The West Maui community bid a fond aloha to an iconic kupuna in December, as Henrietta Heneli Kan Hai Mahuna passed away to her final resting place with the Good Lord above.

Henrietta Mahuna came from a Maui family in which she was the second oldest of 16 children. She met her husband, Soloman, in 1939, and they would be married for 65 years. Together they had seven children, and the family lived in Kaupo and later moved to Honokowai.

Henrietta worked as the only female luna — field boss — in the pineapple fields. She later gained fond affection from villagers on the West Side as the matron at the Honolua Store serving hot plate lunches for many years. She also expressed her deep faith in God as the director of the Sacred Hearts Mission Church Hawaiian Choir, which brought great comfort to visitors and residents alike at the services in the quaint Kapalua church.

She is survived by daughters Hana (Hannah) V. Yarborough (Roger Sr.) and Marie Malia Cyphers (Richard Sr.); 21 grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Kapalua Sacred Hearts Mission Church on Jan. 23, with viewing at 9 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Wailuku at Maui Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Maui Memorial Medical Center, Hale Makua’s medical staff, and Hospice Maui for caring for Henrietta in her last few months.

“It is with great appreciation that they cared for this amazing centenarian woman, our mother, grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, and friend,” the family noted. (By Walter Chihara)