LIHU‘E — The Scouting experience started with one light in 1928. On Saturday, that light had extended to more than 100 as Boy Scouts of America leaders, scouts and supporters turned out for the Shining Light Ceremony at Kukui Grove
LIHU‘E — The Scouting experience started with one light in 1928.
On Saturday, that light had extended to more than 100 as Boy Scouts of America leaders, scouts and supporters turned out for the Shining Light Ceremony at Kukui Grove Center.
The ceremony — described by Kimberly Paglinawan, Kaua‘i District coordinator, as a once-in-a-lifetime event — marked the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
Kaua‘i’s event, chaired by Leroy Sakaguchi, coincided with similar ceremonies being held in communities throughout the country and at the Boy Scouts National Jamboree in Virginia.
Paglinawan, in remarks to the group, said a lot of things have happened to the Boy Scouts program over the past century.
In 1912, BSA celebrated its first Eagle Scout, a number that surpassed the 2 million mark in 2009.
The Cub Scout program was formed in 1930 with 5,000 joining. There are now more than 100 million Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Ulu Perreira, the Kaua‘i District commissioner, was excited about the Shining Light Ceremony, quoting from a well-known cosmetologist, Mary Kay Ashe, about a bumblebee.
“Aerodynamically, a bumblebee should not be able to fly,” Perreira said. “But the bumblee doesn’t know that so it flies.”
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. added his congratulations to Kaua‘i District leaders, parents and scouts.
“It is our responsibility to turn darkness into light,” Carvalho said. “It does not matter who we are. It is good to see the light shining on Kaua‘i and elsewhere.”
Ron Kouchi said he remembers a Scouting experience while he served on the Kaua‘i County Council and a Scout visited him during a Scouts in Government program.
One of the secretaries was having problems with a computer and the next thing he knew, the Scout was at the center of attention, teaching not only the secretary, but several of the other office staff as well.
“That Scout showed her how to use the computer better than she knew how,” Kouchi said. “She was learning from the youth.”
He said there is nothing stronger than being an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouting program. Short of that, there is nothing stronger than being a Boy Scout.
“The Scouting program creates avenues for young people,” Kouchi said, referring to his experience as a father. Quoting from Mother Theresa, Kouchi said, “There is no faster way to relieve one’s burden than by helping someone carry theirs.”
Following the recitation of the Scout’s Oath and Scout’s Law, the candles were lit, first one, then another until the food court area glimmered with the shimmering light of the Scouting experience.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” Paglinawan said. “And it’s not over yet.”
Visit www.scouting.org for more information on the Boy Scouts of America.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
