Sonia Lien Vrooman Kahanamoku, born Sept. 20, 1935, died from cancer on March 9, 2016 on Bainbridge Island.

Music and entertaining became the art of Sonia’s coping with a childhood of neglect and abandonment, and she continued singing and performing throughout her life.

After four years in the Navy (1954-1958), Sonia married Stanley Orvis Lien on Dec. 18, 1964; another step toward healing. Sadly Stanley passed away in 1995.

In 2010 Sonia discovered her Hawaiian heritage and ’ohana, and for the first time visited the grave of her father, Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku. With coauthor K. D. Kragen, Sonia wrote her story “From Alone To Aloha” in 2011 (www.alohasonia.com).

A me ke aloha ke aloha ka i ‘oi a’e, pomaika’i na mea apau, pomaika’i na mea apau. “When there is ALOHA everything is blessed, everything is blessed.”

Mahalo for Sonia’s life. We thank God for her kindness and love.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church.