Claire Ipolani Hellam

Claire Ipolani Hellam was born on August 6, 1969, in Okinawa, Japan, to Clarence and Sakiko Young. She lived there until the age of five when she moved to Marina, California. She spent her childhood in Marina, graduating from Seaside High School in 1987. She continued her education at Monterey Peninsula College and then San Jose State University, where she graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism in 1998. 

She worked in marketing/communications, sold Mary Kay cosmetics, was a Realtor, and a Girl Scout Troop leader. Over the years, she found her joy in helping others and felt the most satisfaction helping people find homes and leading girls through their scouting journey.

After her diagnosis of Stage IV Colon Cancer on Halloween 2019, her purpose the past six and a half years was to educate her friends, family, and the world want anyone else to have to face a disease that’s so easy to treat when detected early.

She fought and survived far past all expectations due to her strength, determination, and love for her family. Her goal when diagnosed was to see her girls graduate high school and start their lives. And she did, ultimately passing on April 20, 2026.

She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Chuck, and two daughters, Malia and Leinani. As she wished,  Claire has been cremated, and a memorial is planned for the summer in Monterey, California. Details will follow through Facebook and other social media. Her final wish is to have her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean near Lagoon One, Ko’olina, Hawaii. Chuck and the girls will fulfill her wish next year.

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