Ehukai Sako Alidon was born on July 30, 1951, in Hana, Maui. Raised in a close-knit farming and fishing community of the Keanae Peninsula, she spent many years learning how to harvest. Working on patches of Taro and harvesting from the ocean, Ehukai learned the importance of self-sustainability from her parents. Amongst a large family of 13 children, several of Ehukaiโs siblings continue to reside in Hawaii, with three still living in the village where she was raised.
Ehukai attended 1st-8th grade in the village, where her aunt served as her teacher for most of those years. She then attended high school in the town area of the village. After completing her sophomore year she moved to California with her eldest sister who offered her to experience life outside of Hawaii. In 1969 Ehukai graduated from Pleasant Hill High School. A few years later she moved back to Hilo, raised 6 children and started college at University of Hawaii- Hilo. At the University of Hawaii-Hilo she graduated with her bachelors degree in Psychology in 1988.
After college Ehukai dedicated her career to social services. The last 10 years before retirement she was a Deputy Probation Officer for Contra Costa County.
During her free time Ehukai finds fulfillment in volunteering at the Antioch Senior Center. Since 2015, she has been sharing her love for Hula with the community at the Antioch Senior Center. What resonates most with Ehukai at the center is the joy of bringing entertainment to the members of the โKupunaโ community.
Ehukai would like to share with everyone the important significance of โKupunaโ to herโ it represents a deeply cherished figure, a respected elder with valuable wisdom.
โWritten by: Frida Ortiz
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