Leila Christensen Obituary

LEILA KEALAMAPUANA CHRISTENSEN February 19, 1936 - October 24, 2023 Born on February 19, 1936, Leila passed away at the age of 87 having enjoyed a long and full life. She was the daughter of Melvin David and Sarah Kealamapuana Kailikea of Nawiliwili, Kaua'i. Her father, Melvin, led an adventurous and dangerous life as an underwater demolitionist in the Pacific theater during World War II using dynamite to open channels for sea-going Navy vessels while fighting off tiger sharks that lurked in the ocean depths. Sarah, a well-known chanter and kumu hula was often called upon for her knowledge of Hawaiian culture, its language, and protocol. Leila's grandmother raised her for a brief time in Waianae, Oahu. As a youngster she enjoyed the country lifestyle, playing in the sand, and swimming in the surf all while being enveloped in the warm aloha of her extended ohana. Summers were spent working at the famous Dole Pineapple Cannery. It was tough work; however, it was one of the few venues where young people could earn spending money. Returning to her beloved home "Luana" on Kaua'i, Leila became a serious student of hula first under her mother Sarah, and then later under the beloved hula dancer, kumu hula, and famed composer Maiki Aiu Lake who was close to the Malina family. Her graceful dancing and lovely hula hands landed her a job greeting and dancing for visitors at the Lihue Airport. Leila decided to spread her wings after graduating from Kaua'i High School and attended Washington State University Pullman. This move led her to the tall handsome medical student, Charles Christensen, the "love of her life." They were married on March 19, 1955, becoming parents of two daughters, Honey Justman and Charlene Ueno. Throughout their lives, they experienced many adventures from living on the slopes of Mauna Kea while working on the Parker Cattle Ranch to spending a lifetime hiking the beautiful forests of Kaua'i and exploring the wonders of the 4,000-foot cliffs on the Na Pali Coast. Their explorations would lead to the discovery of new species of endemic Hawaiian plants that would be named and preserved at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. Because it was their wish to share their love of Hawaiiana with kanaka maoli, kama'aina, and malihini alike, a personal collection of Ni'ihau Shell Leis was donated to the Kaua'i Museum to be publicly displayed. Additional donations were made to Brigham Young University at Lai'e. Leila will always be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, doting grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend. Leila is survived by her husband Charles; daughters Honey and Charlene; grandchildren Dane, Chelsey, Drew, and Devan; great-grandchildren; Camden and Kaimi: and greatly missed by her hanai. A private ceremony is to be held at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC