KEKAHA — They called it a “dance,” but the elders in attendance did much more socializing than salsa-ing. Maybe when you get to be their age, expressions of love are best shared across a table or seated side by side,
KEKAHA — They called it a “dance,” but the elders in attendance did much more socializing than salsa-ing.
Maybe when you get to be their age, expressions of love are best shared across a table or seated side by side, talking story with friends old and new, as opposed to slow dancing for all to see in broad daylight.
Such was the setting Friday morning as over 200 senior citizens from various Kaua‘i senior centers converged at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center for the Third Annual Senior Valentine’s Day Dance.
Melanie Okamoto, the senior programs coordinator from the county’s Offices of Community Assistance, said the seniors came from as far away at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center to attend the event that featured live music provided through the generosity of Marie and Stan Yadao, Marie Yadao having to take a vacation day from her job to make it possible for the seniors to enjoy the day.
“This is really good,” Okamoto said. “They donate their services every year so the seniors can enjoy themselves.”
And enjoy they did, as small groups made their way to a central dance floor situated in the outside pavilion of the Kekaha center while others mingled among the picnic tables to chat with friends and acquaintances.
Site leaders and neighborhood-center directors were also on hand to tend to the needs of the seniors, who spent the day catching up on the latest events from the other senior centers, enjoying refreshments, and the live music that continued nonstop until the lunch break.
Okamoto said that a new facet of this year’s dance was the introduction of a cake contest, where each of the senior centers submitted an entry that was judged for prizes.
The Better Than Sex cake submitted by the Hanapepe seniors took top honors, followed by a creamy cheesecake from the Kalaheo seniors.
A chiffon cake with peach frosting from the Waimea seniors rounded out the leaders.
Okamoto said that credit for the event should go to Hanapepe Neighborhood Center director Russell Wellington, who along with the Hanapepe seniors coordinated and organized the whole event, Wellington being tied up announcing lucky numbers and other events of the day.
Sports Editor Dennis Fujimoto may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
