LIHU‘E — They could have gone anywhere, but they were so loyal, said Wanda Kau Shibata, the governor’s Kaua‘i liason, Friday.
Shibata and Carrice Caspillo, the liason office assistant, hosted 13 senior volunteers to a year-end appreciation luncheon at the Garden Island Bar B Que where the volunteers were presented Certificates of Appreciation as well as gifts for their service.
“They do a lot,” Caspillo said. “They work under the Governor’s office and answer questions about where to go and who to see, or which office to visit.”
Shibata said the volunteers were part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, but due to a recent policy change, the volunteers would face cutbacks.
“They could have gone anywhere,” Shibata said. “But instead, they remain loyal to the State Building. This is just a simple way of thanking them for all they do. They can enjoy lunch without worrying about answering questions from guests.”
Shibata said the volunteers, some of whom have served for up to 25 years, are an integral part of the State Building and the loyalty they show is not gone unappreciated.
“Wanda doesn’t just take care of us once a year, but every day,” said Bessie Maeda, a volunteer.
Other volunteers honored include Lisa Ellen Smith, Jean Dobashi, one of the newer volunteers, Richard and Jane Kashiwabara, Janice Bond, Esther Yamamoto, Jane Arita, Yoshino Hiranaka, Helen Miyake, Marjorie Konishi, Rose Kurita, Maeda and Lillian Takiguchi.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
