CIRA de CASTILL0TGI Staff Writer PUHI — Wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of a crowd who turned out last night to honor 45 Kauaians, all nominees for Gov. Ben Cayetano’s annual Kilohana volunteer service awards. Five were named
CIRA de CASTILL0TGI Staff Writer
PUHI — Wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of a crowd who turned out last
night to honor 45 Kauaians, all nominees for Gov. Ben Cayetano’s annual
Kilohana volunteer service awards.
Five were named to represent the island
at a statewide ceremony in April.
“The level and commitment of Kaua’i’s
volunteers is really extraordinary,” said Lt. Governor Mazie K. Hirono who
presented the awards. “Their spirit is so uplifting and the results of their
service is a community that is healthy and strong.”
Kaua’i’s top five
volunteers are: McKlyn Cole Valenciano (Youth), Scott Robeson (Adult), Shigeko
Wada (Senior), Rosa’s Supply (Business) and Rotary Club of Poipu (Project).
They will represent the island at a ceremony at Washington Place on Friday,
April 14. The program will be hosted by Gov. Ben Cayetano and Honorary Kilohana
Awards Chair First Lady Vicky Cayetano.
McKlyn Cole Valenciano, 17, said he
was very surprised that he was selected as the Kaua’i youth representative.
“Even if it may be hard work, the end result is really gratifying,” said
Valenciano, who has done volunteer Boy Scout work as well as work at Sacred
Heart Church and Kalaheo School.
Scott Robesen, 56, a Wainiha resident,
said the Kaua’i Teen Force project that he works with makes a difference
because it uses adults mentors who work along with the teens and builds a trust
that allows them to provide a positive influence.
Shigeko Wada, 83, was
speechless at the honor she received in the senior category. Jeanne Stanwood,
her nominator, said that Wilcox Elementary teachers, where Wada volunteers,
said that the children love her and respond to her wonderful spirit.
Frank
Hay, of the Koke’e Leaseholders Association, said that the Koke’e Pavilion has
a roof because of the contribution of Jim Rosa of Rosa’s Supply, who was named
Kaua’i business volunteer nominee.
The Po’ipu Rotary Club was recognized
for “It’s a Guy Thing” project which features men who read to K-3 students at
the Koloa School. Jim McEvoy, president, said the feedback from the kids makes
the project so rewarding that the club is expanding the project to do one on
one reading with students who would benefit from more individual
attention.
“It’s wonderful, when the kids see you outside the school. They
come up and give you a hug and are so responsive.”
Hirono said that Kaua’i
has more nominees per capita and that the ceremony itself is unique in Kaua’i
style noting that kalo plants, the symbol of the Kilohana Award, were given to
each volunteer as part of the award.
“As we show our appreciation to those
who “live aloha”, we take the first steps to building safe and thriving
communities,” said Hirono.
The other Kaua’i Outstanding Kilohana
Volunteers are:
YOUTH: Tara Paskal, Andrew Pierce, Jessica Rogers, LaCona
Woltmon, Kristi Yasuda.
ADULT: Janice Bond, Bernie Brown, Daria Bruce,
Linda Faye-Collins,Linda Goding, Johanna Ventura Gornez, Michael
Goto,
Theresa Mahuiki, Lisa Mecca,J. Michael Scovel, Randy Tomlinson,
Byrene “Kala” Troche, Carol Yotsuda.
SENIOR: Emestina Atanacio, Josephine
Bandman, Jose Bulatao Jr., Robert Burnz, Marie Filson, Patricia Hering,
Theodore Inouye, Dorothy Ornellas, Margaret Oshita, Edee Seymour, Annie Smythe,
Lillian Takiguchi.
PROJECT: Beeper Team (Kauai Hospice Emergency
Bereavement Support Service), East Kauai Lions Club, Endeavor Project, Friends
of the North Shore library, Ho’ike Teen TV, Koloa Park Pavilion, Mini-indy
Grand Prix Race (YWCA of Kauai), Peer Education Program, Project
Graduation.
