A crowd of more than 400 family members and well-wishers were on hand May 2 in Waikoloa as the county Office of Aging honored 24 nominees at its annual Outstanding Older Americans Award Luncheon in the Hilton Waikoloa Village Kona Ballroom.
A crowd of more than 400 family members and well-wishers were on hand May 2 in Waikoloa as the county Office of Aging honored 24 nominees at its annual Outstanding Older Americans Award Luncheon in the Hilton Waikoloa Village Kona Ballroom.
The crowd cheered as Bette Green of Waikoloa and Edward Madamba of Hilo were named the 2014 Outstanding Older Americans for Hawaii County. Unfortunately, Bette Green had a family emergency and could not attend the luncheon. She was represented by her husband, Bob.
In addition to the Outstanding Male and Female Older American awards, several special awards were presented.
The Community Service Award was presented to Amy Ban of Hilo, Bette Green, Madamba and Akira Yamamoto of Volcano.
The Senior Activities Award was presented to Mary Peralta of Pahala, George Lehi Kaikana of Hilo and Prudencio (Andy) Tayamen of Naahelu.
The Personal Achievement Award was presented to Shirly Goldzweig of Waikoloa, Charlotte Melrose of Kealakekua and Noboru (Don) Seki of Holualoa.
The Golden Years Award was presented to Goldzweig, 94, and Tayamen, 92.
The Office of Aging presented Perennial Partnership awards to past Partnership Awardees who contributed so much during the years and continue to do so to make this recognition and celebration event extra special.
Awardees were Derek Kurisu, KTA Super Stores; Frank Baker, Reser’s Fine Foods; George Yoshida, The Silver Connection, Barett Otani, Sumo Sounds, and the Department of Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division.
This was the Office of Aging’s 46th celebration of Hawaii County’s Outstanding Older Americans Awards.
The national theme, “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow,” emphasized the need for older adults to take control of their safety and well being.