Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2007 — Malia Kahiolani Schnackenberg [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Malia Kahiolani Schnackenberg

Family and friends of the Caparida and Schnackenberg 'ohana gathered together on March 17 to celebrate the life of Malia Kahiolani Kelsey Schnackenberg. Just 18 years old, Malia died in a car accident on March 5 in La Conchita, Calif. Malia was born on Hawai'i Island, but grew up as a loeal Moloka'i girl. Raised on the east end of Moloka'i, she played T-ball and soccer, and all the other things little kids do growing up in the island's rural Mana'e community. The daughter of George and Cora Schnackenberg, Malia made her way through a childhood that taught her humbleness, discipline and respect. Encouraged along the way by family members and influential people like her grandparents Eustaquio "Cappy" and Judy Caparida, Malia became an exceptional student, athlete and friend. In a whimsical memoir written by Malia last year, she describes herself as "an outgoing person, I'm easy to talk to. I like to see people happy." She writes that she loved to play sports, especially basketball, football, track and tennis. When not actually participating in a sporting event, she enjoyed working out and physical training. While Malia spent her senior year at Moloka'i High School, most of her high school requirements were fulfilled at Carpinteria High School in California. There, she also excelled in basketball, track and field and academics. Malia spent five years on the mainland, starting with middle

school, where she immersed herself in softball and volleyball. When she wasn't studying or participating in sports, Malia dedicated time to her faith. "God comes first and family second in my life. Then of course there's friends and sports." During her on Moloka'i, Malia could often be found with her Grandma Judy and Aunty Ruthie who are both very effective community advocates. Malia called it, "volunteering my time and doing errands with my Grandma Judy and Aunty Ruthie." After receiving her diploma from Moloka'i High School in 2006, Malia returned to California to attend eollege at Santa Barbara City College. In line with her active and outgoing personality, Malia was studying to be a landscape architect. During her winter break from college, Malia returned home to Moloka'i and started taking hula from Kupuna Kauila Reyes. "She was excited about taking hula and was looking forward to learning more," said Cora, her mom. In referring to her parents, Malia credited her dad for her love of eompetition and sports. "I'm like my dad because I love to listen to people and give advice. I love to eoaeh, and I'm basically a mirror image of him. I also take after him in basketball and everything else." Malia's mom is also known for her athleticism: she's a volleyball player and runner. "I'm like my mom because I love to help people out, and I love to run." The memorial service for Malia was held at the Gospel Shoes of Christ Jesus Church in Punihua, on the east end of Moloka'i. Her grandfather, Pastor Eustaquio "Cappy" Caparida, and many of her immediate family members presided over the celebration of her life. "Me ke aloha pau 'ole a hui hou - with love and affection until we meet again." S

Cūlette Y. Machadū TrustEE, Mūlūka'i aud Lāna'i