By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Mabel Tolentino poured her heart into the community, especially for the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, where she was an official for 40 years.
Aunty Mabel and the warm smile that marked her presence will be missed by the paddling community, which will honor her with the “Aunty Mabel Hands Across Hilo Bay Sands” on Saturday at the Kailana Regatta.
Aunty Mabel died June 7. She was 73.
Her celebration of life will be held today in Waimea. She is survived by daughters, Nani Lehano, Theresa Berdon and Tammy (Jerome) Kaaekuahiwi, all of Waimea; sons, Donald (Toni) Tolentino Jr. of Waimea, Chad Tolentino of Papaaloa.
Aunty Mabel’s husband, Donald Tolentino Sr., died Dec. 5, 2005. He was 73.
She was a retired concierge for the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts. That’s what she did on the working clock.
Aunty Mabel filled her spare time serving the community. She was an Aloha Week coordinator and a Kamehameha Day lei draper, member of Imiola Congregational Church, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimea; Alu Like; Pu‘ukohola Heiau; Ka‘ahumanu Chapter 2; Hale O Na Ali’i O Hawaii Halau O Keli‘iahonui; and the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association.
Aunty Mabel was also a paddler for the Kawaihae Canoe Club and an official for the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association — the governing body for state paddling — and the International Va‘a Federation, which oversees the World Sprints.
“She was wonderful and had a heart of gold,” said Aunty Maile Mauhili, the Kailana coach and a longtime friend. “We went to the first World Sprints as officials in 1984 at Long Beach Marina Stadium.
“She was a very loving person and she especially loved the children. I asked each club to bring a lei and flowers to spread in the water for her. If anyone also wants to bring flowers for her, they’re welcome.”
Aunty Mabel’s ceremony on Saturday will start at 7:30 a.m. with the special races at 8 a.m. and the official races at 8:30 a.m. The special races are for keiki too young to participate in the regular events.
“She will be missed by quite a bit of people,” Kawaihae coach Manny Veincent said. “She was one of the people who started the Kawaihae Canoe Club in 1972. She was an outstanding paddler.
“She was very aggressive as a paddler. She helped coach some of the crews. She was very strict and was a disciplinarian. But she always had that warm smile.”
Veincent, also a founder of the club, knew Aunty Mabel for over 45 years. He remembered her most for the way she shared her heart.
“She was a lot of fun to be around. She made everyone feel good and happy and made them laugh. She was a nice person to be around,” he said. “She was very well-liked. She had an outgoing personality and organized all the potlucks after the races. She gave a lot. Besides paddling, she gave a lot to the community and served the community. She’ll be missed.”
Aunty Mabel was from Waimea, and she always knew how to touch her paddling sister’s heart.
“We can’t forget her. She did a lot for everybody. She would come from Waimea and surprise me with an akulikuli lei,” said an emotional Aunty Maile, a precious memory hitting her heart.
