Meet Carolyn

Carolyn was born at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu (the same hospital as one of her favorite presidents, Barack Obama) on December 30, 1937. Her parents, Benjamin Yap and Jun Oh were delighted at the birth of their daughter Carolyn. Carolyn was soon given her Chinese name of Wai Lan by her paternal grandmother.

Carolyn was raised in Kaimuki. Despite being asthmatic, she became a very good swimmer and spent many hours at the Waikiki Natatorium Memorial and Kaimana Beach area. She attended Ali’iolani Elementary School and graduated from Roosevelt High School.

As the oldest of four children with a working mother, Carolyn took on the responsibility of guiding and mentoring her younger siblings. Carolyn carried her caring spirit into adulthood in both her career and her involvement in various organizations that focused on helping others.

CAROLYN YAP BALLOU 81, passed away suddenly on June 30, 2019 in Honolulu. She was undergoing out patient Cancer treatment thru the Cancer Center at The Queen’s Medical Center. Carolyn was the daughter of Benjamin T.H. Yap and Elaine Marvel Yap Kalilimoku. She was a graduate of Roosevelt High School (55) and the University of Hawaii School of Nursing (59). She began her geriatric career by establishing and serving as the Program Director-Senior Services at the Waikiki Community Center before moving on to serve as the Palolo Chinese Home Administrator for more than 17 years. She retired after serving as the Nurse/Case Manager at The ARC at Diamond Head, Hawaii. Carolyn was a past president and director for the Soroptomist International of Waikiki, past Director Tsung Tsin Association, Member, Board of Directors, Roosevelt High School Alumni Association, and a member of the Halau Hula Ho’okahi Pu’awai Me Ka Lokahi of Honolulu. She is survived by her caring husband of 32 years, Marshall; sister Sandra Yap Gonsalves, and brother Roland W. (Carol) Yap of Honolulu; nephews Mark R. (Naomi) Gonsalves, Jonathon W. (Elise) Yap, Joshua K. (Danielle) Yap; niece Alisa (Hoku) and many caring cousins, grandnephews and many friends in Hawaii, the mainland, and beyond. She was predeceased by brother William W. Yap (Adela) of New York City.