KAPA‘A — Hideko Koigawachi had a special visitor, Monday. Her granddaughter, Rae, flew over from O‘ahu to celebrate the matriarch’s 102nd birthday at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital’s auditorium. Josie Pablo, the recreation director for Mahelona Hospital, said Koigawachi, born
KAPA‘A — Hideko Koigawachi had a special visitor, Monday.
Her granddaughter, Rae, flew over from O‘ahu to celebrate the matriarch’s 102nd birthday at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital’s auditorium.
Josie Pablo, the recreation director for Mahelona Hospital, said Koigawachi, born in Lihu‘e, is the oldest resident they have in the long-term care unit.
“Rae has the same birthday as her grandmother,” Pablo said. “She also shares the same Japanese name.”
Koigawachi was visited by her son, Gordon, and his family from Lihu‘e. Gordon’s daughter, Rae, and her husband from O‘ahu arrived with birthday wishes and special celebratory foods for the matriarch and hospital patients.
“She lived with them for 43 years before coming to the hospital,” Pablo said. “But they still come to visit her and the other residents every day.”
Additionally, Naoko Ho, one of the Japanese dancers who provided entertainment for Koigawachi and the other hospital residents, said she, too, was a Koigawachi because she had an aunt, Grace Koigawachi.
Clesson Lee, one of Koigawachi’s great-grandsons, was hoping he could make the celebration like he did last year when she celebrated her 101st birthday. Unfortunately, he had to catch a plane to Hilo where he attends the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo that held its first day of class for the fall semester.
Koigawachi has three other children besides her son, Gordon. A daughter, Ellen Yoshii, is on the Big Island, and two sons, Batch and Hideo are in California and were unable to attend the celebration.
For more on the birthday celebration, visit www.thegardenisland.com for the video presentation.
