KAPAA and LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said on Friday that the couples’ anniversaries combined represents the celebration of more than 480 years of love.
Carvalho was joined by Nalani Brun of the county’s Office of Economic Development in rendering the Hawaiian Wedding Song during the renewal of vows for nine couples at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on Valentine’s Day.
“This is the third year we have done this for Valentine’s Day,” said Josie Pablo, the hospital’s recreation director. “It brings the families together and gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate the season of love.”
Leading the list of celebrants, Chieko and Arata Oda have been married for 69 years, followed by Clarence and Hanako Ishida at 68 years. Toshihiro, a Veteran of the 442nd RCT, came home from Germany with a bride, Maria, 66 years ago.
Stanilus and Cidela Imaoka have been married for 58 years, Sadamu and Reiko Saiki celebrated their 51st anniversary, and Ove and Lang Jensen celebrated their golden anniversary at 50 years.
The babies of the group were Chris and Josephine Asuncion who celebrated 48 years of marriage and Sinforoso and Consolacion Antonio who were celebrating 38 years of marriage.
Carvalho, in addition to rendering Ke Kali Nei Au, presented each family with a mayoral certificate celebrating their love.
The festivities would not be complete without the cutting of the wedding cake, presented by the Kauai Marriott Resort and Spa and Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors following the release of pigeons provided by Ted and Queenie Daligdig. The birds soared upwards and circled the hospital before disappearing into the blustery winds.
Pablo said in addition to the efforts of Sharla Hasegawa and Elaine Morita, who was celebrating her final major event before retiring in a few months, the celebration got help from Nancie Pigao, Juvie Bercasio, Riza Pena and the Activities ladies, and the “Maintenance Guys” Joe Arruda, Alfonso Martin and Tony Bonilla for creating the special wedding arch.
Jamie Pablo, Josie’s husband, provided the artwork with Jaymie and Kenneth Yasutake providing the flowers. Brenda Viado and Holly Walker of Cost U Less created the table centerpieces.
The Kapaa High School Jr. ROTC provided the saber arch under which the couples entered the auditorium, and Aunty Beverly Muraoka coordinated the live entertainment.
In the excitement, Carvalho had slipped away to join nearly 250 kupuna from the Kauai senior centers who were celebrating the day of love with a Mardi Gras theme at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Each of the senior centers were challenged to dress and participate, the decision being finalized during a parade which preceded lunch put together by the crew from the Department of Parks and Recreation and eight volunteers from the Kapaa High School Interact Club.
The Hanapepe Senior Center, garbed in red-and-white with matching headdresses, was voted tops for the parade.
“Kiku Yamamoto is 97 years old,” said Irenia Edrada, raising her voice above the din of dance music. “I care for her, and she’s here, today having fun.”
Hulsman, during the parade review, noted a member who was 93 years old, stutting to the music.
“This is the best one, yet,” said Melanie Okamoto, the county’s senior coordinator from the Department of Parks and Recreation. “Marta Hulsman, the site leader from the Kapaa Neighborhood Center, did a great job putting everything together.”
