The way people gather has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Life Care Center of Kona resident Sumiko Yamamoto’s family got creative to celebrate her 100th birthday on Aug. 8.
The skilled nursing and rehabilitation center instituted a no visitor policy since the start of the pandemic to protect it’s residents, but accommodated the request for a modified party to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Yamamoto, adorned in lei and surrounded by flowers and balloons, stayed inside the facility and greeted her family through a glass window.
Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were able to offer their birthday wishes through small family groups, with no more than 10 at one time at the entrance to the facility.
And in the tradition of local birthday parties, everyone left with a goodie bag, including a bento lunch.
Yamamoto was born Aug. 7, 1920, in Holualoa. She has six children, 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
“Mom didn’t get to finish high school as she had to help her father take care of her siblings,” said her daughter, Sandra Taosaka. “She was a hard worker! At 13, she went to work at the Kona Hotel.”
Later, after she married, Yamamoto was a housewife and coffee farmer. When her youngest child went to high school, she went to work at Sandy’s Drive In and then Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“Happy 100th Birthday to this cutie!! What an accomplishment! It doesn’t surprise me because this lady has always been amazing!” said her granddaughter, Kristy Yamamoto Zukeran, in a Facebook post. “… She embodies the word sacrifice and for her its not even a thought, she just gives and gives. They don’t make good people like her anymore! Love you Gramma Moto!!”
“She definitely brings joy to many,” Taosaka said.
Email Laura Ruminski at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.