WAIMEA — “My crown is too tight,” said Chiyoko Hashimoto. “Why do I have to walk up there. I didn’t do anything.”
Hashimoto was one of 14 members of the Valentine’s Day court who had to promenade in the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital activity room while being introduced Wednesday during the first Valentine’s Day celebration for residents, their families, and the hospital staff.
“I have never seen anything like this in the more than 30 years I’ve been with the hospital,” said Josie Pablo, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital recreation director. “Look at the Valentine Queen. She’s actually crying from the emotion.”
Nobue Watanabe was overcome with emotion as she was introduced as the KVMH Valentine Queen during the potluck lunch gathering.
Escorted by her son, Ricky Watanabe, the queen, who worked as a secretary for the military in Koke‘e, was joined by the KVMH Valentine King, Cipriano Otoman, a ditchman for the Kekaha Sugar Co. for more than 46 years.
Pablo said similar to the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. sister hospital Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, the KVMH staff pulled together and created the celebratory occasion for the benefit of the residents and their families.
“This is a day for wine, candies, and flowers,” Pablo said. “Sonflorist in Kapaa always donates flowers for the Mahelona residents. Dean Oshiro and Kala said they would help by donating 20 additional vases — enough for each of the KVMH residents. The Mahelona Hospital Auxiliary also came up with the red roses for the staff and other ladies in the hospital.”
Members of the Valentine Day court included 14 lovely princesses, including Hashimoto, Mitsue Kimoto, Naoko Ogata, the second- oldest resident at KVMH who only recently celebrated her 100th birthday, Esther Agor, and Ruth Togioka, who was born in Honomu on the Big Island and worked for Hakala Store before coming to Kauai.
Michiyo Hori was born in Kekaha and was a licensed practical nurse for 34 years at the Waimea Hospital and Dispensary, and Elaine Hirano was a registered nurse at KVMH.
Leonora Sapinoso, Haruko Sakai, Takeko Agena, Aiko Yamamoto, Lucy Kanoa, Bernice Ragragola and Esmenia Pascua rounded out the court members.
Carla Dusenberry, Sakai’s granddaughter, was among the guests, bringing a contribution of Pineapple Upside Down Cake for the potluck.
“This is grandma’s favorite,” Dusenberry said. “Whenever we have an event like this, we shut the lunch wagon and come to support. Grandma, she was the one who coordinated all the food at the Hanapepe Soto Zen bon dances. This year, we, the entire church, will be helping put together a bon dance for the residents, just like the one Mahelona Hospital has. We gotta support grandma.”
