Kupuna’s Congregate

Annual Senior Fair brings resources within reach.

By Brandon Roberts

Lines stretched at the Molokai General Hospital booth, which offered light massages to kupuna during the sixth annual Senior Fair at Home Pumehana Saturday April 19. Over 20 booths gave kupuna information from assisted living to identity theft and nutrition to exercise.

“Kupuna are our island’s treasures that we love and respect,” said Councilman Danny Mateo. “They need to take advantage of the services here.”

The morning opened with a pule from Aunty Ruth Domingo, and the fair was highlighted with music and hula lead by Kauwila Reyes.

John Tomoso, from the Office of Aging, was the master of ceremonies and stand-up comedian. Being more serious, Tomoso said the “whole idea is to keep kupuna healthy, and active.”

Jersula Manaba, housing manager from Hale Mahaolu, helped organize the event for the past three years. She said the fair’s goal is to educate seniors on a variety of resources available to them.

Manaba pointed out the kupuna id station, noting that there is no state id facility on Molokai and this is a way to give the seniors a valid id on-island.

A visit from Charmaine Tavares emphasized that kupuna “are not alone, and there are resources they can turn to. This event brings information to seniors and their families.”