was so thankful for all of her blessings in life, and for the joy and hope of joining her husband and her Ohana in Heaven.
Thank You, God for the life of Hazel May Quintal Kealoha, a blessing to us all and forever in our hearts.
Aloha O’e, Until We Meet Again.
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