Shizuko “Mary” Teshima has spent a lifetime giving back to the community.
Her restaurant has a strong, loyal following among those who have made her teishoku trays of miso soups, sashimi, sukiyaki and other delights an integral part of their lives. Owned and operated by Teshima and her family, the Honalo establishment originally opened as a general merchandise store in 1929, then became a popular saimin stand, and later started frying hamburgers when the area was filled with American soldiers during World War II. The restaurant eventually expanded around 1940 to what it is today.
For decades, Teshima’s Restaurant has been the place for the community and groups to regularly hold meetings, fundraisers, parties, celebrations and special events. People in Kona call Teshima a hero and legend, speaking volumes about her endless community service, entrepreneurial spirit and big heart. She generously contributes every year, usually around Christmas, to various organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Lions Clubs, American Legion Posts and Hawaiian Civic Clubs. But one group — the Rotary Club of Kona Mauka — is especially dear to her.
The humanitarian service club has been awarding scholarships to local high school students since the 1970s. To date, the awarded total is more than $250,000, generated through fundraisers like the Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting Event and Fall Brewfest. Its board members have decided to start offering scholarships next year to adults wanting to pursue higher education, said Richard Harrison, the club’s new generations co-chairman, and Rotarian Kent Nakamaru.
The club unanimously made Teshima an honorary Rotarian and set up a perpetual scholarship in her name in honor of her 100th birthday in 2007. That year, they promised to award one scholarship for each $1,000 it received for the Teshima scholarship program, Harrison said.
Over a few weeks, the club and restaurant collected more than $34,000 in donations from people in Hawaii and on the mainland. Twelve Teshima scholarships, each totaling $1,000, were awarded in 2007 because of the “amazing” outpouring of support. The program has grown to three to five scholarships annually, Harrison said.
The club and her family are hoping for the same generosity on June 24, when Teshima celebrates her 105th birthday at the restaurant.
Besides offering cake to patrons, Teshima will be collecting donations for the scholarship program. In lieu of gifts, she is asking for contributions that will go toward helping graduating Konawaena High School seniors in need of financial assistance pursue their dreams of higher education — whether it’s a vocational school, community college or four-year university.
Education has always been important to Teshima. It’s something she has stressed to all five of her children, 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
“The older I get the more important I think education is,” Teshima said. “With education, kids can think. If you don’t have an education, you can’t think. It’s so important to educate yourself.”
Teshima never finished high school, saying she had to quit to go to work. Still she values learning. She encouraged people to “read and write anything.” Even now, Teshima said she continues to keep a pad and pen by her bedside to write down ideas, as well as regularly reads the newspaper. She’s also proud to be one of three women who took and completed the first Dale Carnegie public speaking course, offered in 1955 in Kona. Joining them were roughly 20 men, who were mostly bankers and other business professionals.
As a young girl, Teshima had wanted to be a nurse and recalled how she let someone discourage her from going after that dream.
However, Teshima said she didn’t let their words stop her from later volunteering at the hospital while raising her children and again in her 60s.
Teshima grinned when Harrison revealed Monday that two of the club’s 2012 scholarship recipients are studying nursing. Another fact about the scholarships that made Teshima glad was the club doubled the amount given.
While Teshima doesn’t want any hoopla in honor, she would like one thing in return from the scholarship recipients: “No matter what you choose to do, try your best and do it well.”
To contribute to the Teshima scholarship program, deliver checks to Teshima’s Restaurant or mail them to 79-7251 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, HI 96750. Checks should be made payable to the Rotary District 5000 Foundation and earmarked for “Mrs. Shizuko Teshima Scholarship Award.”
For more information, call Harrison at 328-2513 or Trudy Gramlich, Teshima’s grandchild and a Rotarian, at 328-9276.
