Lauren Ellsworth Obituary

LAUREN HOKULANI APIKI ELLSWORTH With broken hearts we lament the loss of our treasured daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend, Lauren Hokulani Apiki Ellsworth, who said her final aloha to her 'ohana here on earth to join her 'ohana in the beyond on October 31, 2024. Her loss has left us unmoored and adrift, but we hold fast to the precious memories she filled our lives with, and the unwavering ferocity with which she protected, nurtured and cherished those she loved. Born on August 29, 1958, to parents Walter and Carol Apiki, Lauren grew up on Windward O'ahu with her younger sisters, Karen and Renee, swimming along the gentle shores of Kailua beach and playing beneath the Banyan tree at their Lanikai home. A proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools' Class of 1976, Lauren forged lifetime bonds with her classmates and carried with her throughout her life the foundations of her Native Hawaiian heritage. She later graduated from Utah State University and went on to a successful career as a creative director at The Advertising Works, working alongside her mother and sister. Lauren later founded and ran The LET Academy, a non-profit dedicated to integrating technology into local school curricula. With the help of a grant from Apple Computer, Lauren held workshops for teachers statewide to illustrate how computers could be used in the classroom. She also worked directly with students in two public leeward elementary charter schools to collaborate on environmental issues and publish their findings on class created websites, with DLNR extending grants to the schools for further environmental initiatives. Lauren was happiest spending time with her family. While in her 20's, she cared for and hanai'd daughter Tanya Lei, who grew up as a member of the Apiki household. Later, Lauren raised daughter Leihoku alongside husband J and and as "bonus mom" to Morgan and Kellar, designing and building their beautiful family home in Manoa. Many of her favorite treasured memories were made there, in their tradition-filled holiday celebrations, her afternoons landscaping and caring for her incredible hillside garden or creating handmade blankets and quilts in her sewing room. With the birth of her grandchildren, Orion and Jove (Morgan) and Hokeo (Leihoku), they became the center of her world. Lauren spent most of her last days doing what she loved most - reading books to Hokeo and spending time with 'ohana. Lauren is survived by husband J; daughter Leihoku (Matthew); Hanai daughter Tanya Lei (Nate); "bonus sons" Morgan (Whitney) and Kellar; mother Carol; sisters Karen (Lott) and Renee; grandchildren Hokeo (Leihoku), Orion and Jove (Morgan), Grey, Pryce, and Nixon (Tanya-Lei), nieces Kara and Katie, nephews Dane and Dylan, grandnieces Arielle and Dakota, and grandnephew Dawson. A Celebration of Life for Lauren will be held on August 10th, 2025. To attend, please RSVP at https://www.online-tribute.com/LaurenEllsworth