WAILUA — Kauai County Council member Derek Kawakami always has a surfboard on his truck, and on Tuesday, the surfboard was put to use for John Kaulukukui as he took to the water at Morgan’s Pond at the Lydgate Park.
Kaulukukui is one of the 41 residents — 35 from the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, and six from the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital — who enjoyed a day at the beach, the first of several planned by the hospitals for the summer.
“It’s good to have the seniors out in the open and breathing fresh air,” said a spectator.
Josie Pablo, recreation director for Mahelona Hospital, said she doesn’t remember how long the residents have been treated to the day at the beach, but has been working at Mahelona Hospital for at least 30 years.
“Look,” she said. “We have a special guest. Tommy Noyes of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park came to check on the logs, and now, he can’t leave because he’s watching us and getting photos for social media. We also have Gary Smith and the Kilauea Social Club providing entertainment, and it’s not even Christmas.”
The beach undertaking involves a lot of collaboration and working together, Pablo said.
Kawakami and fellow councilman Mason Chock helped with the different tasks involved in the beach outing.
“This is pretty fun stuff,” Chock said. “If it was me (in the wheelchair), all they have to do is get me to the water, and I’ll be alright.”
Mahelona Hospital has plans for a second outing later in the summer.
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital plans to have its beach outing, July 24 starting at 9 a.m. at the Salt Pond Beach Park.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
