‘Ohana Pacific Health Chief Human Resources Officer Kurt Akamine said the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health program has only about half of its members attending because of COVID-19 guidelines.
“They all want to come,” Akamine said. “But because of the pandemic rules and guidelines, we can only have this limited amount because of the social-distancing and space.”
That did not stop the awards celebration from taking place among the excited participants and staff.
“In appreciation and recognition of kupuna’s contributions, positive outlook and resilience, we recognize three outstanding kupuna who, in 2020, despite the challenges and unforeseen circumstances brought on by COVID-19, remained positive and resilient, encouraging fellow clients to be well and stay happy,” said Kaulana Finn, Kaua‘i Adult Day Health director.
Michael Ellis, Kaua‘i boy through and though, was named Man of the Year in the 38th annual Awards Celebration held before an appreciative group treated to a beef stew lunch.
Born in 1946 as the youngest of three children and a member of the fifth generation of the Rice family on Kaua‘i, Ellis still has the trombone he played while a student in the Kaua‘i High School Marching Band. Ellis retired as the president and CEO of Hale Kaua‘i and an active member of the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i for nearly 40 years.
Nancy Smith was presented as the group’s Woman of the Year. Nancy Natsuko Smith was born on July 5, 1930 in Honouliuli, O‘ahu, to Shigeru and Shigeko Kushima, the second of seven children.
“There are only me and two sisters remaining,” Smith said. “I attended Waipahu High School, then beauty college. I worked at the Navy Exchange at Barber’s Point Naval Air Station as a beautician for 47 years before retiring as salon manager. I met my husband Richard while working on the base, and we were married for 59 years before his passing in 2013.”
Smith now resides on Kaua‘i with her daughter Tracy, her husband Steve, and two children, Adam and Alanna.
“Who’s that? What is this?” Fusako Harada wanted to know as she was announced the recipient of the Aloha Spirit Award.
Harada was born in 1921, the fifth child of nine to Eitaro and Nejiu Yanagida, and is the last child surviving.
Following her education at Kapa‘a Elementary School, she had to work to help support the family. She married Katsuto Harada in 1945 and had four children, working numerous jobs including at the pineapple cannery, as a store clerk and, later, at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital as a kitchen helper before retiring in 1981.
She enrolled in adult education and got her high-school diploma in the late 1980s. She enjoys doing bunka and made pictures for all the children — 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
In addition to certificates of appreciation, each of the award recipients will have their names engraved onto the perpetual plaque for each category. Finn performed a hula tribute before the trio.
“Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we reflect on the positive things in life — the special moments, people and indelible memories that bring special meaning to our lives,” Finn said.
“Kupuna in the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health program always arrive to program with an attitude of gratitude, but it is us — myself and my team — who are grateful to spend our time and days with seniors who have inevitably become family, and whom we feel honored to serve. Today, we pause and take a moment to express our appreciation for each of their many accomplishments, positive attitude and ability to persevere amid a challenging time for us all,” she said.
The remaining members of the programs were also honored with certificates of achievement during the energizer walk Celebration 2 that followed lunch.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
