‘Aunty Elizabeth,’ Kalakaua Ave. Lei-Seller, Dies
Another familiar face in the fast-changing Waikiki scenery passed from view Saturday with the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Hoopii Delovio—”Aunty Elizabeth” to thousands.
The 54-year-old woman and two others were the first to set up a lei stand in Waikiki some 35 years ago.
Aunty had been selling leis in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel ever since, with her dark-colored 1929…
Elizabeth Delovio
…Chevrolet as her store front.
No one was a stranger to her. She greeted each passer-by along the busy avenue with a smile. Friendly conversation often followed, and maybe a gift of gardenia from Aunty as a token of her aloha.
She was the epitome of Hawaii’s aloha spirit.
TO TAKE OVER
One of Aunty’s five daughters probably will take over her stand. Another daughter and a niece operate two of the five stands on Kalakaua Avenue.
Aunty suffered a stroke about six months ago. When she was well enough, she returned several hours a day to her stand.
She died Saturday at Kuakini Hospital. Her address was 516 Kauhane Street.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary: the procession will leave there at 2 p.m. for burial at Kaahumanu Cemetery.
Friends may call at the mortuary from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and after 8 a.m. Saturday.
Mrs. Delovio is survived by: two sons, Samuel and Kalani; five daughters: Mrs. Bella Kaimi, Mrs. Emily Peneku, Mrs. Pai Zablan, Mrs. Evelyn Hanamaikai and May Delovio [Mae Delovio]; two brothers, Benjaminn Kaluna and Elisah Lono Jr.; and a sister, Mrs. Mabel Dupre of California.
[If you didn’t see Bishop Museum’s post today, check it out by clicking here.]
(Star-Bulletin, 2/16/1959, p. 1A)
