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Sonia Lien Kahanamoku Has Died

3/9/2016

NOTICE: Memorial Celebration Service will be on 2 April 2016, 2:00 PM, at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church, Poulsbo, WA.
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Sonia Lien Vrooman Kahanamoku, born on 20 September 1935, died peacefully today at Bainbridge Island Health & Rehab, Bainbridge Island, Washington USA.

In the final days of her earthly sojourn, Sonia maintained her cheery self. She saw her last moments "as a new beginning," assuring those around her "all is well with my soul." As a survivor, artist, friend, delightful Hawaiian, Sonia amazed us all with her outlook on life, on death, her Aloha, her shalom."

My cancer, living with cancer is a blessing – a joy!" she once noted."I appreciate the opportunity to visit with and care for others who visit me in my final days in this life." Right to the end she found ways to care about others, her visitors, her roommate in the bed next to her at the hospice.

Sonia visited her family island home summer of 2015 for the last time, attending the 2015 Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Oceanfest Celebration & 125th Anniversary.

A me ke aloha ke aloha ka i 'oi a'e, pomaika'i na mea apau, pomaika'i na mea apau (When there is ALOHA everything is blessed, everything is blessed).

Cancer doesn't need to translate into fear. For some cancer is trumped by hope. This was Sonia Lien Kahanamoku. From paradise to Paradise.

Mahalo for Sonia’s life. See her in the next. We thank the God for Sonia’s kindness and love.

Aloha kākou.

Full Obituary (google pdf doc)

Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park Notice

Aloha To All On Behalf Of Sonia

3/2/2016

I came across this little picture of Sonia when she was 10 or 11, c. 1946. She looked so much like a native born daughter of Hawai'i, he kaikamahine ko Hawai'i.

Today she is a whisper from Heaven's paradise. She knows I'm there when I visit hospice, she smiles, then fads away into sleep. I keep thinking mahalo nui for Sonia's life.

A me ke aloha ke aloha ka i 'oi a'e, pomaika'i na mea apau, pomaika'i na mea apau. When there is Aloha everything is blessed, everything is blessed. (ʻEkolu Mea Nui by Robert J.K. Nawahine)

There will be a memorial celebration after Sonia's "new beginning." Date and details will be posted here on her blog and also at CaringBridge: caringbridge.org/visit/sonialien.

Aloha kākou,
Dave Kragen

Sonia at Bainbridge Island Health & Rehabilitation

2/5/2016

Aloha to all,
Sonia is now living at Bainbridge Island Health & Rehabilitation, room 4 (bainbridgerehab.com),
835 Madison Ave N., Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110.
Office phone: (206) 842-4765.
You can call Sonia on her cell phone there: 360.775.8334.
(I will be visiting her this weekend, February 6th or 7th, and will see if she has her laptop computer and can check emails.)

Sonia's cancer is progressing and wearing her down. When I visited her on Tuesday afternoon, February 2nd, she was her cheery self, though energy level is nearing the bottom. She looks at her moment in life and sees this time "as a new beginning," and feels all is "well with her soul."

Sonia amazes me with her outlook, "My cancer, living with cancer is a blessing - a joy!" She adds, "I appreciate the opportunity to visit with and care for others who visit me in my home..." and now, in her room at Bainbridge Island Health & Rehabilitation.

Normal Visiting Hours at Bainbridge Island Health & Rehabilitation: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day.
Mahalo,
Dave Kragen

Sonia In Hawaii For Uncle Duke's 125th Anniversary

9/12/2015

Sonia Visited Hawaii August 20-28, for the 2015 Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Oceanfest Celebration & 125th Anniversary (dukesoceanfest.com).

"Aloha friends....returned from my wonderful trip home to Hawaiian, where I basked in the joy and aloha of Ocean Fest 2015 for Duke Kahanamoku. I stayed with my niece Patty Kahanamoku Teruya and a few days with another dear Island friend in her Honolulu Highrise Condo. The weather was a bit hot and sticky, with nary a trade wind to cool us. Enjoyed some beautiful music at Wailana Coffee House in the heart of Waikiki on Ala Moana Blvd. And also shared happy hour at the nearby Chart House.

"I continue to remain symptom free except for some minor stomach issues and continued slow loss of weight. My 80th birthday is coming up Sept. 20th, and I will be celebrating at a friend's waterfront property on Miller Bay. God is good! Aloha for now.” Visit Sonia’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/sonia.v.lien?fref=ts.

Sonia & her niece Patty Kahanamoku Teruya

My Remission Continues!

5/31/2015

From Sonia's Facebook page: Posted May 22 at 5:48pm

"Aloha friends.... My remission continues and I am thinking positive and putting a Hawaiian trip in my Bucket List. My niece in Oahu is inviting me to join her at Duke Kahanamoku Oceanfest 2015 and his birthday celebration on August 24th (dukesoceanfest.com). I'll enjoy learning more about my ohana (Hawaiian family) and also enjoy the festivities and the beautiful Island music. God is good!!!!"

(See full post at facebook.com/sonia.v.lien?fref=nf)

Honoring Duke And His Descendants

4/23/2015

Article about Sonia's uncle Duke Kahanamoku and her father Samuel Kahanamoku in island weekly - "Honoring Duke And His Descendants" Posted on March 10, 2015 by Ron Mizutani | rkmizutani@gmail.com | Currents Archives
http://www.midweek.com/sports-and-fitness/currents/honoring-duke-descendants/

Kahanamoku ohana (from left): Bernice Puahi Kahaleula Kahanamoku, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, David Piikoi Kahanamoku, William Puukoholai Kahanamoku, Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku, Louis Kooliko Kahanamoku, Sargaret Kakiana Kahanamoku and Julia Kapiolani Kahanamoku (PHOTO COURTESY ELIANNE KAHANAMOKU-VANNATTA)

From Paradise To Paradise - cancer

4/8/2015

Recently Sonia was diagnosed with stage three liver incursion cancer.

Sonia Lien, when 75 years old, found her Hawaiian roots in 2010. "I have to give credence to the strength and character I inherited from my real father from Hawaiʻi, Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku. The Aloha that he and his family professed as their creed lived and thrived in me, as I struggled in those early years. And it remains today, through the Grace of God. On August 24th 2010, I celebrated my healing and reconciliation in Hawaiʻi at the 120th birthday anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku."

Cancer doesn't need to translate into fear.
For some cancer is trumped by hope.
This is Sonia Lien.
From Paradise To Paradise.

NEWS & SUPPORT UPDATES AT CaringBridge: caringbridge.org/visit/sonialien

"Honolulu I'm Coming Back Again" - Sonia Lien

7/3/2014

New youtube video of Sonia (recorded 20 June 2014): http://youtu.be/gOq6DhG4cfw

Sonia continues to enjoy weekly jams (Kanikapali) at Aloha Kitchen restaurant (http://www.thealohakitchen.com/), Silverdale, WA. The group is made up of at least 20 regulars, all dedicated Uke players. Lots of fun!

Aloha Comes to the Haven in Allyn, WA, 24 January 2013

12/20/2012

On Thursday January 24, 2013, Sonia Lien will entertain the local community with Hawaiian music and a book signing from 3:00-5:00 PM. "In addition to co-writing a book about her life, From Alone To Aloha, Lien is an accomplished musician." Open to the public. Her book will be available at the events and is also available at "Old Town Flowers" (jeanettesflowers.com) and, of course, from amazon.com.

Sonia at one of her favorite coffee shops Jak's in Poulsbo, WA.

Book Signing at Hawaiian Festival - July 14, 2012

7/9/2012

Saturday, July 14th, 2012 -- Kennedy High School, 140 South 140 Street, Burien, WA

Saturday, July 14th: Meet author Sonia Lien, niece of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, father of modern surfing. Co-author K. D. Kragen will also be there. The Festival begins at 8:30 AM and runs until 10:00 PM. Sonia will have a booth and be available to sign books from 11:00 until around 4:30. Flyer (pdf).

The Aloha 'O Na Kupuna Music & Dance Festival 2012 was a great venue for featuring From Alone To Aloha and co-authors Sonia Lien and K D Kragen! New friends were made and books sold to the Island sounds of Hawaiian music, lots of dancing, food and fun.
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Liberty Bay Books Signing, Poulsbo, WA, Nov. 5th, 2011

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