Aloha’s ambassador

LIHUE — Congratulations, a friend recently said to Chucky Boy Chock.

“Huh? For what?” came Chock’s response.

The award you’re going to receive, the friend answered.

A surprised Chock, upon being told he was in line for the Ambassador of Aloha Award as part of the 39th annual Waimea Town Celebration, called his wife.

“Hon, did you know about this?” he asked.

Turns out, she did, along with others. But the plan was not to tell him, for fear he wouldn’t show up for the ceremony in his honor Wednesday night at the Historic Waimea Theater.

Chock, while preferring to avoid the spotlight, did agree to step into it one more time.

He is a supporter of Waimea Town Celebration, after all.

“It’s such a wonderful community event, this is where volunteerism comes in,” he said.

And with his engaging smile and contagious joy, he accepted the award presented by Bank of Hawaii to honor someone from the community who shares aloha across the island, state or world — an exceptional person with exceptional values.

It was, he admitted, a good night.

“Otherwise, I would have been at the museum working,” he said.

In the inaugural year, 2014, the award went to Puna Dawson. Last year, to Nalani Brun. This year, Chock joined that exclusive list.

“Chucky Boy Chock’s name kept rising to the top of the list as we looked for someone who reflected excellence, integrity, innovation, commitment and teamwork,” said Thomas Nizo, WTC festival chair. “From working with the Polynesian Voyaging Society on the Hokule’a’s Malama Honua tour, to his support of the Kauai Museum by featuring artifacts and treasures to showcasing historical groups like the Royal Hawaiian Band for monumental concerts here on Kauai, Chucky Boy shares aloha every day around the world.”

Chock is an accomplished musician, composer and songwriter. He is a minister, father and owner of The Pineapple Store. He is also a volunteer extraordinaire at the Kauai Museum, where his titles include director of events and director of exhibits.

He carries out his duties, always, with a happy heart and warm welcome.

“I kind of like that,” he said. “Being a volunteer, I tell you, it’s really a lot of fun.”

Volunteering is a privilege for Chock.

“To be part of the museum and help get the story out to the community, that’s an opportunity to try and inspire this new generation,” he said.

It’s not only the museum where he has had an impact with his time and talents.

He, along with Dickie Chang and Paul Horner, brought the Royal Hawaiian Band to Kauai last year for a sold-out performance,

He wrote “Na Ho’okele Opoipio” (The Young Navigators) and recorded it with Jack Johnson and Paula Fuga, with online sales to benefit the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hokulea’s Worldwide Voyage.

He volunteers because he loves it and it needs to done, he said. You make time for it. You uplift and inspire by what you do for others, not yourself.

“We give our all to the Lord,” he said.

Chock recites a story about Kauai Bible Church when, years back, it started “Church on the Beach.” Initially, it involved fewer than 50 people. These days, hundreds turn out.

“It’s a great time to fellowship but to see the smiling faces, it was amazing to watch from afar,” he said.

And that, not proclamations or plaques, is what motivates Chock.

“Do we do that kind of work because we want to be rewarded for that? I think we do it because we’re called to do it,” he said.

Yet, being recognized isn’t easy for him. While he’s comfortable pitching in, he’s not wild about being on the receiving end of awards and applause.

“How do you talk about what you do?” he said. “It’s the hardest thing to do, is to talk about yourself. It sounds almost like you’re boasting.”

But he accepts the accolades and carries on.

“The rewards are seeing the faces on the other side,” he said. “That is the reward. Now, to receive a reward, it’s the hardest thing. I don’t believe anyone is in it for that.”

He encourages others to find a place where they want to help — and do it.

Because in the end, in the world of Chucky Boy Chock, it’s all about building bridges.

‘We all help each other,” he said.