PUHI — The Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce took care of business within the confines of COVID-19 rules and guidelines during the installation of the organization’s 2021 officers and directors at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center on Wednesday.
Judge Randal Valenciano of the Kaua‘i Fifth Circuit Court presided over the installation, prefacing the ceremony with a presentation on crabs and catapults to honor the Bobbie Bulatao Franklin and the late Judge Alfred Laureta, whose efforts contributed to Valenciano’s appointment as a judge.
He likened the pair as catapults, as compared to crabs who want to pull you down, adding that the installation of the KFCC leadership are catapults.
Randall Francisco was “re-selected” as president for a two-year term, carefully monitoring the collection of KFCC leadership against the neighboring sounds of swim practice.
Some of his future goals include lessening the frequency of in-person meetings and creating a newsletter to provide improved communication for the directors, lessons learned while slogging through the year of COVID-19.
Other faces in the KFCC leadership included Juno Apalla, Marites Yano, MJ Akuna, Cyndi Ayonon and Rose Benzel.
Angel Acorda was acknowledged as the sole member present who was part of the formation of the KFCC when it was
established in 2000.
Rose Iloreta of Mama Lucy’s Kitchen received the Member of the Year Award, presented by past KFCC President Bobby Ayonon, “for her outstanding and significant contributions to the organization that made an impact on the scholarship fundraising efforts during 2020, which was an unprecedented year, and for her unselfish commitment and dedication.”
When the annual Labor Day Golf Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iloreta, the Mama Lucy’s Kitchen ‘ohana and the KFCC leadership stepped to the plate with a scholarship fundraiser plate-lunch special that included two choices of entrees with rice and pancit on a to-go basis in observance of pandemic guidelines.
Iloreta and Nelson Secretario were also installed as new directors to the KFCC body.
“We’re having the Labor Day Golf Tournament,” announced past KFCC President Laurie Yoshida, who represents the foundation that funds scholarship awards to eligible students from the three public high schools and Island School.
“Whether we have it at the traditional county’s Wailua Golf Course or an alternative course that is certified for tournaments, we are going to play golf on Labor Day.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Jake, this article just shows how proud the filipino community has prospered
through the decades. We have and still work hard to achieve the great American dream! You too can start and organized community or better yet go join KFCC they would be happy to nurture you in
Kapahi, get ready for Kauai’s first Muslim Chamber of Commerce, coming soon to a Lihua office near you. Wha…didn’t know there were that many of us here? Hey, we’ll be glad to “Nurture” you in.