Malia Michelle Thurman

May 1, 1978 - March 3, 2020

On March 3, 2020 we lost our dear and beloved Malia Michelle Thurman at the very young age of 41 at her home surrounded by her family, after a long 4-year battle with cervical cancer. She was a fierce fighter while never losing touch with what was important. Those 4 years were really tough physically, but it did not change who she was. If anything, she used the time to live better. She loved unconditionally, she served and she focused on her family, culture and friends. Pure love is what she radiated and everyone around her felt it. It was and still is powerful. The amount of people she touched is immeasurable. It is evident with the continual outpouring of grief, love and stories on social media, private emails and phone calls. Malia’s childhood was charmed and magical. Her Dad was in the U.S. Air Force which afforded them the opportunity to live in many places and to travel all over the world. Her Mom had been born and raised in Lanikai, on the island of O’ahu where family still lived. As a child, they would spend carefree summers at the family home on Lanikai with plenty of beach time. She graduated high school with an academic scholarship to BYU Hawaii. Malia married her soulmate, Dave in 2000 and lived in Nashville, TN then Seattle and finally settled in Utah in 2005 where they could be near other family that migrated to Utah as well. That is when they began to expand their family. They had 3 children. Jada, Taylor and Mia. As a college grad and a self-driven personality, Malia was career focused. However, when her and Dave began their family, she made the tough decision to put those goals on hold to be home with the kids and to provide them with all the love, guidance and stability she could provide. Like everything Malia did, she was an exceptional mother to her children. However, home maker was not her only title, she also served her community. She was an emergency response coordinator using her skills as a ham radio operator. Malia, co-founded with her partners Ofo Moeai and Lia Whitman and opened Pacific Heritage Academy charter school. She volunteered at Shelley elementary. She lead the charge to feed the homeless in which her family spent many hours in downtown SLC making food and/or delivering that food to anyone that needed it on the streets. She served as a member of the Kauwahi Anaina Hawaii Hawaiian Civic Club and was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars to help keep programs alive that benefits and perpetuates Hawaiian culture. If there was a good cause or was asked to serve, she was there and ready to take on any challenge put in front of her. Malia’s life journey was full of passion, laughter and energy. She was not afraid to take chances. Whatever she committed to doing, she was all in. Her journey to discover who she really was started right after her Grandmother passed away in 2002. She had always had a desire to learn about Hula and where she came from since she was a child, but it wasn’t until her grandmother passed away that she felt that if she did not do it now, she never will. She returned to Seattle after the funeral and immediately began contacting hālau’s in the area until she found one that fit what she was looking for. That was the spark that lit a fire in her that took here from wishing she knew who she was in 2002 to getting the opportunity to `uniki as 'olapa in 2015 while studying under her Kumu, Māpuana de Silva for 9 years. For Malia, Hula is life. Malia, I hope you know and feel what a difference you have made in the lives of the people you have touched. That influence is still happening. You are still changing lives and hearts from your example that shines through your loved ones. May we all try and live as you did with an open heart and pure Love. You are loved and greatly missed. A hui hou Malia is survived by her loving husband, Dave. Her three children, Jada, Taylor and Mia. Her sister, Krista. Her brothers, Kalani and Jonathan. Her parents, Leon and Pualani. Malia’s Celebration of Life is being held on Saturday September 26, at 10:00 AM at the LDS Chapel located at 680 N 350 W, American Fork, UT 84003. Attendance is limited to 150 people. The service will also be streamed live on Zoom at the link below and is open to the public. Malia’s ashes will be scattered in Hawaii at a later date when it is safe to travel. https://tinyurl.com/y5qy9sbo?fbclid=IwAR1hWOFOd1-qHz4YH4IqwfoXR7AsPzb8Y-yP4XrmpLRMLOlFanst22cZoI8