This was the first time na kupuna had this kind of function in a fancy venue, said Michael Dahilig, county managing director, representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, on Tuesday at the Valentine’s Day lunch at Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
This was the first time na kupuna had this kind of function in a fancy venue, said Michael Dahilig, county managing director, representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, on Tuesday at the Valentine’s Day lunch at Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
This is also the first time na kupuna have had an opportunity to get together since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Russell Wellington of the county Department of Parks and Recreation.
He co-presented the luncheon with Na Kupuna Council, whose leadership includes representation from all of the Kaua‘i senior centers, as well as representatives from the parks and recreation department.
More than 200 kupuna from the different senior centers around the island took advantage of the hospitality to enjoy Valentine’s Day with dancing to live entertainment by Limited Edition, led by Linda Tani. There was also a photo booth equipped with an abundance of accessories, coffee and other healthy beverages being served before lunch.
“It just warms my heart to see this,” said Melanie Okamoto of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “The kupuna have been waiting for so long for something like this. They’re happy to be able to meet and talk again. I even told them that if they were uneasy or uncomfortable with the gathering, they were welcome to wear face masks.”
Wellington said the heroes of the day were the Kaua‘i Fire Department “volunteers,” who turned out as dance partners for the crowd eager to break out of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Kupuna attending the luncheon received goodie bags prepared by Na Kupuna Council and a light emitting diode light bulb bearing a “You Brighten My Day” message from the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative.
Transportation to and from the luncheon was provided primarily by school buses to get around the parking at Kaua‘i Beach Resort, which had a team of greeters available to validate parking for those who used the garage parking.
The team said, “This might not be as big as the Blaisdell Center on O‘ahu, but look at everyone. They’re having so much fun just being able to do this.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
