Lanai Culture & Heritage Center Remembers Mary Ellen Louisiana Maile Lehua Richardson Nakoa "Aunty Suki"
Mary Ellen Louisiana Maile Lehua Richardson Nakoa – “Aunty Suki” was born September 13, 1935 at Koele, Lanai. She was the oldest daughter of her parents Rebecca Kaopuiki Richardson and Ernest Samson Richardson, and the third eldest of the moopuna born to Tutu Mama and Tutu Papa Daniel Kaopuiki. She spent the first 20 years of her life living between Koele and Keomoku. Through her mother’s lineage, Aunty Suki descended from families with generations of residency on Lanai. Her father’s Hawaiian family descended from lines of Maui & Molokai.
Aunty Suki held a deep passion for the history of Lanai’s families, land and traditions, and over the years she collected many papers, articles, genealogies and photographs which make up the foundational collection of the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center. She began collecting historical materials for Lanai long before most people understood their value. Aunty Suki passed away in the early morning of May 14, 2011 at the age of 75 years, eight months. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy of aloha will live on. She is survived by her loving husband, Uncle Buddy, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren; sister Charlotte Richardson Holsomback and family; and many loving ohana and extended family.
Na ke Akua e malama i ka ohana, a e kokua ia lakou i ko lakou wa kaumaha.