HomeMy WebLinkAboutKupuna News A Magazine For And About Hawai`i's Seniors (July - September 2018)Elderly Activities Division's
Kupuna News
A. MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT HAWAI`I'S SENIORS
Vol. 20. No. 3 July - September 2018
RSVP: Blood Drives
Kailua LDS Church, July 6
Aunty Sally's Lu`au Hale, July 6
EAD: I&A Team District Meetings
East Hawai`i, ADRC, Hilo, July 17
West Hawai`i, WHCC, Kona, July 18
CSE: Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
Waimea Community Center
August 10
ERS: 2nd Annual Bon Dance
Edith Kanaka`ole Multi-Purpose Stadium
August 23
36th Annual Hawai`i Kupuna Hula Festival
Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa
September 12-13
Employ The Older Worker Week
Senior Training & Employment Program
September 16-22
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, Jodie Torres, West Hawai`i (808) 323-4320
CSE Kohala Welcomes New Community Service Program Assistant I
We would like to congratulate Jun Ishimine on her recent promotion to
Community Service Program Assistant I in North Kohala.
Jun has worked as a Community Service Worker in East Hawai`i since
2002. Her office is located at the "Old Bank of Hawai`i Building" in
Kapaau, (808) 889-6502.
Good luck and best wishes in your new position, Jun!
CSE Hilo Welcomes New Community Service Worker III
Congratulations goes out to Cherine Pai on her recent promotion to
Community Service Worker III. Cherine has been with CSE since
November 16, 2016 and started her new position on May 1, 2018.
Please stop by the CSE Hilo office at the ADRC Building to say "Hello."
Aloha Missy
Congratulations and Best wishes to Roblyn `Missy" Yomes as she
embarks on her new position with the Recreation Division. On June 1,
2018, Missy started as a Recreation Director II at the Kailua-Kona Gym.
If you're in the neighborhood, stop by to say "Hi." "Missy, stay focused,
follow your heart, this is home to you!"
Kupuna News 2 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777
Thank you AARP Taxes
For the fifth year in a row, Hilo is the #1 tax
site in the state!!! East Hawai`i's AARP Tax
Counselors crossed the finish line on April 12
completing a total of 997 tax returns. There
were 839 taxpayers aged 60 and over which
included taxpayers on a joint return.
Taxpayers were from Lower & Upper Puna
and North & South Hilo. The average income
was $13,859, $368,370 in refunds from IRS
and $164,203 in refunds from the State will be
received by our serviced taxpayers. Our Hilo
site did 12% of all the returns in the State of
Hawai`i!!! Volunteers statewide filed 8,028
returns with a total of $4,717,101 in IRS
refunds!!!
We applaud Lucy Maloney (State Monitor)
and Helena Hurd's leadership in simplifying
the process and being committed for over 18
years of volunteer service with this project.
We are also grateful for Setsuko Fukushima
and Harold Bugado's vision to collaborate for
over 30+ years with CSE. Kulia i ka nu`u,
CSE...
Mahalo CSE Volunteers Darlette and Darryl
CSE retirees Darlette Miguel and Darryl Noda
are still hard at work as CSE volunteers.
Picture of the Waimea Senior Club at
Ka`upulehu. Thank you Darlette and Darryl
for your continued dedication in helping our
Kupuna!
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:
Kimberly Pacheco
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 3 July -September 2018
July Senior Identification Card Schedule
02, Mon. Hilo Kamana Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
06, Fri. Puna Kea‘au Community Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
09, Mon. Ka‘ū Pāhala Hawai‘i Housing Center 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
09, Mon. Ka‘ū Nā‘ālehu Community Center 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
09, Mon. Kohala Kohala CSE “Old Bank of Hawai‘i Building” 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
10, Tues. Waimea Lily Yoshimatsu Senior Center 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
10, Tues. Kona Walmart, Kailua-Kona 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
11, Wed. Honoka‘a Hale Hau‘oli Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
25, Wed. Kona West Hawai‘i Civic Center - Building B 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
August
01, Wed. Puna Kea‘au Community Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
06, Mon. Hilo Kamana Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
07, Tues. Kona K-Mart, Kailua-Kona 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
08, Wed. Honoka‘a Hale Hau‘oli Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
13, Mon. HOVE St. Jude’s Church 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
13, Mon. Kohala Kohala CSE “Old Bank of Hawai‘i Building” 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
14, Tues. Waimea Lily Yoshimatsu Senior Center 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
14, Tues. Kona Walmart, Kailua-Kona 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
24, Fri. Hilo CSE Pāpa‘aloa Office 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
29, Wed. Kona West Hawai‘i Civic Center - Building B 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
September
07, Fri. Puna Kea‘au Community Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
10, Mon. Ka‘ū Pāhala Hawai‘i Housing Center 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
10, Mon. Ka‘ū Nā‘ālehu Community Center 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
10, Mon. Kohala Kohala CSE “Old Bank of Hawai‘i Building” 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
10, Mon. Hilo Kamana Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
11, Tues. Waimea Lily Yoshimatsu Senior Center 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
11, Tues. Kona Walmart, Kailua-Kona 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
11, Tues. Kona Yano Hall 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
19, Wed. Honoka‘a Hale Hau‘oli Senior Center 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
26, Wed. Kona West Hawai‘i Civic Center - Building B 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Pāhoa Senior Center is now being used as a shelter for the evacuees from the east
rift zone eruption. Senior Identification Card dates from May to December 2018 at Pāhoa
Senior Center have been canceled. For more senior citizen information and to get your
Senior Identification Card please visit the Kea‘au office, 16-186 Pili Mua Street, Kea‘au
(808) 966-5800 or the Hilo office, 1055 Kino‘ole Street, Suite 106, Hilo (808) 961-8777.
Coordinated Services for the Elderly District Offices
East Hawai‘i
Leihua Malani Hilo 961-8777
Karen Kotaki Kea‘au 966-5800
Jeffrey Gaeth Pāhoa 965-2705
Terry Saito Pāhala 928-3100
Terry Saito Nā‘ālehu 939-2504
West Hawai‘i
Junie-Ann Kamoku Kona 323-4320
Jun Ishimine Kohala 889-6502
Arlene Ohara Waimea 887-3008
Lorrie Akina-Ferguson Honoka‘a 775-7503
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 Onan Masaoka, Puna/Ka‘ū 966-5801 TBA, West Hawai‘i 323-4330
Elderly Recreation Services would like to thank each and every one of our seniors for
supporting our department at this very challenging time. We are forever grateful for everyone's
patience with our department as we work through all of our changes
and adjustments going on. Our team is coming together and will be better than ever!
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
HELLO!!!!!
Please give a warm welcome to our new Program Director,
Onan Masaoka. He will be taking care of all activities in
the Puna & Ka`u districts and will be working out of the
Kea`au Community Center. He is a great addition to our
team and we look forward to him working with the seniors.
GOODBYE!!!!!
On behalf of ERS I would like to bid farewell to our West Hawai`i
Program Director, Kelly Hudik. At the end of April Kelly started
her new position within the County for Recreation. She will
be greatly missed and we thank her for all of her hard work.
Wishing her the best in her new endeavors with her new job.
Hawai`i State Karaoke Revue
39 Singers from Honolulu, Maui, Kona and Hilo came
together to put on a great performance. Aunty Sally’s
was packed with over 250 people attending the annual event.
A variety of songs were performed by seasoned singers that love music.
Kupuna News 5 July-September 2018
2018 Ukulele Festival
The 3rd Annual Senior Ukulele Festival was a huge success with over 425 seniors participating
in this year’s event. Local entertainer, Mark Yamanaka was the special guest performer and 13
senior groups from around the island lead the program with awesome performances. 8 lucky
seniors went home with brand new ukuleles that was given out as door prizes at the end of the
program. We are looking forward to putting on another great festival next year!
Kupuna News 6 Information & Assistance (808) 961-8777
Senior Activities
Waikoloa Seniors enjoying a delicious lunch at Palamanui Culinary Arts.
Let’s Get Together and Dance!!!
Aunty Sally’s was the place to be on February 22.
The dance floor was filled and the music set the beat to an awesome nite!
Casino Day 2018
Over 300 Seniors from around the island came together to have a fun
day at the Waimea District Park. Everyone enjoyed the variety of card games,
BINGO, wheel of fortune, Craps & Roulette. It was a great event and
everyone went home as WINNERS!
Kupuna News 7 July-September 2018
Big Island Senior Golf Tournament
Congratulations to all of our winners at this year’s Big Island Senior Golf Tournament
and a big MAHALO to Allen Ikawa & Malcolm Murasaki from Big Island Candies for
your continued sponsorship of the event!
Women 55-64
1st Place: Mitzi Kadohiro
2nd Place: Sharol Awai
3rd Place: Sharon Higuchi
Men 55-64
1st Place: Don Hoota
2nd Place: Rendell Hirano
3rd Place: Jeff Sommer
Women 65+
1st Place: Annette Fujii
2nd Place: Sachiko Fuchinoue
3rd Place: Akiko Lundstrom
Men 65+
1st Place: Kosuke Tamashiro
2nd Place: Al Tanaka
3rd Place: Clarence Go
36th Anniversary Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival
The 36th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival will be held at the Sheraton
Kona Resort & Spa, September 12th and 13th. 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.
20 halau have entered the festival to date. This year’s theme
“Nā Mele ‘Āina no Kohala, Kona me Ka‘u” focuses on songs written about the
districts of Kohala, Kona and Ka‘u.
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 36th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival call
Elderly Recreation Services at (808) 961-8710 or (808) 323-4340.
Kupuna News 8 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Kam Paleka-Kama, Program Director, (808) 961-8730
Kathleen Azevedo, East Hawai`i (808) 961-8730, Joy Foster, West Hawai`i (808) 323-4333
HOVE, North & South Kohala, North & South Kona
2018 Recognition Event * February 28, 2018
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Ho`oulu Ka Mana Ke Kūpuna Growing Empowered Seniors
Estella Baoy & Aiko Pennington
25 years of volunteer service
With Joy Foster, RSVP Community
Service Program Assistant-West HI
HONORING 25+ YEARS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE!
Dedication
Glady Nanbu—29 years
Zachary DeBernardi—26 years
With Roann Okamura, EAD Dir and
Maurice Messina, P & R Dep Dir
20 Years
Caroline Nobriga, Violet Caravalho, Dorothy Kelepolo,
Madeline Gonsalves, Mamie Bramlett & Eleonore Yeto
15 Years
Margaret Capelli, Marilyn Debus, Lora Nagle,
Leonita Guitang, Sumiko Kawasaki & Eric Mukai
Special Recognition Mr. Wally Ichishita still Volunteering at a 103 years young!
10 Years
Front: Gladys Nelson, Elna Pendleton & June Coelho
Back: George “Dick” Hershberger, Robert “Bob” Green,
Patricia & Lawrence “Tito” Pasco, Lorraine Yadao,
David “Dave” Byers & Lee Lorenz
Kupuna News 9 July-September 2018
5 Years
Pat Aarhus, Liberty & George Rivera, Annirene Miller & Janet Okimoto
MAHALO to the TAD HUMBLE PROJECT for the beautiful pre-entertainment music!
Honoring the Volunteers
Robbie Robertson Sen. Schatz’s office
Wil Okabe Managing Dir
Maurice Messina P & R Dep Dir
Valerie Poindexter, Dru Kanuha, Maile David & Karen Eoff—County Council
MAHALO!
Darlene Ahuna for the wonderful entertainment!
Kupuna News 10 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777
HILO TOWN
2018 RECOGNITION EVENT
March 23, 2018 at Nani Mau Gardens
HONORING 30+ YEARS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE!
30 Years
Virginia Maeda 30 years of volunteer service @ Hilo Medical Center Gift Shop
With Roann Okamura, EAD Dir & Maurice Messina, P & R Dep Dir
30+ Years
Dorothy Williams—37 years &
Helen Young—32 years of service
With Maurice Messina, P & R Dep Dir & Roann Okamura, EAD Dir
25+ Years
Pat Abe, Kirino Muraoka, Annie Aoki-27 years, Beatrice Isemoto-28 years &
Morris Nakaishi-26 years
25 Years
Hisae Masaki with Maurice Messina, P & R Dep Dir & Roann Okamura, EAD Dir
20 Years
Jane Fujioka, Doris Takimoto, Anna Wescott, Lillie Tsuchiya, Amy & Harold Bugado
15 Years
Trina DeMotta, Doreen Usui, Itsue Yamasaki & Lillian Watanabe
Virginia Maeda celebrated this milestone with her family & Roann Okamura-EAD Director
10 Years
Back: Lucille Hookano, Anna Honda, Ann Kawabata,
Nancy Bowles, Patricia Dunn, May Murakami, Laura & Danny Padilla
Front: Joanne Yokote, Daghild Rick, Mae Nirei, & Reiko Matsutomi
Kupuna News 11 July-September 2018
3 Years
Arlene Buklarewicz, Rebecca Dudoit, Lola Loebl,
Eleanor Okada, David Downs & Gene Villaruel
MAHALO! Ray Peralta for providing the pre-entertainment music!
Honoring the Volunteers!
Maurice Messina, P & R Deputy Director & Mayor Harry Kim
Roann Okamura, EAD Director, Horace Farr, Hawai‘i County Office of Aging & Ian Takashiba,
representing Senator Brian Schatz
Sue LeeLoy, County Council
Mahalo Darlene Ahuna for the nahenahe music!
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
The Nutrition Program provides services for seniors 60 years and older.
If you’re homebound due to illness or disability, you may qualify
for Meals on Wheels. For more information contact the
Nutrition Program at (808) 961-8726.
Our Nutrition Program are fortunate to have such an amazing group of volunteers
that help our Nutrition team thrive. We would like to send lots of Mahalo’s to our
volunteers for being there to help us with Meals on Wheels and our Congregate
programs. We appreciate everyone of you and very grateful for having you
volunteer for our growing program.
L-R: Bernadette Newcomb, Kerry Burrell, Patricia Dunn, Eric Mukai, Judy Sumter,
Claire Bakewell, and Florence Iriguchi, missing Mai Tanaka.
Kona Meals on Wheels driver Alfred Fernandez Retires after 23 years of service..
Alfred started delivering meals in 1995.
We will miss him dearly and wish him the best.
Kupuna News 13 July-September 2018
What’s happening at the Congregate Sites?
The Vision Mobile visited Holualoa Nutrition; seniors checked their eyes.
Waimea Nutrition visited Kamuela Cucumber Farm at Lalamilo Farm Road.
DCCA Scam Alerts at Holualoa
Pāpa‘aloa Nutrition Celebrates; Mother’s Day Luncheon at Imiloa Sky Garden
RSVP volunteer Etsuko Nanashima helps with lunch at Kailua Nutrition
Aloha Onan Masaoka and Cyd Shiroma
Onan and Cyd were hired in new positions in the Department of Parks and Recreation.
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
The Senior Training & Employment Program (STEP) assists eligible,
unemployed, low-income job seekers age 55 years or older in getting
temporary but current work experience and training.
STEP helps Seniors receive training to aid them in return to the workforce.
Participants work an average of 19 hours per week and are paid at the current
minimum wage.
STEP Participants, Mr. Marc Figueira and Ms. Carrie Ikawa both training
at Parks & Recreation—Elderly Activities Division.
In March, 15 of our participants attended 8 days of Basic Computer training
at Hawai‘i Community College instructed by Mr. Evan Clark. The training
included how to internet search, organizing your and files & information.
All of the STEP participants gained valuable knowledge in preparing for the
current job market.
STEP Participants, Mr. Henry Wilson and Mr. Thomas DelaCruz
County of Hawai‘i
Parks & Recreation, Elderly Activities Division
Senior Training & Employment Program
1055 Kino`ole Street Suite 107 Hilo, HI 96720
Telephone: (808) 961-8750, Fax: (808) 961-8752
E-mail: senioremployment@hawaiicounty.gov
Kupuna News 15 July-September 2018
Coordinated Services for the Elderly CSW III’s (961-8777 Hilo & 323-4320 Kona)
Roann Okamura, EAD Director
Coran Kitaoka, Op. Assistant Director
Cherine Pai, Hilo
Vacant, Hilo
Vacant, 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
Vacant, 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
6: RSVP: Kona Blood Drive
Kailua LDS Church, 7:15 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
Joy Foster, (808) 323-4333
9: ERS: Summer Classes Begin (July 9 to September 14)
Hilo (808) 961-8710, Kea‘au (808) 966-5801,
Kona (808) 322-4340
17: 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
18: 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 North/South Kohala through South Kona districts
CSE Kona, (808) 323-4320
19: RSVP: Hilo Blood Drive
Aunty Sally’s Lu‘au Hale, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Kathleen Azevedo, (808) 961-8730
7/30-8/2: ERS: State Senior Citizen Softball Tournament, Maui
Randell Kokubun, (808) 961-8710
AUGUST
10: CSE: Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
Waimea Community Center, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Christine Namahoe-Loo, (808) 961-8777
17: STATEHOOD DAY HOLIDAY
23: ERS: 2nd Annual Bon Dance
Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Iris Higa, (808) 961-8710
SEPTEMBER
3: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
12-13: ERS: 36th 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.
Iris Higa, (808) 961-8710
16-22: STEP: Employ The Older Worker Week
Mark Kunzer, (808) 961-8750
17: ERS: Fall Class Registration Begins
Fall Classes Begin October 1 to December 7
Hilo (808) 961-8710, Kea‘au (808) 966-5801,
Kona (808) 322-4340