WAIMEA — There were three May Day queens and two May Day kings when the Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea presented its May Day program to residents on May 31 at the facility.
“We based our program around our resident (association) president’s visions and thoughts,” said Keala Huffman, the Kaua‘i Care Center activities coordinator.
“She wanted to honor our oldest — had to be 100 years and older — women as queens, and the youngest and newest male resident as kings.”
Reigning as the May Day queens were Hina Miyashiro, 102, Soon Ne Apilado, 100, and Nancy Toyama, who will celebrate 100 years in July.
Nolan Fujimura holds the honor of being the youngest male. Frank Simao wore the May Day king crown as the most recent resident to the Kaua‘i Care Center.
“We’d like the public to know that we are taking advantage of getting back to some normalcy for our precious kupuna at the Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea,” Huffman said. “COVID restrictions took away so much from them. This year, we decided to slowly open things up again, and our fabulous May Day program for kupuna was the first.”
With the theme of “A Lei for You,” the Kaua‘i Care Center and its May Day royalty were treated to entertainment by Hula Halau Kapaknaenaeokauai‘iki and a special guest performance by Kamaha‘o Haumea Thronas, who recently wowed the performances at the annual Kamehameha Schools’ song contest and Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami’s State of the County address.
“Thank goodness the island is finally opening up so we could do this. The staff’s job is to ramp up the Activity Department and reinstate in-person seasonal programs, daily fun activities both on and off property, and more,” Huffman said.
”I am open to volunteers coming and seeing how they can share their talents, or simply come for companionship. I want to encourage visitors to come see their loved ones and friends anytime.”
Huffman added, “Although transmissions status can change on a daily basis, our administrator keeps abreast of any updates from the Centers for Disease Control. We are prepared for any last-minute changes, and able to keep our kupuna entertained or simply provide good fun stuff either way.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
