HLCF Establishes Mealoha Kraus Legacy Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation

The Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund (HLCF) is proud to honor the memory of Mealoha Kraus with the establishment of the Mealoha Kraus Legacy Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

Mealoha (center) with Hawai‘i Life colleagues on the beach at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island in December 2019.

Mealoha was a Hawai‘i Life real estate broker for many years and a cherished colleague to many. She recently lost a short but fierce battle with breast cancer in Hilo, surrounded by her friends and family.  She was only 42 years old. She leaves behind her husband, Chris, her son, Connor, and her daughter, Faith.

Mealoha was the first to serve as Board Chairperson of the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund. She was devoted to the HLCF and supporting its mission to preserve Hawai‘i’s beauty and culture by supporting its people. Her longstanding work as Board Chair beginning in 2014 is a testament to that commitment. She served as Chair until earlier this year when she chose to step down to focus on her health.

Linda Hussey and Mealoha Kraus presented the fundraising activities of the HLCF at last year’s Worthshop event.

Mealoha had a gentle way of accomplishing big goals. She embodied the spirit of aloha. Under her leadership, the HLCF raised and donated more than $200,000 to local charities in 2018. Funds raised went directly to Hawai‘i nonprofits serving communities across the state.

She was a good friend and a great listener, always ready to talk story and have a laugh. She is missed by many here at Hawai‘i Life who had the privilege of working with her and the honor of knowing her.

“I was beyond blessed to work side by side with Mealoha on the Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund Board of Directors and to learn from the best,” said Linda Hussey, Hawai‘i Life agent on the Big Island, and current Chair of the HLCF Board of Directors. “She was a fierce leader with a huge heart. The board wanted to honor Mealoha and carry on her dedication to giving back to her community. What better way to accomplish that than to set up a fund in her name that will carry on for generations to come?”

Mealoha, hard at work raffling off prizes at last year’s Hawai‘i Life Day dinner at Merriman’s in Waimea.

Mealoha worked from our Hilo office as part of Team Nakanishi, which includes her mother, Denise Nakanishi, and sister, Kealohanui Browning. In addition to being a member of Team Nakanishi at Hawai‘i Life, Mealoha was a member of the Hilo Skate Park Coalition, Hawai‘i Island Board of Realtors, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce and she was a beloved member of Paradise Roller Girls.

The Mealoha Kraus Legacy Fund with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation was seeded with $10,000 from the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund, and Hawai‘i Life matched that donation with an additional $10,000. The Mealoha Kraus Legacy Fund will support causes close to Mealoha’s heart and will be directed by her family.

Those wishing to donate to Mealoha’s fund can do so online at give.hawaiilife.com. Simply add “Mealoha” in the memo line of your check or credit card donation. Or you can donate directly through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation portal at this link, or send a check payable to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation addressed to:

ATTN: Mealoha Kraus Legacy Fund
C/O Hawai‘i Community Foundation
827 Fort Street Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813-4317

Linda and Mealoha selling raffle tickets at last year’s Worthshop event to raise money for the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund.