LIHU‘E — Seven outstanding Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau residents were acknowledged for their work, achievements and character Saturday during the Kaua‘i Museum Living Treasures of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau Awards Banquet at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Guided by a
LIHU‘E — Seven outstanding Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau residents were acknowledged for their work, achievements and character Saturday during the Kaua‘i Museum Living Treasures of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau Awards Banquet at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
Guided by a triple whammie of emcees including former Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, Kaua‘i County Council member Dickie Chang and songwriter and entertainer Chucky Boy Chock, the audience of several hundred people filling the resort’s Grand Ballroom had numerous opportunities to congratulate the honorees and get acquainted with those they did not know through the special memorabilia display boards exhibiting the honoree’s accomplishments.
Ezra Reuben Kanoho, a former Hawai‘i representative for the 15th District of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau and a lifelong resident of Kaua‘i, was honored for Excellence in Public Service.
He was joined by Tad Miura Sr., an award-winning business owner and realtor and another lifelong Kaua‘i resident.
Philanthropist David W. Pratt, former president and CEO of Grove Farm Co., was the third of the individuals honored for Excellence in Public Service.
Julia Chandler Sueoka of Kekaha, an acknowledged master lei maker and floral designer, was honored for Excellence in the Art of Lei Making, a skill she attributes to her mother, Alexandrine Kalama Peahu, who encouraged her to preserve the art of lei making.
Dr. Ramon De La Pena, described as an agronomist, professor emeritus and current member of the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, was acknowledged for Excellence in Agriculture for his status as being a leading expert on taro production, producing more than 85 scientific papers on tropical agriculture at the university’s Kaua‘i Extension Service station from 1967 to 2001.
Tut Ane Kanahele, opening the day’s celebration with a pule in her inimitable voice, was recognized for Excellence in Hawaiian Culture and Language.
Born and raised on Ni‘ihau, “Mama Ane” is one of the island’s most prolific composers of himeni, or Hawaiian hymns, her song compositions coming to her through visions, dreams and in the spirit through her sad times.
Thomas Ho‘ohie Takahashi, another Ni‘ihau-born Kauaian, received his first spiritual encounter at age 9 while listening to his mother play slack key guitar. The bishop of the Kekaha ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was honored for Excellence as a Hawaiian Spiritual Practitioner.
Kusaka, Chang and Chock serve as co-chairs of the Living Treasure Committee which includes Napua Knight, Leroy Lagmay, Lyah Kama-Drake and Jane Gray, executive director of the Kaua‘i Museum.
The Kaua‘i Museum is a privately owned, nonprofit museum opened in 1960 through the efforts of its founders who had a community-focused vision.
Visit www.kauaimuseum.org, or call 245-6931 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
