Elaine Leinaʻala Elizabeth Loo was born on January 2, 1930 in Honolulu to Manuel 

Julius Ornellas and Elizabeth Kapeka Kauhane. Elaine is the second youngest of

nine children, growing up in a large and loving ʻohana. Her eldest sibling was

William Kauhane Baker, followed by Lillian McShane, Rose Cecilia Kahale, Violet

Waioleka Naone, Delphine Kalama Rickard, Eva Thelma Leilani Gaspar, Marie

Loverner Napuaikaumakani Bruns, and Joan Virginia “Pudgie” Young. Elaineʻs

father worked as a machinist at Dole Cannery and was an avid bird hunter. Her 

mother repurposed the feathers from his hunts to craft beautiful feather lei that

she gifted to many of her friends and neighbors. In addition to making feather lei,

Elaineʻs mother Kapeka was known for her flower lei and enlisted Elaine and her siblingsʻ help in picking ʻilima, pakalana, puakenikeni, plumeria and pikake from their yards in Kaimuki and Waipahu. For many years, Kapeka also worked as a custodian at Waipahu School. Her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic and resourcefulness, along with a deep appreciation for her culture.

​

Elaine’s early years were also shaped by the care of her extended family. Before starting school, she was partially raised by her Portuguese aunts in Kalihi, where Portuguese was her first language. Later, when her mother remained in their Waipahu home to care for Tūtū Elizabeth Kapeka Nakeʻu, Elaine was raised by her older sisters in their Kaimukī home so she could attend St. Patrick’s Catholic School, followed by Waiʻalae Elementary and Liliʻuokalani Intermediate, before enrolling at Kaimukī Intermediate and High School. From an early age, Elaine embraced the art of hula, dancing under the guidance of Kumu Louise Akeo. Elaine was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Girls Glee Club, where she shared the beauty of Hawaiian music and dance. She balanced academics with her love for dance, attending classes for only half the day and dedicating the rest to hula.

 

As a young performer, she graced the stage of the renowned Kodak Hula Show, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel— known as the Pink Palace, and the Niu Malu Hotel, bringing elegance and grace to each performance. Like many of her generation, Elaine learned the value of hard work at a young age. She spent her summers working at the Dole Pineapple Company in Iwilei during her teenage years. She also worked for the Cable Company in Honolulu, delivering messages on foot throughout the busy town. Beyond her studies and work, Elaine played softball and volleyball, surfed with the beach boys in Waikiki, and paddled competitively for the Hui Nalu Canoe Club. She enjoyed entertaining with her sisters, their beautiful voices blending with their kolohe songs, joyous laughter, and accompanying instruments. Their signature song, Kalamaʻula, remains a beloved favorite to this day.

​

Elaineʻs life on Hawaiʻi Island began in 1951, As a member of Hālau O Wahiikaʻahuʻula, she traveled to Hilo with her hula sister, Eleanor Kaʻapuni, for a Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi convention. While on island, she met Edward Lukana “Sonny” Loo, Jr. of Waipiʻo Valley. Sonny picked up Elaine and Eleanor, taking them on a scenic tour of Waipiʻo Valley, where they were awed by the beauty of the valley. The adventure continued to Kukuihaele, where Sonny treated them to a horseback ride —an experience that would become a cherished memory of their first meeting.In 1952, Elaine married Sonny. He worked as a mechanic for the National Guard in Honokaʻa while they lived in Kalopā down the road from the Keomalu ‘ohana. Side by side, they raised four children—Faelyn, Denise, Laenette, and Widmarke—farming taro in Waipiʻo and helping manage the Loo familyʻs 300-acre ranch in Kamoku.

 

They moved to Kūhiō Village in 1956 and enjoyed going to the beach, traveling around the island, viewing Peleʻs eruptions, and celebrations with family and friends. Their life together was tragically cut short when Sergeant 1st Class Edward Lukana Loo, Jr. died while serving in Vietnam in April of 1969. Despite this heartbreaking loss, Elaine remained steadfast in her devotion to her family, raising her children with strength, love, and resilience. Elaine started working at Waimea Village Market and Laundromat when her youngest child started at Waimea School in 1961. Then she joined other Elaine’s of Waimea, Elaine Dochin and Elaine Lindsey at the Dochin’s Kamuela Meat Market. Later, she was a clerk and assistant for Dr. Billy Bergin at the Veterinary Associates. She moonlighted as a waitress at the Waimea Village Inn where she met many colorful Waimea characters.

​

While Elaine took on various jobs in the Waimea community

to support her family, she eventually  returned to her

cultural roots, dedicating herself to preserving and sharing 

Hawaiian traditions. With a generous spirit, she shared her

knowledge with both the community and visitors alike.

She was hired by Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to create leis for

guests and later expanded her teaching to Outrigger

Waikoloa and Marriott Waikoloa, where she taught

lei-making, hula, and ʻukulele. At The Bay Club at Waikoloa,

she also led cultural programs and instructed guests in lei

and ti-leaf hula skirt making. After decades of sharing her

knowledge, skills, and aloha, Elaine concluded her professional career in 2010 at the Hualālai Cultural Center and Waikoloa Marriott, retiring at 80 years young. Extending beyond her career, Elaine has actively perpetuated Hawaiian culture and arts through her service and commitments to community organizations.

 

She volunteered her time throughout the community, sharing her aloha and talents in many ways. In the early 1960’s she joined the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, organizing bazaars, visiting and preserving historical places and perpetuating mele in statewide song contests. As a member she helped organize May Day lei contests, taught ʻukulele, and played music for numerous May Day programs at Waimea School. In 1972, the Civic Club ladies including Elaine, Sarah Kaupiko, Jackie Higa, Eva Perez, Elaine Flores and Minnie Hannah opened the Waimea Music Festival held at the Parker Ranch arena with the well known Hole Waimea. 

 

As an active member of the royal benevolent societies of ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu and an officer of Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻiʻs Waimea chapter, Hālau ʻO Keliʻiahonui Elaine remained dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian values and traditions. Her commitment to cultural practice was further recognized in 1983 when she served as Moʻi Wahine alongside Moʻi Kāne Donald Tolentino for Aloha Week. Along with many of her good friends, she continued dancing hula into her senior years for Kumu hula Michael Pang and later with Kumu hula Buzzy Histo. Building on her passion for community and cultural engagement, she later joined the Waimea Senior Citizen Club, where she served as an officer and shared her musical talents by teaching ʻukulele. The club members remained active, giving back to the community through volunteer efforts, including Christmas caroling at Hale Ho‘ola, crocheting lap blankets for North Hawai‘i Hospital, playing bingo, and participating in many other activities. Her dedication to service extended to Tūtū’s House at ParkerRanch Center, where she taught ʻukulele, later introducing hanafuda at its current location, fostering community through music and fellowship.

​

She taught hula at Waikoloa Village Golf Club, sharing the art of Hawaiian dance with eager learners. She volunteered with the Kohala Seniors at the Ritz-Carlton, spreading joy through music and dance. At North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, she cleaned the chapel and played music with Aunty Jennie Puhi. Elaine’s dedication to serving others is an extension of her deep love for Hawaiʻi, her family and community, and her generosity of spirit continues to inspire those who know her. To her children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren she is known as “Kupuna.” She has provided unwavering love, support, encouragement, and guidance throughout the years, instilling in her family the values of aloha, hard work, and service. Through her example, she has passed down a deep appreciation for culture, a sense of gratitude for family and friends, and a profound respect for the special place we call home.

​