NUKOLI‘I — Zenon Wong and Maura Sabado were announced as Kaua‘i’s Outstanding Male and Female Older Americans on Friday during a “Powered by Connection” recognition ceremony and luncheon at the Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“This year’s theme — Powered by Connection — recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being,” said Caroline Cadirao, the director of the Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging.
“Today, we recognize those meaningful relationships built through your community engagement and those whose lives you have enriched.”
The Kaua‘i Executive on Aging, Kealoha Takahashi, said May is Older American Month, a time to recognize contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities.
Both Wong and Sabado were elevated to outstanding status by a panel of judges put together by the Office of Elderly Affairs and the County of Kaua‘i, who sifted through the nominees that also included Carol Yotsuda, Paula Schultz, Veronical Carillio, Gordon Doo, Bonnie Lake, Kimo Keawe, Jane Goldsmith, Beverly Gotelli and Allen Hom.
“Zenon Wong understands the importance of giving back to the local community, especially by helping to preserve history for future generations,” said Lyah Kama-Drake of the Kaua‘i Museum, who nominated Wong.
Wong graduated from Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama and the University of Hawai‘i majoring in history. Following college, Wong enlisted in the U.S. Army and retired as a major following 20 years of service.
He volunteered with the Kaua‘i Historical Society helping to identify and archive many items, especially old photos of Kapa‘a town. Since 2014, Wong has volunteered with the Kaua‘i Museum as a tour guide, historian, lecturer and researcher.
Wong has also done research on King Kaumuali‘i, Kamehameha Dynasty, Pa‘ula‘ula State Historic Park and Ha‘aheo o Hawai‘i.
“Zenon enjoys sharing his knowledge of Kaua‘i’s history with young and old, residents and visitors alike,” Kama-Drake said. “Zenon also preserves, maintains, and researches artifacts, playing a key role in taking inventory of artifacts from King Kamehameha II’s luxury yacht, Ha‘aheo o Hawai‘i, after the artifacts were returned to Kaua‘i from the Smithsonian Museum.
Sabado has been a member of the Kekaha Senior Center for 21 years, and is currently the group’s vice president and treasurer.
“Maura’s attention to detail, work ethic, and caring heart have gained her the adoration of all those she assists in her volunteer endeavors,” said Anne Miyamoto of the Foster Grandparent Program. “Maura Sabado has been very busy since she retired from a medical career that included 43 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and 10 years as a secretary to a private practice physician.”
She has volunteered with a number of groups and nonprofit organizations, including the Kaua‘i RSVP for 15 years, the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and helped with tree planting on the campus of Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School.
“Maura has been instrumental in getting the members back to ‘normal’ activities following the pandemic, even dressing up as Mrs. Claus and leading the seniors in an outreach at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital long term care to entertain the residents,” Miyamoto said.
Sabado has also volunteered with the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, and the Lihu‘e Public Library with the reading program for keiki.
She has been active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waimea and Saint Theresa Church in Kekaha, serving as a church lector, an assistant for Catechism and a religious education instructor.
She started as a foster grandparent in 2015, helping at the Kekaha Elementary School in Mrs. Renti Cruz’s second grade class.
