Kaua`i Honors Seniors for Community Service
Lt. Governor Aiona helped honor 16 senior citizens during the 42nd annual Older American Awards Recognition Ceremony on Kaua`i last Thursday for what he described as "redefining the experience of aging" through their volunteer service to the community.
Lt. Governor Aiona and Kaua`i Mayor Bryan Baptiste (right) honor Kaua`i's Outstanding Older Americans, Naoko Ho and Richard Kashiwabara (middle).
The Lt. Governor expressed his appreciation for the seniors, whose ages range from 66 to 80, at the event, which was organized by the County of Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs.
“They are leading active lives, serving in their communities, and taking responsibility for others by performing volunteer community service,” Lt. Governor Aiona told an estimated 100 people who attended the event at the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort Hotel. “They are mentoring children, caring for citizens with disabilities and protecting the environment by participating in beach clean-up projects.”
Naoko Ho, of Waimea, and Richard "Soupbone" Kashiwabara, of Lihu`e, were named Kaua`i's Outstanding Male and Female Older Americans.
The Lt. Governor went on to acknowledge that the seniors' efforts come at a time when more than 13,000 people on Kaua‘i are age 60 or older, representing 20 percent of the county’s population. “Their good work is changing the lives of many individuals and contributing to the strength of our state,” Lt. Governor Aiona said.
Ho and Kashiwabara will be honored on May 22 at a statewide recognition ceremony, which will be held at Washington Place.
