KAPA‘A — All five children are on Social Security, said Josie Pablo, recreational therapy director at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital. But that did not stop the five sons of Kikue Miyasaki Gushiken from attending a special party celebrating the 95th
KAPA‘A — All five children are on Social Security, said Josie Pablo, recreational therapy director at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
But that did not stop the five sons of Kikue Miyasaki Gushiken from attending a special party celebrating the 95th birthday of the Kilauea resident at the hospital’s auditorium Wednesday.
Also joining the party were great-granddaughters Angela and Jasmine Gushiken, who spent two days making their way to Kaua‘i from Macedonia, Yugoslavia.
Angela picked up an ‘ukulele, and with the help of the performing seniors, led the group in singing “Happy Birthday” to the mother of five sons.
Kikue was born on July 14, 1915 in Kilauea, one of five sisters and two brothers. She is the second oldest of the family with all five of her sisters living on O‘ahu and her surviving brother residing on the Big Island.
A graduate of Kilauea School, Kikue married Toku Gushiken, another Kilauea native, both children growing up across the valley from each other in Kilauea.
That wedding took place in 1938 and Pablo noted the reception lasted three days.
“She’s a very warm and funny lady,” Pablo said, the matriarch refusing to acknowledge the celebration by keeping her eyes shut throughout the gathering. “She enjoys going out into the community and enjoys the daily activities here.”
That was brought to light recently when Kikue was one of 40 residents who enjoyed a day at the beach during the first of the Mahelona Hospital beach outings to Lydgate Beach Park.
“She’s just sleeping today,” said Sharon Kawasaki Gushiken, wife of Jack, the eldest son. “She’s been sleeping a lot the last few days.”
Kikue spent her life in Kilauea, working as a specialized cook for the well-to-do plantation managers, going shoreline fishing for papio, playing the harmonica, gardening and baking cakes and pastries from scratch. She became a resident at the Mahelona Hospital long-term-care unit in 2007.
Her five children include sons Jack, married to Sharon Kawasaki; Allen; Ralph, married to Jill Naganuma; Leslie, married to Donna Moritsugo; and Spenser. All her sons live here except Ralph, who flew in from San Jose, Calif.
She also has six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
