NUKOLII — These are a very special breed of people, said Bev Muraoka, Thursday at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. Muraoka served as the hostess for the annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program luncheon where more than 150 RSVP volunteers
NUKOLII — These are a very special breed of people, said Bev Muraoka, Thursday at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort.
Muraoka served as the hostess for the annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program luncheon where more than 150 RSVP volunteers and their guests attended the luncheon.
“We have about 200 volunteers registered on Kauai, but not everyone could attend,” said Celia Melchor-Questin, the RSVP director.
Gerald Ako, representing Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, said senior volunteers work to strengthen and improve the quality of life in all communities.
“We are who we are because of you,” he said.
In a letter from Hirono, Ako said RSVP volunteers put in more than 35,000 hours of service which come from the heart.
Melchor-Questin said the monetary value of RSVP volunteers amount to $630,000 in savings to government.
“These volunteers work in a wide variety of services from helping elders in their homes, tutoring children, helping the Kauai Habitat for Humanity build homes,” Melchor-Questin said. “They work in gift shops, thrift shops, environmental preservation, museums and hospitals.”
Marie Petro, a volunteer for 23 years, works with the National Tropical Botanical Garden in crafts.
“When I first got here, I went to a NTBG plant sale,” Petro said. “It was nowhere near what craft sales are like today. A friend I knew who was working asked if I would like to volunteer, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Fusako Dato, at 93 years young, has been volunteering at the Kilauea Senior Center for 31 years.
“When they opened the center, my husband, Juan Dato, was the chairman,” Fusako said. “I was too young to volunteer, then. I have been at the center so long, I can’t remember when I started volunteering.”
Dato said she just plays around with the seniors.
“I love the center,” she said. “I enjoy going there because everyone is so nice to me. I’m getting too young so I don’t go there like before. All my life, I’ve been there. The people have really helped me.”
Wanda Kau-Shibata, the governor’s Kauai liaison, said Gov. Neil Abercrombie is appreciative and thankful each day for the services RSVP provides to the government, and community nonprofits.
“As we enter the holiday season, the governor wants you to reflect on the number of lives you touched in 2013,” Shibata said. “And think about how many more lives you will touch in 2014.”
Dato, Betty Yamane, and Lillian Takiguchi were offered special recognition for more than 30 years of service.
RSVP volunteers recognized for five years of service include Jane Asher, Geil “Connie” Conceptcion, Lawrence Kashiwabara, Lorna Katayama, Lorna Nishiguchi, and Lillian Vasques.
Carol Ayson, Lourdes Domingo, Helga Efhan, Merle Honjiyo, Stella Kaneko, Ellen Kitabayashi, Bill Laidlaw, Dolores Sarmento, Lorin Wade and James Yamamoto were honored for 10 years of service.
RSVP volunteers with 15 years of service include Monica Amorin, Michiye Funaku, Richard Kashiwabara, Irene Maeda, Kathy Matayoshi, Yvonne Mukai, and Lillian Takanishi.
Annie Cabanting and Alfonso “Gus” Garcia were honored for 20 years of service.
Misao Tamura, Dorothy Higuchi, Kay Matsuwaki, and Chizue Teshima were applauded for 25 years of service.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
