LIHUE — Misao Tamura is 99 years old and still volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at the Kilauea Senior Center. Tamura was joined by Lillian Takiguchi, who at age 90 has been volunteering with the RSVP for
LIHUE — Misao Tamura is 99 years old and still volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at the Kilauea Senior Center.
Tamura was joined by Lillian Takiguchi, who at age 90 has been volunteering with the RSVP for more than 29 years.
Both volunteers were designated as Living Treasures for their contributions Friday during the Kauai RSVP annual Recognition Day luncheon at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort.
More than 200 of the 384 Kauai RSVP volunteers enjoyed the luncheon in the newly decorated ballroom.
Serving at 37 volunteer stations around Kauai, RSVP volunteers contributed 31,392 hours toward the efficient operation of government. These volunteer hours save the county more than $500,000 in operating costs based on a standard $18/hour basis.
“The office would not be able to function without the aloha and work the kupuna do,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
RSVP volunteers are deployed to help meet local needs, strengthen communities and increase civic engagement throughout the state, said Derrick Ariyoshi, the Hawaii state director for the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“These citizens tutor and mentor children, support veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment, promote economic opportunity, and increase food security for families and people in need,” Ariyoshi said.
Kealoha Takahashi, director for the Agency on Elderly Affairs, said the department recruited 42 new volunteers to add to the Kauai force and more are welcome.
Jane Arita and Kikuo Harada were announced recipients of the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Arita has put in more than 4,254 lifetime volunteer hours, and Harada has contributed more than 4,153 lifetime volunteer hours.
Margaret McGinty and Billie Dawson, volunteers at the National Tropical Botanical Garden and at Makauwahi Cave, received PVSA pins along with appreciation gifts for being named Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold awardees.
McGinty put in 1,058 volunteer hours for the year and Dawson marked 515 volunteer hours.
