Perry, Cantu get Order of Arrow honors

LIHUE — Boy Scouts Michael Perry and Maceo Cantu of Troop 148 earned something Kauai has never had.

Cantu was elected section chief and Perry chosen section secretary at the Order of the Arrow Conclave over the weekend at the U.S. Army’s Pohakuloa training facility on the Big Island.

“This has never happened to Kauai youth before,” said Perry. “There are only three positions: Section chief, which Maceo got, the vice section chief, and secretary. This group covers all of Hawaii and sections of the Far East.”

Lyle Tabata, Scoutmaster for Troop 148, said the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council covers Hawaii (except Maui County), Guam and American Samoa. The Order of the Arrow section includes parts of the Far East, including Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Japan. This coverage makes the Aloha Council one of the largest jurisdictions in the BSA program.

“Maseo was chosen vice section chief last year,” Tabata said. “That was a first for Kauai. This year, he ascended to section chief, and Michael was chosen section secretary. As section chief, Maseo will be going to Denver, Colorado, Texas, and Japan for further training. This year, the Order of the Arrow big conclave will be held in Japan in April. That means there is only seven months remaining before Maceo goes to Japan again. The pressure is on because that means there’s only seven month to fundraise. I am extremely proud of these boys.”

Perry and Cantu were part of the Kauai contingent, including eight Boy Scouts and six adult leaders, who traveled to the Big Island over the weekend. The group arrived home Sunday evening after dropping off several Scouts on Oahu for school.

“This is going to be challenging, but fun,” Cantu said. “It’s fun for me to help plan events and see the efforts come to fruition.”

Lihue Christian Church is the chartering organization for both Troop 148 and Cub Scout Pack 148.