On October 28th, our sweet, independent, faith-driven daughter, Tehya Taimane Leialoha Mahelona, returned home to our Lord and Savior.

Tehya was 19 years old and had already achieved so much. She was rooted in her community, proud of her Polynesian culture and was fearlessly chasing her dreams. She loved going to the gym and led a busy and active life. She was an aspiring pilot, learning to fly airplanes while in high school and was well on her way to receiving her private pilot license. Since high school she also worked at Starbucks Nānākuli and was the friendly barista that many looked forward to seeing daily. She loved working at Starbucks where her co-workers became her family away from home.

Tehya loved her brothers and was a doting big sister. She was an outgoing friend and loving cousin, full of life and laughter. Above all, Tehya was a beautiful and inspiring child of God. She protected, comforted and prayed for others. And she was doing her own ministering to friends. The amount of stories we have heard or read from her friends and even strangers that became friends makes us extremely proud. Tehya was doing God’s work even when we weren’t watching.

We are overwhelmed with the amount of prayers, love and support we have received during this time. Family and friends from near and far have expressed their condolences and their desires to kōkua. After much consideration and with grateful hearts we have created this page in Tehya’s honor.

We miss her dearly but we find comfort in knowing that she is now wrapped in the arms of Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:20-21

”In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Mahalo Nui/Fa’afetai/Thank you,

Vernon and Amanda Mahelona