Lena Lehua Fonoimoana Siaosi

Lena Lehua Fonoimoana Siaosi, 52, passed away peacefully at home in Laie, Hawaii on August 31, 2024, after battling cancer for over 15 years.

Lehua was born November 18, 1971 in Faga’alu, Tutuila, American Samoa. She was raised in Laie, Hawaii and has lived in many cities throughout Southern California and Utah. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1991 to 1993. She married Uiti Ielu Siaosi on November 9, 1996, and they welcomed their son, Samuel Kealakaipono “Pono” Tamafetu Siaosi, into the world on April 5, 2000. She worked for 20 years as a musician at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Lehua lived full to the brim of faith, bringing so much joy to all who knew her. She loved to tinker and to paint, and she was exceptional at making beauty and functionality out of very little. Storytelling was important to Lehua, and she shared that passion constantly. Music was also an integral part of her life, and whether professionally or personally, she used it share kindness to the world. She formed deep and lasting friendships, was adored by her nieces and nephews, and remained devoted to Uiti until the day he died. And through it all, her greatest honor was raising her son Pono.

Lehua’s battle with cancer was truly unique, as it had expressed in several vital organs over the span of nearly two decades. She fought back against the many treatments, surgeries, and pain with pure grace. Through her positive and determined mindset, she outlasted and outlived dozens of loved ones around her. The ending of her battle, though sorrowful for those who miss her, marks an absolute victory.
Lehua is preceded in death by her husband, Uiti; her parents, Carl and Nalani Fonoimoana; her sisters, Sapi Fonoimoana and Nalani Young; and her brother, Opapo Fonoimoana. She is survived by her son, Pono, 2 brothers, 6 sisters, and 46 nieces and nephews.