No one needed to say how much the kupuna loved dancing and eating on Valentine’s Day.
More than 230 kupuna, representing the senior centers from Kilauea to Kekaha, celebrated the day of love by spending their Wednesday morning in the company of each other, dancing with the day’s heroes, firefighters from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, including Fire Chief Michael Gibson, and enjoying the lunch served by the culinary department at Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“Skip Cacayon and the others are at the KBR,” said Rhoda Libre, who presented the music for the kupuna population at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (SMMH) Valentine’s Day festivities that was reigned by King Daniel Pimental and Queen Suzzane Hendtricks. “I had to solo. Now, that everyone’s gone to lunch, I’m going to try and make the KBR event. Oh, I hope they haven’t left, yet.”
Steve Kline, of the SMMH, said the hospital’s Valentine’s Day festivities could not have happened without Libre’s service and the Kapa‘a Lions Club members, arrived with long-stemmed roses for all of the kupuna.
Joining the fun at Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort was Kaua‘i County Council member Ross Kagawa.
Melanie Okamoto of the Department of Parks and Recreation said Councilwoman Felicia Cowden was tied up with other matters but instead sent a representative.
“Now, go dance and eat,” Okamoto told the crowd.
No one knew how long ago the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation started hosting the annual event that kupuna anticipate through the year. Previous Valentine’s Day luncheons were held at Kekaha Neighborhood Center, Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, and other sites before settling at Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
