They truly are Kauai and Niihau’s living treasures, and they will be honored as such today.
The Living Treasures award luncheon at the Kauai Beach Resort presented by the Kauai Museum will pay tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to serving their community.
They volunteer. They teach. They coach. They share. They love. They give. They smile. Their contributions are beyond question.
There are few like them here or anywhere in this world. They exemplify the very best when it comes to the aloha spirit of Kauai. This island is blessed to have them.
So, who are these people? Let’s take a quick look, and give thanks to the Kauai Museum for this terrific event.
– Lindsay A. Faye’ Jr., “Preserving Kauai’s Sugar Heritage.” Tony Faye’s accomplishments were many, but providing affordable homeownership and rentals for plantation employees and retirees at Kekaha ranks as the most important.
– Dennis Fujimoto, “Excellence in Photo Journalism.” Integral to news reporting on Kauai for two decades, Dennis is everywhere on the island every day, covering news stories with camera and notebook.
– Mary Thronas, “Excellence in Government Service.” Mary championed concerns of the people of Kauai, not just the businesses but the everyday people.
– Ed Kenney, “Excellence as a Performing Artist.” Ed has been one of the most successful singers and actors from Hawaii. Now retired, Ed has made his home in Anahola again.
– Norman and Mabel Hashisaka, “Excellence in Business with Aloha.” Not only did they work together in a family business begun by Mabel’s father, they also worked within partnership of family businesses that bonded together to create a successful, islandwide chain of Big Save stores and businesses.
– Marina Pascua, “Excellence in Community Service.” When she volunteers in countless clubs, service organizations, at her church, and as a greeter at the Kauai Museum, she brings her passion for engaging in people with aloha.
– Frank and Abbey Santos, “Excellence in Business Leadership & Community Service.” Through Frank, a Kauai native, Abbey learned to treasure his island home in deep and meaningful ways, not only through their landscaping business, but through the perpetuation of Hawaiian salt making that has been handed down in Frank’s family for generations.
– Jay Furfaro, “Preserving Aloha in the Visitor Industry & Government.” He has a long list of public service and volunteerism to his credit including his present role as County Council Chairman where his deep understanding of Hawaiian values comes in to play daily.
– Beverly Muraoka, “Perpetuation of Hawaiian Music and Dance.” Her hula lineage is traced to a great-grandmother, a court dancer for King Kalakaua. In 2013, her halau, Healani’s Hula Halau & Music Academy, was invited to perform at the 50th Merrie Monarch Hula Festival which she did in honor of her late sister Lovey.
Thank you to these Living Treasures for who you are and all you have done. And we hope on this day, you can relax, sit back and enjoy the praise coming your way. You deserve it.
