Mahalo Auntie Rebecca

KKV’s longtime caregiver Auntie Rebecca Seumanu recently moved to the mainland. We miss her dearly. Below, KKV staff share their thoughts about losing this important member of our team.

“Rebecca's calm, strong, capable presence is easy to take for granted. Maybe it is because she manifests caring and competence day in and day out so naturally that it looks easy.... She is never one to complain or call attention to herself. Rebecca goes about her work with maturity and compassion that strengthens the community around her.” Dr. David Derauf, Executive Director

“I have this one memory that stands out in my mind about Rebecca. I had just started working at KPT and dropped in on my lunch to pick up some papers. When I walked in the clinic i found Rebecca sitting in a circle with a group of elderly patients from the community playing ukuleles and singing a beautiful song together. On that occasion they had been practicing for a funeral celebration. I found out that Rebecca spent countless hours of her own free time representing KKV at the funerals of our patients and helping to support their families through the grief. It's hard for me to come up with just one good story on Rebecca because everyday was such a joy to be around her. She made every person who walked through the door feel welcome, important and supported. We will miss her terribly.” Dr. Melissa McKinney, Medical

“It has been mostly during the pandemic that I started working more closely with Rebecca. She has been so reassuring to me, which I appreciate and need. Something about her compassionate calm and her clear understanding of what’s really important—community, other people, love, God—helped put things in focus for me, as we all did our work together. I am grateful for that, for her clarifying presence, and I will miss it. I also know wherever she goes, others will benefit from her expansive love and insightfulness.” Michael Epp, Special Projects

“Rebecca has been here in Kalihi for years and is very well known and trusted. She has always been there to help others whatever issues or challenges they face. Rebecca is a very kind, honest, and generous person who shows empathy in her care. She is really a giving person, a good mentor, and a good listener - dedicated towards service. Rebecca is a team player and has been role model to so many including myself. I had wonderful learning experiences working with her and am very grateful that I had an opportunity to work with her.” Nabin Oli, Medical

“When I started working at KKV, the ladies from Rebeccas church had me for lunch and to talk story. It was interesting and fun to learn about their culture and group. Over the years Rebecca has been a strong supporter of getting our healthy food into the community. She often heard things we do not...people wanting the farmers market back, more food and accessibility for Kaluaopalena. During the COVID pandemic she has been instrumental in helping us to connect with our community and provide feedback on how they were doing.” Kaiulani Odom, Director Returning to Our Roots

“I used to work with Rebeccaʻs late husband at PACT. We shared the name of Jesse and developed a friendly co-worker relationship as a result. Jesse always had a smile and kind word to share, so, when I started at KKV and met Auntie Rebecca, his wife, I was immediately comfortable and trusting of her as well. I remember a few months after I started she invited me to their big church service to share some info about Roots. Iʻm not a Christian but believe in prayer and try to be open minded, so I accepted the invitation to church there (only the second time in my life) and truly felt the warmth and love of the Seumanu family and congregation. It began a new work friend relationship for me, and over the past 10 years Iʻve always appreciated the opportunity to overlap my work with Rebeccaʻs. She has given much to the community, to me, and to our staff, and I will always cherish our times together.” Jessie Lipman, Returning to Our Roots

“At the start of the pandemic, I met Rebecca at the Food Bank a few times to help her ‘shop’ for food to distribute to families at KPT. It was a lovely experience with someone so thoughtful and organized - and good humored! Her son came to help cart the food back to the clinic and it was so natural that the family would work together. Rebecca’s manner just makes you want to help out. I will miss her!” Diane Evans, KKV Grants