“Some people came that weren’t invited,” said entertainer Larry Rivera, laughing, talking about his and wife Gloria’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Hanamaulu Cafe. It was a “great show, a great renewal of vows. I made everybody cry because I
“Some people came that weren’t invited,” said entertainer Larry Rivera, laughing, talking about his and wife Gloria’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Hanamaulu Cafe.
It was a “great show, a great renewal of vows. I made everybody cry because I cried,” he said. Rivera, 74, and wife Gloria, 69, were married 50 years ago this month at a simple service at the old St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a, which used to be along Kaumuali‘i Highway near Kealia.
The Rev. Jim Orsini of St. Catherine conducted the renewal ceremony at the restaurant, where around 100 family and friends gathered. Cousins from Pakala and Kalaheo, and other family members from as far away as Massachusetts, were all in the house, he said.
It was tough for the Riveras to come up with the select guest list after all of the family members were included. “I needed a stadium if I wanted to invite everybody, but I don’t think I can afford that,” he said.
The Riveras have six children, 17 grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Anna Knapp Thuente is Rivera’s only sister, living in Lihu‘e. Brother Ernie Menehune lives in Tucson, Ariz.
The children are Larry Jr. (Michelle) Rivera of Lowell, Mass.; Leilani Rivera Bond of Kapa‘a; Derek Lee (Ada) Rivera of Ashland, Ore.; Ilima Rivera of Kapa‘a; Dwayne Rivera of Tacoma, Wash.; and Lurline (Michael) Fernandez of Kapa‘a.
Larry Rivera Sr. said he was happy to be surrounded by so much of his family at such a joyous gathering. “When families get together, it’s usually a funeral. I wanted to bring everybody together for a happy occasion.”
Paul C. Curtis, associate editor, may be reached at 2453681 (ext. 224) or mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
