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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKupuna News A Magazine For And About Hawai`i's Seniors (July - September 2017)Elderly Activities Division’s Kupuna News A MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT HAWAI‘I’S SENIORS VOL. 19 No. 3 July-September 2017 RSVP: Blood Drives Kailua LDS Church, July 7 Aunty Sally’s Lu‘au Hale, July 20 EAD: I&A Team District Meetings East Hawai‘i, ADRC, Hilo, July 18 West Hawai‘i, WHCC, Kona, July 19 ERS: 1st Annual Bon Dance Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium July 26 State Senior Softball Tournament Patsy Mink Complex, O‘ahu August 2-4 35th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa September 13-14 Employ The Older Worker Week Senior Training & Employment Program September 17-23 Published quarterly by the County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division Information and Assistance Hilo (808) 961-8777 Kona (808) 323-4320 Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawai‘i Coordinated Services for the Elderly Coran Kitaoka, EAD Operations Assistant Director, (808) 323-4320 Christine Namahoe-Loo, East Hawai‘i (808) 961-8777, Fran Takamiyashiro, West Hawai‘i (808) 323-4320 CSE Hilo Welcomes Anna Marie Canario, CSW I Welcome Anna Marie Canario to our family. “Maile” as we all know her, has been with the division since February 1991 as a Hula Instructor with our Elderly Recreation section which she still continues to do. In 2012, Maile was hired as a Community Service Worker III ½ time with our Nutrition Program in Pāpa‘aloa. On January 1, 2017, Maile started a new journey as a full-time Community Service Worker I with Coordinated Services. Maile likes to work in the yard and recently started growing medicinal Hawaiian plants. Her halau recently performed at the Merrie Monarch festivities and they are getting ready for the Annual Kupuna Hula competition that will be held in Keauhou, Kona this September. CSE Kona Welcomes Kier Kalehua Parker, CSW I We welcome Kier Kalehua Parker who was recently appointed as a Community Service Worker I in the Kona district. “Kalehua” is a dedicated mother of two sons, Kamuela (22) and Ka‘i‘ama (16). On her free time she enjoys spending time with family and farming Kalo (Taro) with her husband Kapena at their home in Hilo. Prior to accepting her position with the County, Kalehua recently graduated from Hawai‘i Community College and was employed by the Lyman Museum as a Museum Assistant providing visitors with information, customer service, and conducting museum tours. Kalehua is highly enthusiastic and looks forward to a wonderful career in serving the kupuna of Hawai‘i Island. Congratulations and welcome to the EAD ohana! County of Hawai‘i Offers Home Repair Loans The Office of Housing and Community Development is currently accepting applications to its’ Residential Repair Program (RRP). The RRP is a low interest loan program available to eligible low-and moderate-income homeowners who are interested in repairing and improving their primary residence. The RRP loan can be used for, but not limited to, roof repairs, electrical and plumbing work, sewer improvements, termite treatment, repairs to damages caused by termites or wood rot and the installation of a solar water heating system. In addition, it could be used for home modifications to meet the needs of a person with disabilities. Loans range from $2,500 to $25,000 at 3% simple interest. Loan payments are deferred for 15 years, at which time full payment will be due. Applicants 62 years or older or with persons with a disability, may be eligible to have 30% of the principal balance of the loan forgiven at end of the loan period. Applications and program information may be found on-line at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing. For more information or an application packet contact: Brandi Ah Yo Special Programs Coordinator County of Hawai‘i Office of Housing & Community Development Phone: (808) 959-4642 Fax: (808) 959-9308 E-mail: ohcdloans@hawaiicounty.gov Kupuna News 2 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Senior Companion Recognition Luncheon This year’s Senior Companion Recognition Luncheon was held at the Nani Mau Garden and Restaurant on May 24, 2017. Senior Companion Director, Anne (Holton) Bayley, flew in from O‘ahu to honor and thank the Senior Companions for their dedication to serve and commitment to the program. Our special guest speaker, Jason Dela Cruz, from Department of Health, provided information about emergency preparedness and sheltering in place. Senior Companions were treated to an awesome buffet lunch, received service certificates, a Senior Companion beach towel, kukui nut leis, games and prizes. Congratulations and Mahalo to our committed volunteers on the Big Island Adoracion Agregado Violet Loo Lucy Makuakane Edith Miller Margery Moore Ellen O’Kelly Michael O’Kelly Odetta Peralta Patricia Soares Shirley Stillman Kupuna News 3 July - September 2017 West Hawai‘i Coordinated Services for the Elderly Volunteer Recognition Luncheon West Hawai‘i CSE volunteers gathered at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center on April 21, 2017 for our annual volunteer recognition luncheon. We were blessed to have special guest speakers Council members Maile David, Karen Eoff, and Dru Kanuha who addressed the volunteers and staff and presented a certificate of appreciation. “CSE Volunteers Help Plant Seeds of Love”….Mahalo to all of our wonderful volunteers! Kupuna News 4 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Elderly Recreation Services Iris Higa, Program Director (808) 961-8710 Randell Kokubun, N/S Hilo 961-8710, Margaret Yafuso, Puna/Ka‘ū 966-5801, Kelly Hudik, West Hawai‘i 323-4330 ELDERLY RECREATION SERVICES ERS has kicked off the first half of the year with a BANG! Our program strives to service the senior community with creative and fun activities to help encourage a healthy social and physical well being. And that’s exactly what we are doing. We’ve added new events and classes for 2017 which have been a great success. Thank you seniors for continuing to support ERS. Call our offices at: Hilo 961-8710, Kea‘au 966-5801 and Kona 323-4330 for more information about our programs, or visit us online at www.hawaiicounty.gov 2nd Annual Hawai‘i Senior Ukulele Festival The 2017 annual event was held at Sangha Hall and was a huge success. Over 400 seniors from around the island came together for great entertainment provided by local talents Mark Yamanaka, Lito Arkangel and the seniors themselves. 13 awesome performances were done by our very own senior clubs and ukulele classes. Seniors were able to play their ukuleles and sing along with each group performance. It was a great day with wonderful company and music. Kupuna News 5 July - September 2017 Senior Club Activity Volcano Seniors visiting OK Farms. Pōmaika‘i Seniors enjoying a cooking demonstration from Seniors Living in Paradise’s Derek Kurisu and George Yoshida. The Kona Regional Senior Club enjoyed a guided tour of the beautiful West Hawai‘i Community College campus at Palamanui. Kea‘au Seniors - at the dog pound - towel doggies. Pāhala Seniors at OK Farms listening to Ala Keolanui talk about the rescue adventures at Rainbow Falls. Seniors of Paradise Pua Kea Halau’s annual Mini Merrie Monarch Show held on April 20 at the HPP Activity Center. The Kailua Kona Senior Club celebrated Mother's Day with a tea luncheon and shared memories of their mothers. Pa‘auilo Seniors excursion to Akatsuka Orchid Farm. The Kohala Senior Club hosted the Waimea Senior Club for a Ground Golf Social at Kamehameha Park. “We had beautiful weather, great food and a good time was had by all!” Kupuna News 6 Information & Assistance (808) 961-8777 May Day Is Lei Day In Hawai‘i This year we celebrated May Day at Hale Halawai with 250 seniors from around the Island. Participants were able to make plumeria leis, weave lauhala bracelets, make shell bracelets, learn the art of palm weaving and dance a hula. Senior clubs also had the chance to entertain with a skit, hula or playing music. We capped off the day with a Island inspired fashion show and the winners of our lei contest. Mahalo to everyone for celebrating May Day with us! Kupuna News 7 July - September 2017 ERS Events 2017 State Senior Karaoke Revue 35 talented seniors from Hilo, Kona, Maui and O‘ahu came to perform at Aunty Sally’s Lu‘au Hale. The event was co-sponsored by the Kamana Karaoke Club and they enjoyed a fun filled day. 2017 Senior Bowling Tournament The Senior Bowling Tournament was held on May 4th at KBXtreme in Kona. 70 bowlers from around the Big Island participated in the one day event. Which included cookie strikes, a delicious buffet lunch, door prizes as well as Division Prizes. Men’s Division A 1st Place: Lionel Tatsutani 2nd Place: Kyle Ancheta 3rd Place: Nick Berido Women’s Division A 1st Place: Linda Matsushita 2nd Place: Margaret Awong 3rd Place: Susan Sutch Men’s Divison B 1st Place: Roy Toma 2nd Place: Rick Armington 3rd Place: Bobby Dalu Women’s Division B 1st Place: Ruth Beauchamp 2nd Place: Joyce St. Arnault 3rd Place: Violet Mateo Men’s Division C 1st Place: Ed Ueda 2nd Place: Mike Kaneko 3rd Place: Yoriyuki Kano Women’s Division C 1st Place: Elaine Chapman 2nd Place: Mitzie Taniyama 3rd Place: Emiko Kaneko 35th Anniversary Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival The 35th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival will be held the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa, September 13th and 14th. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and performances begin at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are just $15 per person per night. The Royal Court appearance will precede Solo performances and the International Ho‘olaule‘a Wednesday night and the Kane, Wahine, and Mixed Group competitions on Thursday night. 19 halau have entered the festival to date. This year’s theme ‘O Ke One Kaulana O Kahelelani A I Nā ‘Ala Onaona O Kamawaelualani” focuses on songs written about the Islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the Special Programs office located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. B. For more information about the 35th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival call Special Programs at 323-4340. Kupuna News 8 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Kaui Paleka-Kama, Program Director, (808) 961-8730 Kathleen Azevedo, East Hawai‘i (808) 961-8730, Joy Foster, West Hawai‘i (808) 323-4333 Ho`omana Ke Kupuna February 23, 2017 Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel HOVE, North & South Kohala and North & South Kona 2017 Recognition Luncheon Mahalo to Errol Ishimine for providing the wonderful pre-entertainment. 5 YEAR AWARDEES: Lucy Ferguson, Judy Hill, Della Henriques, Dan Reimer, Theresa Macion, John Bigler, Victoria Mamac, Pauline Shinshiro, Rena Rainbow, Clara Lewis, Errol Ishimine, Claire Inman, Itsuko Yamano & Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) Rep. Tulsi Gabbard 10 YEAR AWARDEES: Bette Green, Stephanie Stearns, Elaine Warner, Judy Bell, Eleanor Rodrigues & Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) Kupuna News 9 July - September 2017 15 YEAR AWARDEES: David Gomes & Patsy Aki with Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) 20 YEAR AWARDEES: Aiko Ichishita, Mitsuo Nagai, Irie Nagai, Chizuko Nakamura, Rose Onaka, Marilyn Sakata & Saeko Sato 25 YEAR AWARDEE: Zachary DeBernardi & Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) Robbie Robertson (Senator Schatz), Barbara Kossow (Mayor’s Office) & Debbie Wills (HCOA) RSVP Advisory Council 25+ years of service: Gladys Nanbu (28 yrs), Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) & Suga Suzuki (27 yrs) Our apologies, correction to program: June Coelho—9 years (Kohala) MAHALO! to Mr. Frank DeLima for providing the laughs for all 3 RSVP Recognition Luncheons! Special thanks to the Kohala Senior Club Kupuna News 10 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Ho`omana Ke Kupuna Empowering Seniors Hilo Town March 17, 2017 @ Nani Mau Gardens 2017 Recognition Luncheon 5 YEAR AWARDEE: Roann Okamura (EAD Dir) & Evalani Hirano MAHALO to Michael Haleakala for providing the beautiful pre-entertainment music! FRIENDS Mayor Harry Kim Honoring the RSVP volunteers! 10 YEAR AWARDEES: Back—Arlene Waugh, Madeline Silva, Mel Miyasaki, Kay Fukuda, Aiko Nakamura, Roann Okamura (EAD Dir). Front—Mary Figueroa, Catherine McBroom, Youku Kato, Elaine Yamaguchi, Grace Tomita & Alice Kaneko 15 YEAR AWARDEES: Roann Okamura (EAD Dir), Emiko Hamakawa, Robert Young & Garry Maeda SMILES Kupuna News 11 July - September 2017 Our apologies to those inadvertently not included in the program: 4 years—Rebecca Dudoit & Ilene Hara 5 years—Marcelino Ganancial 13 years—Josephine Cox Name correction: 13 years—Aileen Obina FUN! FUN! FUN! 20 YEAR AWARDEES: Roann Okamura (EAD Dir), Sue Kajiwara, Shigeno Kawamoto & Ed Madamba 25+ YEARS OF SERVICE: Roann Okamura (EAD Dir), Pat Abe, Kirino Muraoka, Annie Aoki (26 yrs), Beatrice Isemoto (27 yrs), Helen Young (31 yrs) & Virginia Maeda (29 yrs). Seated—Dorothy Williams (36 yrs) Laughter provided by Mr. Frank DeLima Kupuna News 12 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Nutrition Program Highlights Carla Carpenter Kabalis, Program Director, (808) 961-8726 Michael Au, Community Service Program Assistant II, (808) 961-8726 We are Excited to Introduce our New CSW III Staff Members to our Nutrition Team Nadeen Kahananui aka Tiki Holualoa Nutrition Mildred Ome aka Healani Waimea Nutrition Keanalu Chartrand aka Nalu Papa‘aloa Nutrition Kupuna News 13 July - September 2017 Companionship, togetherness, and laugther Nutrition Sites on outing's, fun activities, and mini-adventures….. Kohala Visits Hawai‘i Wildlife Center located in Halā‘ula, Kohala Pāhoa Seniors enjoying a lunch outing at Miyo’s Restaurant located in Hilo Lovely hula hands: Holualoa Hula classes taught by Barbara Higa on every other Monday 9am-10am Nā‘ālehu Nutrition Learning new ways to interact with each other while playing new games Hilo Nutrition Dressing the part of St. Patrick's day to avoid getting pinched by their fellow leprechauns Kupuna News 14 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 Senior Training & Employment Program Mark Kunzer - Program Director, (808) 961-8750 HERE'S THE NEWS SENIORS IN TRAINING STEP Enrollee, Ms. Nancy Pearson is training as a Clerical Aide at Hawai‘i County Police Department, Driver’s License Section. STEP Enrollee, our newest participant Ms. Mary McLaughlin is currently training as a Senior Community Service Aide at Hawai‘i County, Office of Aging. STEP Enrollee, Mr. Dean Cline is currently training as a Maintenance Aide at Kamana Senior Center. The Senior Training & Employment Program (STEP) assists eligible, unemployed, low-income job seekers age 55 and over in getting temporary but current work experience. STEP helps Seniors receive training to allow them to return to the workforce at large. It provides temporary, paid, part-time work experience in community service. County of Hawai‘i Parks & Recreation, Elderly Activities Division Senior Training and Employment Program 1055 Kino‘ole Street Suite 107 Hilo, HI 96720-3872 Telephone: (808) 961-8750 Fax: (808) 961-8752 Kupuna News 15 July - September 2017 Coordinated Services for the Elderly CSW III’s (961-8777 Hilo / 323-4320 Kona) Roann Okamura, EAD Director Coran Kitaoka, Op. Assistant Director Jun Ishimine, Hilo Billie Keawekane-Beere, Hilo Roblynn “Missy” Yomes, Hilo Janice Klingenberg, Kona Angie Onaka, Kona Terry Terada, Kona Hawai‘i County Nutrition Program CSW III’s (961-8726 Hilo) Maureen Denning, Hilo Kanoe Lee, Pepe‘ekeō Jessie Rodrigues, Pa‘auilo Keanalu “Nalu” Chartrand, Pāpa‘aloa Catherine Luthe, Honoka‘a Mildred “Healani” Ome, Waimea Renee Gonsalves, Kohala Tereza Waite, Kailua-Kona Nadeen “Tiki” Kahananui, Hōlualoa Helen Lindsey, Kealakekua Tereza Anderson, Ocean View Julie Ann Pasquale, Pāhala Charline Blanco, Nā‘ālehu Adelaide Velasco, Kea‘au Cindy Aragon, Pāhoa CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 4: INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY 7: RSVP: Kona Blood Drive Kailua LDS Church,11:00 a.m.–5:15 p.m. Joy Foster, (808) 323-4333 10: ERS: Summer Classes Begin 18: EAD: I&A District Team Meetings East Hawai‘i ADRC Training Room, (Hilo), 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Covers Hāmākua through Ocean View districts CSE Hilo, (808) 961-8777 19: EAD: I&A District Team Meetings West Hawai‘i WHCC County Council Conference Room, Bldg. A, (Kona) 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Covers N/S Kohala through South Kona districts CSE Kona, (808) 323-4320 20: RSVP: Hilo Blood Drive Aunty Sally’s Lu‘au Hale, 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Kathleen Azevedo, (808) 961-8730 26: ERS: 1st Annual Bon Dance Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Margaret Yafuso, (808) 966-5801 Randell Kokubun, (808) 961-8710 AUGUST 7-13: ERS: State Senior Citizen Softball Tournament Patsy Mink Complex, O‘ahu Randell Kokubun, (808) 961-8710 18: STATEHOOD DAY HOLIDAY SEPTEMBER 4: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY 14-15: ERS: 35th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Craft Fair 8:00 a.m. Doors open 4:30 p.m., Starts 5:00 p.m. Kelly Hudik, (808) 323-4340 17-23: STEP: Employ The Older Worker Week Mark Kunzer, (808) 961-8750 18: ERS: Fall Class Registration Begins Hilo (808) 961-8710, Kea‘au (808) 966-5801, Kona (808) 322-4340 For more information about senior programs and events please call 961-8777 or 323-4320 The County of Hawai‘i does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions or access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs or activities. Should you require any special needs, contact the respective program at least 10 days prior to the event. If you are unable to provide the advance notice, the Elderly Activities Division staff will attempt to make a reasonable accommodation to satisfy the request as long as it does not impose an undue hardship.