Whether you knew Melissa personally, are reading about this unique, ‘one of a kind’ beautiful soul for the first time, or were lucky to have been a part of her life, I hope that it will give you pause and some reflection. I hope that it will inspire you to live a life of Aloha and that her shining example of passion and dedication to the well-being of the people in our community will be an inspiration to all of us.
Melissa’s ‘ohana includes her husband, James Warrack, and their son, Finnegan.
Born Jan. 7, 1971, in Framingham, Mass., she grew up with a love of language and theater. A graduate of South High, Class of 1988, she studied English and Spanish at the University of Pennsylvania and spent a semester in Spain—experiences that shaped her both personally and professionally.After college, her adventurous spirit led her to study Chinese at Harvard in preparation for teaching English at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. She later worked in the English-language news division at Shanghai Television and at Edelman Public Relations, where she helped introduce ‘Sesame Street’ to China and witnessed addresses by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton to the Chamber of Commerce.
Melissa made Kaua’i her home for the past 25 years, wholeheartedly embracing the aloha spirit, and became a vibrant force in the island’s cultural and creative community. She founded the Kaua’i Made movement, represented Hawai’i at shows on the East Coast, helped launch farmers markets, and spent many Saturday mornings at the Kaua’i Community College parking lot, the birthplace of The Grove Farm Market that was born following the COVID-19 pandemic. Its sibling markets, a collaborative effort by the Kaua’i County Farm Bureau, are the Pau Hana Market at Kukui Grove, and The Kaua’i Culinary Market at The Shops at Kukui’ula. Melissa also ran major community events, including the Kaua’i County Farm Bureau Fair, the Garden Fair, and more recently, the Kōloa Plantation Days that celebrates the Sugar Plantation era.
Melissa poured her passion and Aloha into her work at Kukui Grove Shopping Center as their Marketing & Specialty Leasing Manager. She brought the community together and brought so much life at Kukui Grove through unforgettable events and helped many small local businesses get their start, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who worked with her. A past president of Women in Theatre, and an occasional performer herself, she devoted countless hours to Hawai’i Children’s Theatre, serving as vice president and supporting productions, young artists and arts education. She was an enthusiastic supporter of Island School and, with her family, co-owned Aunty Lilikoi Products, nurturing a beloved local business.
Melissa was so many things to so many people: If we had to pick one quality that defined her, it was fierce love. But for all of us here, we know her greatest, most profound role was that of a mother to her amazing boy, Finnegan.
Melissa, you were a gift. Thank you for the light, the loyalty, and the legacy you left behind. We will carry your memory forward, and we will watch your fierce love continue to shine brightly through Finnegan.
