Obituary of Minerva Ku’uipo Hohaia

Minerva was born on December 26, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her parents, Joseph Naehu and Minerva Pualani Nahiwa, raised her on the island of Oahu. After graduating from Leilehua High School, Minerva attended the LDS Church College on Hawaii, where she earned a degree in Physical Education. It was while attending college that she met her sweetheart, Luman Raki Hohaia, of Northland, Auckland, New Zealand. They were married for time and all eternity in the Laie, Hawaii LDS temple on January 29, 1972. Early in their married life, Luman joined the U.S. Army, which took them across the United States, from Texas to New Jersey, and finally to Washington State. As they began their family, they welcomed twin sons, Joseph Palani and Luman Kapono. They were joined by Keith Maikai, Elizabeth Ku’uipo, Kia Alexander and Christopher Kamaki. As her children married and started their own families, Minerva delighted in being a grandmother to her 14 grandchildren. Minerva was always a hard worker. To pay for her first year of college, she performed back-breaking work in the Pineapple fields of Wahiawa. While in college, she served as secretary to the college president and went on to become a professional dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Minerva’s love of sports and the outdoors led her to a career managing sports facilities and serving as a coach, referee and camp director. Her adventurous spirit led the family on many memorable vacations around the country. Although Minerva moved away from the islands, her love and passion for her Hawaiian culture never faded. She shared this with her own children and then others, as she taught keiki hula to young people for many years. Minerva passed away on February 9, 2015, at the age of 64. Following services in Lacey, Washington, she will be buried at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe, in her beloved Hawaii. She is survived by her loving husband, Luman Hohaia; her six beautiful children: sons, Joseph Palani Hohaia (Karen), Luman Kapono Hohaia (Tiffany), Keith Maikai Hohaia (Lacey), Kia Alexander Hohaia (Somnang), Christopher Kamaki Hohaia (Franchezka); and daughter, Elizabeth Kuuipo Grimes (Travis); and 14 beautiful grandchildren. She also is survived by brothers, Wadsworth Naehu, Blaise Naehu; sisters, Wanda Salas and Ethel Naehu. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Kenneth Ku’aloha Naehu, Joseph McKay Pomaikai Naehu, Kenneth Kawika Naehu; and sister, Marcedes Ilima “Honey Girl” Naehu. Please leave memories of Minerva or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.