Mayor Derek Kawakami announced Monday as Shizue Sakihama Day in celebration of the resident at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital’s 100th birthday.
“Just 1 percent of people being born make it to 100 years old,” said Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, Kaua‘i Region CEO Lance Segawa, who brought the HHSC Kaua‘i Region administrative team to Kapa‘a for the occasion. “This is an honor and privilege for us to have her with us.”
Steve Klein of Mahelona Hospital said Monday is Sakihama’s actual birth date, and the dignitaries will honor her with proclamations and certificates. Also joining the dignitaries, two of Sakihama’s three sons, David and Kenneth, were on hand with their families to thank well-wishers, family and the Mahelona Hospital population.
Shizue Sakihama was born on Oct. 3, 1922, in a plantation camp in Kealia to her mother Mito, and father Matsu who were both from Okinawa, Japan. She was the second eldest sibling in a family of three brothers and two sisters.
“The community of Kealia wishes you a happy birthday,” said County Councilmember Bernard Carvalho Jr. who, with the help of Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro and Councilmember Billy DeCosta, provided a rendering of “You Are My Sunshine” at the request of the birthday girl. “I was born in Kealia, and we’re all connected,” said Carvalho.
The Kaua‘i County Council, in a rare opportunity, joined other dignitaries in presenting Sakihama with a birthday certificate, commending her being content to live a simple, quiet life.
Other well-wishers bestowed her the gift of Japanese dance, hula by the Merrie Monarch award-winning Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, and a ‘ukulele concert by one of the Mahelona Hospital staff.
Following the sixth grade, Shizue dropped out of school to help her family, demonstrating her selfless determination to contribute, states a Hawai‘i State Legislature Centennial Birthday Celebration certificate presented by state Rep. Nadine Nakamura on behalf of not only the Legislature, but the Kaua‘i legislative team.
“A distinguished employee of Mahelona Hospital for more than 25 years, Shizue Sakihama was previously employed at numerous jobs on the island, including Burger King and Kapa‘a Bakery, eventually earning the housekeeping manager position at Mahelona Hospital, wherein she fostered deep relationships with various employees and guests until her retirement as the hospital’s laundry manager,” the legislative commendation states.
Nakamura wanted answers to two questions — what is the secret to long life? And where is a special fishing spot? To which Sakihama smiled and said, “Thank you, everyone, for coming to celebrate my birthday.”
Shizue, with her late husband Sam, raised three sons — Thomas who lives in Las Vegas, Kenneth who lives on O‘ahu, and David who lives on Kaua‘i. She also has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Shizue is a resident of SMMH, and according to the mayor’s proclamation of Oct. 3 as Shizue Sakihama Day, “Reflecting back on her 100 years of life, Shizue is celebrated for her dedication to her family and the people of Kaua‘i. Shizue truly enjoyed working hard, and continues to enjoy living a simple, quiet life together with her ‘ohana.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
