Alma Echalas Tabios' Obituary
Alma Echalas Tabios of Lahaina, Maui, passed away peacefully at Maui Memorial Medical Center on July 23, 2025 at the age of 76. Born on June 18,1949 in Pangasinan, Philippines. Alma was beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was the daughter of the late Anselmo and Apolonia Echalas, and was one of six siblings: the late Rolando (Lina) and Domy (Lida) Echalas, Priscilla (Walter) Baloaloa, Lenny (Lou) Rebudal, and Ben (Priscilla) Echalas. She is survived by her husband, Florendo Tabios, her son Floyd (Alyssa) and daughter Alona Lei (David), her four grandchildren, Chandler, Cameron, Apolonia, and Anna.
She also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who were touched by her warmth, love, and generous spirit. Alma moved to Hawaii in October 1969 with her dad, Anselmo and uncle Francisco Echalas. Back in the Philippines, Alma attended the university of Pangasinan where she had one semester left to become a teacher but was petitioned by her aunt, Cora Domingo, to come to Hawaii to help her with her home care business.
Alma, along with her dad and uncle Francisco were the first batch to come to Hawaii. She attended the Maui community college to study nursing. While attending MCC, she met the love of her life, Florendo. They got married in June 2,1973. Two days after they got married, they went to an auction to purchase property and they bought their lot in Wahikuli. They lived in their home from 1975 til August 8, 2023 where they lost their home to the Lahaina wildfire. Alma worked for Macy’s (formerly Liberty House) for almost 25 years and retired in 2014.
She enjoyed hanging out with her “tongit” gang every weekend. She also enjoyed traveling to California and Las Vegas. She enjoyed gardening and “bossing” Florendo around. At a young age, Alma had health issues which lead her to do dialysis for the last 12 years of her life. She would always tell her nurses at the Kahana dialysis center to never “grow old”.
A celebration of Alma’s life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Nakamura Mortuary, beginning at 9 a.m. and the burial at 2 p.m. at Maui Memorial Park. Family is requesting everyone to wear bright color. She will be missed dearly and remembered always.
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