LIHU‘E — For the past few years, the Saturday closest to Veterans Day on the 11th day of the 11th month was reserved for the Veterans Day Parade.
That changed on Saturday when the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, with the support of community sponsors like the County of Kaua‘i, the Rice Street Business Association and more hosted the Kaua‘i Veterans Celebration on the lawn of the Historic County Building.
Event emcee Ron Wiley said there are about 5,500 veterans who live on Kaua‘i, and announced free lunches for the first 200 veterans taking in the nearly daylong event that honored and thanked the military service people for their contributions that make a difference in the lives of Americans.
Ryden Domingsel was among the sea of people who singled out honors and mahalo to Russell Maeda, the former Kaua‘i Veterans Council treasurer and Veterans Day Parade organizer since 2016. Maeda passed earlier this year.
“I wondered what these girls were doing,” said Ryden following the appearance and performance of Aileia Cassler, Avery and Maya Domingsel — grand nieces of Russell — in a special combination vocal/dance with signing presentation remembering Russell in a uniform patriotic outfits. “Now I know.”
Russell was an extremely caring person who made a difference in the community, the Kaua‘i County Council said in a Certificate of Commendation presented to Gail Domingsel, Russell’s sister, by Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
He was joined by council members Bernard Carvalho Jr., who rendered both the national and state anthems, and Dr. Addison Bulosan, who ran the sound system on the county’s mobile stage set up to effectively block the entry to the County Building.
Russell left a lasting impression wherever he went, said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who announced Nov. 4 as Russell Maeda Day to extend the honor of the fallen veteran.
“Anyone fortunate enough to have known Russell had the utmost admiration and respect for him because he truly lived a life of service before self, and is someone all of Kaua‘i salutes and honors,” Kawakami said.
Veterans Day activities continue on Wednesday when the Prevent Suicide Kaua‘i Task Force hosts a statewide presentation, the Kaua‘i Veterans Support Resources Event, on veteran resources from noon to 6 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
Rapozo suggested everyone can have a green light lit for Operation Green Light for Veterans from Nov. 6 through Nov. 12 to show veterans, and everyone else, that they are seen, appreciated and supported.
The weeklong celebration of all veterans ends on Saturday when the Kaua‘i Veterans Council hosts the annual Veterans Day service and ceremony at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery, starting at the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month.
