Vendella Fetuao Alapa Oura's Obituary
Vendella Fetuao Sua‘pa‘ia Alapa “Aunty Wendy” Oura, 93, of Hauula, Hawaii, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. She was born on September 9, 1921 in Sauniatu, Western Samoa to Elisa Toomalatai and Kipeni Sua‘pa‘io. She was the first of three children and fifth of her father’s children. She was a retired musician at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
She attended Laie School, Kapalama School and then moved to St. Andrews Priory. After she graduated from school she was a woman of many talents such as a homemaker, entertainer, musician supervisor at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and an entrepreneur.
She retired in the late 1980’s after serving for ten years at the Polynesian Cultural Center. After retirement she cared for her husband and after he passed away she became ill. She lived in various places in the pacific; Sauniatu, Western Samoa, Manu‘a, Pagopago, Honolulu, Hawaii and Kahuku, Hawaii. Her first marriage was to Clarence Alapa in 1939 and her second marriage was to Isami Oura in 1964, both marriages were in Honolulu at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Her special friends were her siblings and her cousins were close to her. Whenever they were together there was laughter and music. Her advice she would give to everyone was to “be good!” “Love one another!” and that “families are forever”. The important events in her life were; being born, married, a mother, a grandmother, and a business owner.
She was a dynamic, loving articulate, talented and fun woman who loved playing the ukulele, singing, entertaining, and really enjoyed her Polynesian music such as; Samoan, Hawaiian, Tongan and etc. She also enjoyed listening to old popular standards.
She is survived by sons, Harvey and Clifton Alapa; daughters, Linette Hunter, Alicia Gable, Valerie “Hana” Vierra and Doreen Ramseyer; sister, Rowena Sangapolu; 25 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; Five great great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday September 5, 2015 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hauula (53-958 Kamehameha Hwy, Hauula, HI 96717); Service to begin at 10:30 a.m., with burial to follow 2:00p.m., at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery.
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