Outstanding Older Americans honored at luncheon
The Hawaii County Office of Aging honored 24 nominees at the 2014 Outstanding Older Americans Award luncheon May 2 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kona Ballroom. Bette Green of Waikoloa and Edward Madamba of Hilo were named the 2014 Outstanding Older Americans for Hawaii County.
In addition to the Outstanding Male and Female Older American awards, the following special awards were presented: the Community Service Award was presented to Amy Ban of Hilo, Bette Green of Waikoloa, Edward Madamba of Hilo 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 Shirly Goldzweig of Waikoloa, 94, and Prudencio (Andy) Tayamen of Naalehu, 92.
The Office of Aging presented Perennial Partnership awards to past Partnership Awardees who have contributed so much over the years and continue to do so to make this recognition and celebration event special. Awardees were Derek Kurisu, KTA Super Stores; Frank Baker, Reser’s Fine Foods; George Yoshida, The Silver Connection; Barett Otani, Sumo Sounds; and Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, Elderly Activities Division.
Abella competing in national spelling bee
State spelling bee champion Christianne Abella, an eighth-grader at Konawaena Middle School, will represent Hawaii in the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington Sunday through May 31. The event will be televised live on ESPN.
Hawaii County Council members recently recognized Abella and runner-up Hope Kudo, an eighth-grader at Kealakehe Intermediate School.