LIHU‘E — Three Kaua‘i centenarians were recently honored with a visit by Japanese consul Kaoru Morisawa. Accompanied by Kikuo Harada and Dimples Kano of the United Japanese Society of Kaua‘i, Morisawa paid visits to Mitsue Yokomoto and Satome Nakasone, both
LIHU‘E — Three Kaua‘i centenarians were recently honored with a visit by Japanese consul Kaoru Morisawa.
Accompanied by Kikuo Harada and Dimples Kano of the United Japanese Society of Kaua‘i, Morisawa paid visits to Mitsue Yokomoto and Satome Nakasone, both residents of the Hale Kupuna Heritage Home in ‘Oma‘o.
Both ladies celebrated their 100th birthday this year, Yokomoto turning a century old in October and Nakasone celebrating hers in August.
Surrounded by family members and residents of Hale Kupuna Heritage Home, Nakasone said she was “very old,” not knowing how old she was, but still having the spirit to lead the residents and family in rounds of Japanese folk songs, a smile constantly on her face and her good nature overflowing to a young child frolicking among the residents.
Yokomoto was treated to visits by her relatives from the Mainland, her great-granddaughter thrilling the residents with a special musical composition she played on a portable keyboard, followed by her 5-year-old brother showing his skill on the keyboard.
Morisawa, from the Japanese Consulate of Hawai‘i, bestowed greetings from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The greetings were done in formal caligraphy and presented in a special case along with a gift from the prime minister and commemorative sake cup. Yokomoto promptly mimicked the drinking of celebratory sake, or Japanese rice wine.
The centenarian tribute to the third person, Kimie Yanagawa, was presented posthumously to Ayame Taketa, Yanagawa’s sister who was accompanied by her son Rodney.
Jocelyn Barriga, the social worker at the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital where Yanagawa resided, said the elder who would have celebrated her 102nd birthday on Nov. 29, passed away Monday, but the hospital and Yanagawa’s family celebrated her long life during the ceremony.
Refreshments and birthday cake at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home were provided for the consul and his party by family relatives and the care centers.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
