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Melenie Eleneke Obituary
Melenie Mahinamalamalama Eleneke, transgender rights activist, hula dancer and devoted auntie and sister, died peacefully of natural causes in her sleep the morning of September 9, 2013 at her home in Daly City, California. She was 53.
"Auntie Mele" was born Christmas Day 1959 in Honolulu, Hawai'i, becoming the youngest of Jarett Kalani Eleneke and Alene Ku'ukama'aloha Parker Eleneke-Pa's five children, including sisters Char Thompson, Shalei Eleneke and brothers Wayne, Paul and Charles Eleneke.
One year prior to her 1977 graduation from Kailua High School in Honolulu, Melenie bravely transitioned to become the woman known and loved by a vast network of family, friends and colleagues. A lifelong spiritual healer and hula dancer who studied Social Justice at San Francisco State University, she never overlooked a hot daddy, a pink purse, or a chance to strap on her cha-cha heels and fight for justice.
Forever fun, fierce and fabulous, Melenie will be remembered for her trademark laugh, boundless affection and zealous passion for life. She left her mark on the world as a long serving community leader with the Transgender, Gender Variant & Intersex Justice Project in San Francisco, most notably for her trip to Geneva in February 2008 where she addressed the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, holding the United States accountable for its lack of economic opportunity for transgender women of color.
Melenie is preceded in death by her baby dogs Mikiala and Corie. In addition to her parents and siblings, she is survived by her sissie-la Patrice Evans, nephew Tamalani Auva'a, baby dogs Jimmy and Kukunaokala, and her devoted sisters, nieces and nephews from the House of Valenciaga.
A memorial service will be held at Duggan's Serra Mortuary in Daly City on September 19, 2013 at 6:30 pm. On September 21, Melenie's sister Shalei will escort her home to Hawai'i. Details for a celebration of life on the island of O'ahu will be shared when finalized by the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melenie Eleneke
ANDREA TRUJILLO
September 8, 2024
DEAR MELENIE: I HOPE YOU ARE FLYING HIGH WITH THE 'S. MISS YOU, LOVE YOU ALWAY'S, ANDREA TRUJILLO
Kellie Sommer-Bofinger
September 11, 2020
Titah Mel, Your beautiful smile and contagious laughter sure been missed, Until we meet again I look forward to more laughter and wonderful thoughts.......Sending Heavenly Love
Danceta Neizmen
September 8, 2020
Your Aloha lives on in my heart, Rest In Love Sis Mel
Andrea Trujillo
October 12, 2013
My Dear Melenie: I Shall Always Cherish The Happy Times I Shared With You And My Dear Sister Shalei, I Hope You Are Free And At Peace And You Will Never Be Forgotten!! LOVE LOVE LOVE ANDREA TRUJILLO **************************
Annie Rapozo
October 9, 2013
Wow, time is so so swift like the wind, but I know that all the memories of our hanabada days in Waimanalo, will slow the winds that we may keep our spirit forever in-bedded in our hearts. Take Care T.
Annie Rapozo
mole kris
October 8, 2013
may your memories live on through the thing you set in stone for your sister and brother too live ALOHA
monica gonzales
October 8, 2013
RIP darling, you will brighten heaven with your smile
ginger grant
October 8, 2013
god bless you and your family r. i. p.
Monica Mone't
October 8, 2013
Our Dearest Melenie. We your friends and Family who now mourn our untimely lost, all know in our heart of hearts that you are in a much better place with Ke Akua(God) at your side. All the pain and everyday worries of life are no longer a burden for you. Because you believed in the Son I know you now reside with the father. And it is that one single thought that makes me overwelmingly HAPPY knowing I WILL see you again. Until then like everyone else you've touch in life we will just have to go on missing and loving you forever. And as always Scott sends his love...
Kevin Bynes
September 25, 2013
You were a kind and beautiful spirit. You will be missed
Noelle Kahalewai
September 24, 2013
Dear Lord, Keep my sister Melenie in your beautiful and loving arms. I am so heart broken for my classmate, home buddy and just growing up together from elementary to high school. I will always love you and keep you in my memory. Ahui hou, Your sis Noelle-'E KU'U HOME O WAIMANALO (Also dedicated to other classmates ALVIN KALIMA and TAMMY DOLE of Nalo).
Tia Dora
September 19, 2013
Oh Melanie, I will certainly miss you.
She was an inspiration!
Sister Ida
September 18, 2013
A dear friend is never lost, only missed. You have touched so many lives. We are blessed for knowing of you and getting to know you. Thank you for your light. @}--
Tilly
September 18, 2013
Mel how I will miss your aloha
Bianca Crown-Hazzard
September 18, 2013
I remember every time we met up she treated me as an equal and encouraged me to be all I can be. I wish I could have hung out with her more but our paths did not allow for it. I am truly grateful for the moments we did have she will be remembered.
michelle jewels
September 18, 2013
Mel and I worked as cocktailwaitresses in a hostess bar in Waikiki in our younger days I still can't bilief she's gone such a loss of a beautiful person so sad
ricky everett
September 18, 2013
miss u love u
love u miss u i know u will allways be there
ricky everett
September 18, 2013
I will allways miss u I love u miss
patricia lumaava
September 17, 2013
With fond and loving memories Mel, you will always be remembered...aloha oe!
Jacqouline Tripp
September 17, 2013
I will surely miss you and that smile! Ahui hou Sis...
Tracy Cremer
September 17, 2013
Yay..though I walk through the valley of death.I shall fear not..for the Lord Jesus......Amen
Tracy Lee Taylor
September 17, 2013
God bless you and those who love you
Tati Kaneholani
September 17, 2013
With loving memories
Alexis aka (Chocolate)
September 17, 2013
ALOHA.. A Hui Hou Kakou Malama Pono My Tita R.i.p. will miss you very dearly all the laughter and times when around you and of course all the ono food you always seem to cook up for all us sistahz when gatherings and events..... luv you always Aloha.......
Maile Cummings
September 16, 2013
R.I.P MELENIE, I AM SO HAPPY DAT I MET U AT MY AUNTY TATI'S WEDDING. YOU ARE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL & WONDERFUL LADY. YOU WILL BE MISS BY MANY..
Danceta Kanani Neizmen
September 16, 2013
So much ALOHA and elegance in your life!
Always smiling and happy.
September 16, 2013
Ku'u Teeta,
I will certainly hold ALL of my lifes moments with you bestowed deep in my heart as ALL of Our moments were spent in Fun Food & Fashion. Your Loving & Giving ways I am still awed by it. we will be together one day and I know you will have our place all set up for more Fabulous times. Ahui Hou!
September 16, 2013
My Dear Friend Melenie im going miss you very much,thanks for everything love. Love your sister Celia Gomez.
September 16, 2013
Precious Sister: You are now a star in my night sky. Mahalo for your gifts of love, education, activism, and laughter. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Much love and blessings to you Baby Sister on your journey from here. xxxoooxxx Holy Old Man Bull (Marcus Arana)
Tatiana Kaneholani_Ryan
September 16, 2013
I love you from the moon and back my sister. May you travel the universe in style and know that your work within the community, your Hula with the Ladies of Passion will be my jewel to keep locked forever. A Hui Hou e Tita Mahinamalamalama.
Milderd Myles
September 16, 2013
RIP Ms Mel
J. C.
September 16, 2013
Rest in Paradise Aunty Mel, for this isn't goodbye just a farewell and see you soon..
Love you forever..
Jacob Yang
September 15, 2013
You are an inspiration and force of nature! Thank you! You are missed!
sedrick vanisi
September 15, 2013
my love to you sister Mel. I will miss your beautiful smile laughing. auee!
Keri Hanna
September 15, 2013
Your wit, wisdom, bravery and passion for life will always be a great inspiration to me. Rest in peace my dear friend and sister. I'd always remember the last warm hug I received from you at Grace cathedral just days before you departed.
Maddalynn Ashton
September 15, 2013
Aunty Meleanie....thank you for being such a positive influence to so many mahuwahine, although you are not here in body, you will ALWAYS be in spirit. The heavens has gain another beautiful angel looking over all of us. til we meet again aunty, rest in love.
Kellie Carla
September 15, 2013
Not offend my eyes tear but the news of Mels passing was a direct hit to my heart I'm just thankful I had the pleasure to have cross path with her on so many occasions that I was blessed with her love. What a beautiful article reading it made my tear uncontrollable I Love You Sista Mel. Thanks for all the good old times
Gilbert Sabori
September 15, 2013
Safe travels and thank you for paving the way for generations....
Gail Spencer
September 15, 2013
Rest my sister love you Mel
September 15, 2013
*Sigh.....you will be sorely missed !!Rest In Love <3 always Tida <3
Liana Iona
September 15, 2013
Welina...Welina. l call out to you, but you do not respond, I search for you,but I cannot find you, than I hear his voice in the distance .... I have called her home as I have work for here in heaven. I will forev
er hold you in my heart my best friend in life and can't wait till we meet again. R.I.L Mel Never good bye, just see you later.
September 15, 2013
I will always remember your grace and smile. You accepted everyone and respected all. Even though we worked together for a short time I have always admired you from a far. You will be missed.
PW
Kenn Walcott
September 15, 2013
Thank you for all you've done. Rest well, soldier!!!
Dee-Lila Camenga-Sharp
September 15, 2013
I hope your journey is a safe and happy one .... Blessed be
Nazbah Tom
September 15, 2013
Auntie Mele was the most caring, fiercest, warmest, brilliant, and visionary woman I ever got the privilege to know. Rest in Power Auntie Mele. Blessings-Nazbah
Patrick Noonan
September 15, 2013
Mel, your soul has taken flight to a world that is invisible, but there arriving she is sure of Bliss and forever dwells in Paradise. Rest In Peace.
Alexandra Byerly Rodriguez De Ruiz
September 15, 2013
Very saddened by our loss of one of my dearest sisters and fighters...I will miss your beautiful self and spirit with the energy that always brought light and peace.
Sweet dreams beautiful!
September 15, 2013
Rest in Paradise Tita & in Akua's light of Peace & Love!Until we meet again, Aloha Wau Ia'Oe...?
~Nalei Palmer
GRACE LAWRENCE
September 15, 2013
MY DEAR SISTER MELENIE ,MAMA GO IN PEACE,THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR LOVING ME AND TAKING CARE OF ME,I AM SO VERY GREATFUL, YOUR IMPRINT IS ON MY HEART FOREVER. xoxo SISTER GRACE F LAWRENCE
Kaleilani Degracia
September 15, 2013
To my Capricorn sister, who always made me laugh no matter what, going to miss your cooking and laughter, RIP, I will await to see you again, Love always, Kalei
Stephen Dorsey
September 15, 2013
R.I.P. my dear friend. You will be missed.
September 15, 2013
I did not know this lovely lady, but I wish I had... Loved by so many, ALOHA from Vancouver, B.C. ... Rest in God's love... Lynda Thompson
Kaipolani
September 15, 2013
Rest in Love my sister, God's blessings to her Ohana
Berlin Fisher
September 15, 2013
REST IN LOVE
September 15, 2013
To my dear sissie-la, I will always cherish our last conversation! You are missed so much. May you Rest In Paradise!
September 15, 2013
I love you Mel. You were a bright of sunshine in my life as well a positive role model to me. Im going to miss you even more. Love always, Connie Capacite
Savannah Summers
September 15, 2013
My tita, as I sit here and write this I'm feeling an empty loss in my heart. It's hard to go thru the motion. without crying. I will always cherish every moment we spent laughing. crying, cooking, an eating. Mostly our close sister bond that no one could break. I owe you my life and more, for all kindness you gave to everyone. We will never forget you. Loving you always. ...
Showing 1 - 57 of 57 results
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Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City, CA 94014
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