KAPA‘A — A candy cane and a box of Kaua‘i Kookie Co. cookies made a perfect metronome Friday at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital. The tap-tap, rat-a-tat of the combination was replaced by an ‘ukulele as the member of the
KAPA‘A — A candy cane and a box of Kaua‘i Kookie Co. cookies made a perfect metronome Friday at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
The tap-tap, rat-a-tat of the combination was replaced by an ‘ukulele as the member of the Kilauea Social Club trooped into the hospital’s multi-purpose room, which was decked out in holiday finery.
Under a canopy of paper garlands woven by the hospital’s residents and installed by the staff, Mahelona Hospital welcomed its residents, their families and other guests to the annual Christmas party.
“We’ve been doing this for at least 26 years,” said Josie Pablo, the hospital’s recreation director. “Everything we do is at least 26 years because that’s how long I’ve been here.”
Steeped in family and community traditions and practices, which tempered the island’s communities into what it is, the season blossomed as families embraced each other and the room became singular, bound by the unique folksy Christmas carols from the Kilauea Social Club.
“Thank you to Aunty Betty Matsumura and the Mahelona Hospital Auxiliary who made sure each resident has Christmas gifts,” Pablo said. “The Auxiliary also put up the decorations and decorated the Christmas trees located around the hospital.”
Pablo said Nancie Pigao, Nuvie Bercasio and Riza Pena headed up the staff who decorated the dining area with the help of the residents, including Mrs. Ishida, Mrs. Alejandro and Ms. Nishimura, who strung the garlands and made the ornaments.
The circle of people helping to celebrate the holidays widened to include Walmart for donating “hundreds of Christmas balls for the ornaments,” Judy Kololoia’s Food and Science class at Kapa‘a High School for making the gingerbread houses, Cost-U-Less for donating the centerpieces and gingerbread houses, Growing Greens Nursery for donating the poinsettias, and St. Catherine School Service Club for donating the goodie bags, enough for all the residents.
Myra Ornellas, the hospital’s director, said Miles Takaaze, the public affairs for the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp. of Honolulu, made a trip to “see what makes this event so special.”
Takaaze’s quest was made simpler by the music and style of the Kilauea Social Club.
“This year is very special,” Pablo said. “They don’t have Spencer Gushiken, although Jack, Spencer’s brother, and his family are here.”
Spencer was a member of the Kilauea Social Club and after his father and mother, both residents of Mahelona Hospital, came here, he brought the group to perform at the Christmas party, Pablo said.
“That was about six years ago,” Pablo said. “This year, Spencer passed away, but he’s still with us because the Kilauea Social Club is here.”
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
