Kawen Toagamau Segaula Young was a legendary Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community leader, held in the highest esteem by everyone from fellow community organizers to legislators to her dear friends and family. On Sept. 27, 2021, after more than a year leading the SoCal Pacific Islander COVID-19 Response Team's war on COVID, Kawen lost her own long battle with heart disease. This GoFundMe campaign is raising funds to help cover the Young family's final expenses, with any excess to be used to launch a scholarship in Kawen's name.

Whether she was discussing Pasifika with the President in the Rose Garden, burning the midnight oil to secure a federal agency funds for a project, running an immigration clinic for our Tongan and Samoan families, coordinating mobile health screenings for one of dozens of events, rounding up volunteers for the Help Samoa tsunami relief effort, or testifying before lawmakers on issues from data disaggregation to redistricting, Kawen believed wholeheartedly that our Pacific Islander community deserved the very best, and she worked every single day to try to deliver.

Kawen accomplished much of her work over the decades as a volunteer, always finding ways to put even the most modest payments back into the community. Contributing to the Young family's final expenses is a beautiful way to honor Kawen's generosity, and supporting the scholarship fund will help ensure her commitment to our youth continues. Donations of every size are appreciated!

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Locations and times are forthcoming.

Fa'afetai tele lava (thank you very much) for your love and support.