Mother’s Day. These two powerful words say it all. Today, islanders and the rest of the state, country and world will take a “day off” to honor mothers and let them know what each of them means to us. While
Mother’s Day.
These two powerful words say it all. Today, islanders and the rest of the state, country and world will take a “day off” to honor mothers and let them know what each of them means to us.
While traditionally this special day is observed annually on the second Sunday of each May, let’s just keep it at the top of our minds that it’s really every day of the year.
The small things we do are the big ones that matter throughout the year. Beyond this special day, I would also like to recognize every woman who is both a mom, entrepreneur, career professional, home maker and, yes, even peace maker as well as caregiver, home-made chef, coach and organizer.
During the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with several women who have dual roles and are the everyday working professionals, entrepreneurs, as well as business and community leaders.
Sandi Kato-Klutke is the first person who comes to mind as she served as the chair of the Board of Directors when I first arrived at the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce. Like her predecessor, Darney Proudfoot, both proud Kapa‘a High School alumnae, their footprint — while small — were extensive and significant.
Each had a career, was involved in nonprofit community organizations and eventually led organizations while at the same time juggled their careers as a mom to their children, mentor to their staff and — most of all — serving as both advocate and leader for their respective organizations and businesses.
At the recent retirement-roast of Kato-Klutke — where seven friends and colleagues joined 200 attendees to roast/toast Sandi — each roaster echoed a similar theme throughout their comments: Strong, honest, tough, humorous and, most of all, compassionate (and yes, a little scary! What do you expect from someone less than 5’6” and who only sees very, very few people eye-to-eye!).
Kato-Klutke, like her contemporaries, is representative of other Kaua‘i women leaders and entrepreneurs who represent different sectors of our economy, including Sonia Topenio, Kathy Miyake, Joyce Vidinha and Julie Kim, Sue Kanoho, Marynel Valenzuela, Denise Wardlow, Christina Gabrielle, Kathy Clark, Patty Ewing, Barbara Bennett, Darlene Chung, and the list goes on and on.
The point here is that Kaua‘i women continue to contribute to the economic development and community well-being of our economy and ‘ohana as well as help to shape policies that affect our island community. Politically, for example, at the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Kaua‘i Representative Dee Morikawa and at the Kaua‘i County Council, councilwomen JoAnn Yukimura and Nadine Nakamura.
All three women who continue to provide voices that yes, we may not always agree with, but more than that, their tenacity, commitment to public service, and genuine interest to contribute their manao and viewpoints, which provide perspectives essential to insuring that bills and legislation are vetted in a manner that provides at least some important aspect that their male counterparts may not always see and or agree with.
What matters is that the input they each receive from the public is discussed and analyzed in a discussion and process before a decision is made to vote for or against a bill or ordinance.
Unfortunately, during these past few months, in the news we have also watched with horror about domestic violence against women and other crimes committed not only in Ohio but also in India as well as on our own Garden Island. Recent legislation vetted and passed by the legislature aimed at clarifying and defining language aimed at abusers now awaits passage by the governor. I’ll keep the bill on my short list and at top of mind. In the meantime …
Experience “wahine power” and attend the YWCA’s annual Na Wahine Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Awards Luncheon on May 23 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year’s honorees include Claudia Brown (Home Birth Kaua‘i), Nancy Golden (Child and Family Service Hawai‘i) and Stacy Ricciardi (Boot Camp by Stacy). Each honoree continues a tradition of kuleana and aloha like the previous awardees, some of whom include Kato-Klutke, Kanoho, Kuulei Santos and “Auntie” Stella Burgess.
Join them and experience the power of women as men and women come together to honor three of our own. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ywcakauai.org/NaWahine or by calling 245-5959.
