LIHU‘E —Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. partnered with the Committee on the Status of Women and the American Cancer Society Tuesday for the final Walk and Talk Story with the Mayor. Pink punctuated the lifescape on Kaua‘i throughout the month of
LIHU‘E —Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. partnered with the Committee on the Status of Women and the American Cancer Society Tuesday for the final Walk and Talk Story with the Mayor.
Pink punctuated the lifescape on Kaua‘i throughout the month of October and came to a climax during the Walk and Talk Story event as pink balloons sprouted in the rotunda of the Mo‘ikeha Building, welcoming walkers who were also garbed in pink.
“I’ve got my pink on and I’m not going anywhere,” said Rep. Dee Morikawa who earlier in the morning attended the dedication of the Kaua‘i Fire Department Fire Safety trailer.
Jade Waiale‘ale Battad of Ke Akua Mana Church, who officiated at the dedication of the Fire Safety trailer, said the Committee on the Status of Women and the American Cancer Society partnered with Get Fit Kaua‘i to raise awareness about breast cancer and close off the month-long celebration.
“We’re going to have Zumba before the walk because everyone asked for it,” Battad said. “We have a breast cancer survivor, Oei Lan Kahale, joining the opening and Susan Ellis, the mammographer at the G.N. Wilcox Memorial Hospital, was on hand with information on cancer as well as being available to talk to people about cancer.”
Kahale said she’s halfway through her treatment right now.
“I’m on chemo, now,” she said. “I’ve got about six more in a 12-treatment program. After that, I go through radiation.”
Regina Carvalho, the mayor’s wife and the head of the Committee on the Status of Women, said cancer affects everyone.
“Men can get breast cancer, too,” she said. “A lot of men think breast cancer is just a women’s thing, but they need to be aware because men can get it, too.”
Bev Brody, the Get Fit Kaua‘i island coordinator, showed up with a completely pink outfit, but discovered her cowboy hat with flashing lights wouldn’t work.
“Thank heaven for the Department of Parks and Recreation,” Brody said ahead of the pre-walk Zumba. “They fixed my hat.”
Deslynn Jaquias and Donna Olivas-Kaohi were the Zumba leaders, Jaquias getting excited about unveiling her new clothing designs and designer Saturday afternoon during the First Saturday event at Sugar Mill Cupcakes in Kapa‘a.
During the lunchtime walk, Carvalho, balloons flapping in the tradewinds, and his entourage paused at the Made on Kaua‘i trade show, which was taking place at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
For the past eight weeks, Carvalho took to the streets each Tuesday, partnering with a different agency each week, and inviting the public to participate in a healthy lunchtime activity through the coordination of Get Fit Kaua‘i.
The series opened eight weeks ago when Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry and KPD officers, garbed in full uniform as a tribute to the Sept. 11 victims, joined the mayor.
Other groups partnering with the mayor included members of the Boys & Girls Club, who bussed in students during Fall Break, the Lihu‘e Professional Business Association and the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
