Michelle Rupinta Pidot
Michelle Rupinta Pidot, 81, of Kihei, Maui, departed this life on August 17, 2025, at Hale Makua Kahului. She was born in Bauang La Union, Philippines, on December 15, 1943. She attended the University of the East in Manila and studied Education. She is predeceased by her mother, Pastora Rupinta, and only sibling, Arnold Rupinta, as well as her grandson Max “Mackie” Domenick Bagoyo, and great-grandson Colyn Cassidy Kamaile Tani.
Her memory will forever be cherished by her husband, Artemio Pidot, and five daughters: Grace (Nestor) Velasco, Elsa (Gerry) Bagoyo, Rowena Pidot, Arlyn Pidot, and Venus (Romeo Jr.) Bolosan.
Her legacy also includes 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
She left the Philippines in 1971, with two little girls in tow, to reunite with her husband, already working in Hawaii. On Maui, she held several places of employment, such as at the Royal Lahaina in the kitchen as an Employee Cook, Kapalua Bay Hotel as a Pantry Chef, Hyatt Regency Maui as a Pantry Chef, and even worked alongside her husband for Royal Taxi as a taxi driver.
She treasured her family, and in her ever so subtle ways, was there for them in any and all circumstances, more than willing to help when she can. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, thrifting, listening to music (country and golden oldies), and going holo holo with family. Ask any close family member about our mother and they’ll quickly rave about her cooking and then proceed with a recital of their faves like her adobo, her flan, her fully loaded pancit, pinacbet, or her inimitable scrambled eggs with tomatoes, to name a few. She also took joy in the company of their many pets. Possessing a deep faith in God, she drew inspiration from Scripture. She would say, “Trust in God,” to show her encouragement and support to someone who needed it. Young at heart, she had many talents. While in the Philippines, she danced the Tinikling and the Banga. She didn't hesitate to pick up an ukulele and play by ear, show how she could still cut a rug on the dance floor, or even take up a granddaughter’s offer to give the hula hoop a whirl.
All through her life, even through hardships and struggles that included a debilitating stroke, our mother remained kind, caring, loyal, generous, courageous, loving, and always humble. Her life reminds us all that we must aspire in our day to day lives to treat others with dignity, respect, and to always keep the faith. Ultimately, Love is and always will be the only thing that matters after all.
Our heartfelt gratitude, admiration, and indebtedness goes out to all her godsend caregivers through the years, most especially to Head Nurses Teresa and Elizabeth, and to May, Kathy, and Ednalyn of Social Services, Dr. Z and to all others at Hale Makua Kahului, where our mother would spend her later years. We also offer our profound appreciation to the attentive staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center; and to Joann Pigao, RN CHPN, Dan Church, LCSW, ACHP-SW, and Chaplain Terez Fitzgerald, of Hospice Maui, all for their vigilant care, kindness, and compassion. Furthermore, to Father Efren Tomas of Christ the King Church for his offering of prayers during our mother’s final days.
It is indescribable beyond words just how much we will miss her physical presence here on earth. We are only comforted knowing that the Lord has now given unto our matriarch, everlasting peace, and we are assured that she will be restored in whole, in her next life, and that we will be together once again.
Services to honor and celebrate Michelleʻs life will be held on:
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., at Nakamura’s Mortuary in Wailuku.
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at the “Maui View Section” at Maui Memorial Park, in Wailuku, located next to the substation.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18