Dennis Fujimoto the garden island LIHU‘E — Lihu‘e Senior Center residents invited the county’s Winter Break students to join them for a Christmas celebration Tuesday at the city’s neighborhood center. “This is so the kupuna and the children can interact
Dennis Fujimoto
the garden island
LIHU‘E — Lihu‘e Senior Center residents invited the county’s Winter Break students to join them for a Christmas celebration Tuesday at the city’s neighborhood center.
“This is so the kupuna and the children can interact with each other,” Pacita Jimenez said. “We all have fun.”
Pat Viernes, site director at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center, said there are 108 registered students for the Winter Break program, and 90 attended the event.
The celebration featured sing-along Christmas carols and an appearance by a Menehune Santa who performed her hula to a rendition performed by the Lihu‘e kupuna. During ta round of bingo, seniors took a break from playing to help the younger students with the numbers. Students were then treated to a hot dog lunch.
There are 75 students registered for the Winter Break program at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and 26 registered at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center, said Mary Daubert, the county’s public information officer.
“But this senior intergenerational Christmas party is just for the Lihu‘e site,” Viernes said.
The county’s Winter Break program, which began Dec. 19, is under way through Dec. 30 and involves youngsters ages 5 to 11.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
