For Lei and Nahua, their love story was never a straight line.

They first met in 1967 as teenagers at the beach. What began as friendship slowly became something more, but life would eventually take them in different directions.

Through Job Corps, Lei went to California, while Nahua’s journey took her to Oregon and later New York.

Eventually, they found their way back to Hawai‘i — and back to each other.

Their relationship would span decades, including nearly 40 years living with Lei’s mother before getting their own home. Through changes, challenges and the realities of growing older, one thing remained constant: they continued to choose one another.

Learning to Care with Compassion

For Nahua, loving Lei has also meant caring for her.

Long before hospice entered their lives, Nahua was the person beside Lei, supporting her through whatever came next. As Lei’s health needs became more complex, caregiving became more challenging. She needed the support of hospice care.

What Nahua found was not only care for Lei, but guidance for herself.

She credits the Navian team with giving her the knowledge to better understand what Lei needs: listening carefully, recognizing changes and responding without panicking.

She learned that caregiving is about being present and having compassion.

Hospice also gave Nahua room to continue living her own life. Today, she can swim, attend hula, spend time with family and remain connected to her community, knowing others can step in when she needs support.

That balance matters.

Hospice became less about what they could no longer do and more about making space for what still mattered: family, community, love and simply being together.

And sometimes, that meant saying yes to moments they never thought would be possible.

Finally, “I Do”

For much of their lives, marriage was not an option.

There were legal barriers, changing laws and circumstances that kept Lei and Nahua from making their relationship official. In 2025, that finally changed.

At the time, Lei was staying at Navian’s Kailua Home to receive care and support. As her stay came to an end, Navian patient care manager Shanelle helped Nahua arrange two surprises.

Instead of going back to her mother’s house, Lei was brought to the new home Nahua had prepared for them.

It was there, surrounded by the people they loved, that they would finally get married.

When Lei realized what was happening, she cried.

“All you guys are my angels. When one go out, the other one fly in.”

Navian chaplain Julie drove all the way from Wai‘anae to Waimānalo to officiate the ceremony. Brothers and sisters watched. Lei sang her favorite song.

Even their dog had a role, carrying their rings tied to her collar.

After decades together, they were finally able to say, “I do.”

Together, Where They Belong

Even in hospice, there is still room for life — for love, for family and for milestones that matter, like getting married and finding a new home.

Their story is one of the many ways love, family and care can look. It is a reminder that every life holds moments worth honoring, and that there should always be room to live, love and be surrounded by the people who matter most.

After all these years, Lei and Nahua are still choosing each other.

Still caring for each other.

Still making room for life.

Together, where they belong.