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Dear Lanakila Members, Friends and Family:
The month of April was Volunteer and Staff Appreciation month I wanted to pay tribute to all of our volunteers who help in their own special way There were 691 volunteers noted in our records, who helped LMPSC this past year, but we know there are hundreds more who volunteered their time to support our senior center and we do not have on our volunteer list
The Lanakila Senior Center continues to offer such a diverse array of experiences for our seniors and it is in large part due to the volunteers who share their positive energy, their life experiences, passion for and expertise in so many aspects of life, and doing volunteer work in such a caring and loving way
Mahalo to our front desk volunteers, Jeanne Sugihara, Diane Kawakami, Rose Yanagawa, and Mary Sueda; our receptionists; kitchen assistants; set up and cleanup crews; food service; officers and assistants of LMPSC’s 8 cultural clubs; instructors and assistants of over 60 weekly classes; hundreds of presenters of educational, health promotion, and recreational workshops; excursion monitors; gardeners; sound system technicians Richard Tada, Jimmy Toma and Dorene Toma; community and center entertainers; parking attendants; participants in many center beautification projects; and much more! You all are precious to us.
I also would like to publicly acknowledge the hard work and commitment of Lanakila’s staff, Program Specialist Riva Torno, Membership Specialist Iris Hiramoto, Program Support Assistant Cookie Irvine, and Custodian Lodi Tapawan. They are exceptional employees and we are so lucky to have them in our lives. I wanted to let you know that Lodi will be retiring from Lanakila at the end of May There are no words to say how much we appreciate and care for him Thank you so much, Lodi, for your years of service!
I would like to thank Catholic Charities Hawaii and its employees for supporting LMPSC and hundreds of community, business and government partners who share generously of their resources, time and know-how with Lanakila Senior Center.
Wishing you all a beautiful Spring and Lei Day in Hawaii, honoring all those who have gone before us leaving a legacy of peace and prosperity during Memorial Day, and wishing all the Moms, Aunties, Grandmother’s, Great (and Great Great) Grandmother’s and “moms” to someone special a very Happy Mother’s Day! May love fill your hearts always!
With much aloha, Susie Chun Oakland Program Director

Glenn Alfonso
Stephanie Alfonso
Cynthia “Cindy” Casaquit
Insook “Angela” Chung
Gary Kobashigawa
Janice Kobashigawa
Zenaida ”Zee” Oshiro
Jodi Poaha
Cynthia “Cindy” Suzuki














NENCHOSHA CLUB UPDATE
By Gloria Reynon
May 10, Sunday, is Mother’s Day. In Okinawa, the celebration centers on heartfelt gestures & sincere appreciation rather than expensive, store-bought gifts As in mainland Japan, it is customary to give red carnations, symbolizing a mother’s love & sacrifice. Families often express their love through handmade gifts & by preparing traditional Okinawan dishes such as goya champuru (a stir-fry of bitter melon & pork) or Okinawan soba. With heartfelt gratitude, we honor all mothers, grandmothers, & aunties the heart and soul of our Ohana!
April 2: Pearl City Community Church group “Hauʻoli ʻOhana” (Happy Family) delivered a spiritual and uplifting performance. The group included LMPSC members Roy Inoue (leader) & Ron Oshiro, along with church members Karen, Susan, Charlie, Maile, & Elyne They opened with “The Lord’s Prayer,” followed by a selection of inspirational songs including “This Is the Day,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “He Will Carry You,” “Majesty,” & “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The women danced hula to “Kanaka Wai Wai,” reflecting spiritual wealth over material riches, as well as to other Hawaiian songs celebrating Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty such as “Haole Hula,” “Wai O Ke Aniani,” & “Wahine ʻIlikea,” They also danced to the popular Japanese song “Koko ni Sachi Ari” (“Here Is Happiness”). It was a comforting & meaningful program that beautifully highlighted faith, hope, & love in the face of adversity especially fitting for the Easter season!
April 9: NO ONC MEETING
April 16: Bingo was a day filled with fun & games. Some of the lucky winners were Lillian Minami, Takako Goya, Annette Miyashiro, Kay Fukuhara, Vickie Tong, & Becky Huebsch. Did you know? Bingo began in Italy in 1530 as a lottery game. By 1929, it was called “Beano” in the U.S. Legend says that at a Georgia carnival, a winner accidentally shouted “Bingo!” and that’s how Bingo got its name.
April 23: Brian Suzuki gave an informative presentation on A’ala district, sharing slides of the city before World War II A’ala was the gateway to Honolulu’s Japanese community & grew around a busy transportation hub. Plantation workers arriving by ship often stayed at nearby hotels, including the Kobayashi Hotel, where assistance was offered to new arrivals People from the outer islands returning to Japan also stayed at these hotels
There were blocks of shops, known as A’ala Rengō (alliance or union), stretched from North King St to Iwilei Road. Apartments stood above the stores & communal bathhouses reflected Japanese customs. The Toyo Theater, Nippon Theater, & Kokusai Theater featured Japanese films & ‘benshi’ silent movies
One notable descendant of A’ala’s early immigrants was George Arioshi, Hawai’i’s longest-serving governor & the first Asian American governor of a U.S. state. Other descendants are LMPSC members Charlotte Yamamoto & Brian Suzuki. As cars became common & Ala Moana Center opened, many A’ala businesses closed or moved away The Oahu Railway & Land Company Terminal Depot Building still stands as a reminder of the vibrant days.
Umaribi-kariyushi yaibiin (Happy Birthday) to: Ellen Endo, Roddy Higa, Sharon Kim, Kimiyo (Yuki) Kuhns, Giselle Miyashiro, Sharon Nakai, Sally Nakata, Patricia (Pat) Oda, Nancy Yeda & Aiko Nakamura
Anmā, ichun nifē dēbiru!
Mom, thank you for everything. May you always be blessed with love, health, & happiness❣️




By Clarice Kumura

“Okaasan, itsumo arigatou. Itsumo kansha shitemasu” (Mother, thank you for everything. I am always grateful. Wouldn’t this be the best Mother’s Day gift if all of our children greeted us with these grateful words. A Japanese Mother’s Day celebration is a wonderful way to show how much you care, Traditionally, Mother’s Day is associated with eggs so whipping an egg dish such as Tamagoyaki (Japanese rectangular omelet) or Chawanmushi (a custard egg, usually served with chicken or shrimp) would be a winner. Here in Hawaii we’ll celebrate with family gatherings and usually have sushi and mochi However you celebrate Mother’s Day, this is a day to treat all Mom’s HAPPY HAHA NO HI
MAY EVENT: 04 Children’s Day Craft with Rosie and Janet (Koi Paper Roll)
11 -- Mother’s Day Celebration (Paradise Tanoshii Odori)
18 Birthday Celebration/Elsie’s Karaoke Group)
25 Holiday - Memorial Day
April Recap: On April 6, Douglas Oshiro's Jukebox singers performed nostalgic songs, and lively audience participation with the chicken dance. On April 13, Dr. Craig China presented insights on geriatric medicine, highlighting family, quality of life, and independence for older adults On April 20, Mellow Friends delivered energetic opera selections from Broadway including Cats and Phantom of the Opera
Tanjoube Omedetou Gozaimasu to: Sally Nakata (100+); Dorothy Mau (90+); Susan Kiyosaki; Keiji Murakami; Sharon Nakai; Nancy Yeda (Blessings in abundance on your Special Day).





By Beth Miguel
On behalf of our President, Ms. Wilma Ibay, together with our club advisor, Mr. Rudy Ibay, we at FCCH welcome and greet everybody with a warm hello and aloha! There’s nothing much to report because of the wet weather causing the closure of many of our programs for everybody's safety.
On 4/4/26, we finally had a meeting celebrating Easter week Our club provided a snack for every member (pancit and pandesal). Thanks for that! Continued our camaraderie with our routine, welcome speech by our VP, Cora Orinion, supported by Beth Miguel (secretary), then praying, singing both Filipino and American national anthems, then practicing Filipino dances in preparation of upcoming events like Mother's Day We parted at 11:00 a m
On 4/11/26, meeting was cancelled due to the weather.
On 4/15/26, I attended the Program Committee meeting as madam Wilma’s proxy. They talk about the continuation of the Center’s improvements and some upcoming center celebrations like July 4th . Meeting adjourned at 1-:30 a.m.
On 4/18/26, birthday celebrations for members born in March= Mila Julian and Fely Baliba combined with April birthday celebrants= Josephine Aguilar, Dolores Juan, Virgilio Lucas, and Ana Rarangol. Each of the birthday celebrants brought food. We enjoyed the party Our meeting ended at 11:00 a m
On 4/30/26, FCCH representatives will attend the funeral of our avid member, the late Cresente Guillermo. RIP and the clubs’ condolences to the immediate family An envelope will be given to the wife from FCCH
In conclusion, I thank our president Wilma Ibay for entrusting me her duties. It helps to widen my learning horizons and experiences Take care kuya Rudy and madam, GBU both!






By Roland Manuel
ALOHA!!! May Day is lei day in Hawaii! May 1st is “Lei Day” is a colorful festival honoring Hawaiian culture, the spirit of aloha and the art of lei making, Originating in 1928, features lei competitors, live music, and hula, with the main celebration occurring at Honolulu Tom Moffat’s Waikiki Shell. Each island has an assigned color and flower.
Niiahu- White/Pupu (small Shell)
Kauai- Purple/Mokihana (small native citrus fruit)
Oahu- Yellow/Ilima
Molokai- Green /Kukui (candlenut)
Maui- Pink/Lokelani (small rose)
Lanai- Yellow/Kauana’a
Kahoolawe- Gray/Hinahina
Hawaii- Red/Lehua
We heartily welcome Joe Pacyao, new member
Let’s not forget our mothers/grandmothers on May 10th , Sunday Hau’oli la Makuahine Happy Mother’s Day! We cannot forget those we have lost in family or at war on Memorial Day, May 25th , Monday- La Kau Pua or Hanohano.: military personnel who have lost their lives.
With that in mind, we offer our prayers to all members of the Hawaiian Cultural Club. Life is a journey ALOHA!!

By Dorothy Mau
Happy May Day to all! Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Boy’s Day! We were happy to be together at our third Friday meeting in April Members who attended were very happy and dedicated to our club! We wish Chow Fook and Cindy Choy safe trip to Los Angeles to visit their son who is still recovering from a severe car accident. May the Lord put His healing hands on their son for a speedy recovery.
Members born in January to June will have a Happy Birthday celebration at Happy Day restaurant on June 19, 2026 at 10:30 am Xie xie to Susie Chun Oakland, her staff, and volunteers for a fantastic Volunteer Appreciation Day We are most grateful! Remember the most beautiful way to start and end a day is with a grateful heart Xie xie- thank you very much.

Evelyn Ambrocio
Alice Arakaki
Pauline Arakaki
Harvey Arkin
May Asato
Cely Bartolome
Karom Burke
Carol Anne Burrows
Celestina Cabaccang
Veronica Cabal
Stephanie Carrier
Su Lan Chen
Siu Ling Cheung Chen
Yvonne Chin
Alison Ching
Peter Ching
Sylvia Ching
Glenn Chong
Karen Chow
Wendell Chun
Mae Chung
Lee Ann Close
Donna Compton
Rogelio Cortez
Helen Costa
Joycelynn Costa
Amando De Peralta Jr.
Sharon Dumas
Ellen Endo
Manuel Espeleta
Cheryl Feagins
Peggy Fearn
Margarita Flores
Carol Fong
Sterling Foster
Monica Furuhashi
Judy Furukawa
Violet Ganeku
Susan Goya
Emelita Guillermo
Caryn Gushikuma
Rie Hachiya
Betsy Hall
Corazon Hanapi
Suzie Hasegawa
Ellen Higa
Lillian Higa
Roddy Higa
Grecia Hill
James Hino
Pok Ye Hirata
Sharon Hirose
Roseline Ho
Bonnie Hokama
Betty Honma
David Horen
Wendell Hue
Noreen Inamasu
Juliana Iniba
Elsie Ishiki
Sylvia Iwasaki
Youngsoon Jhun
Karen Kanbe
Diane Kawamoto
Juanita Kawamoto
Jennie Kawasaki
Demitrius Keliiholokai
Chongae Kim
Myung Ok Kim
Sharon Kim
Susan Kiyosaki
Lynne Kobayashi
Laraine Koga
Kimiyo Kuhns
Jane Kunimura
Karen Kurihara
Caroline Kuwahara
Sang Sook Kwak
Han-Bien Kwik
Kyong Cha Lamson
Ester Lansangan
Lorraine Lau
Sunny Lee
Mu Cha Leiggi
Joanne Lim
Rita Lo
Thomas Loo
Isaac Lujan
Wing Yee Lau Lum
Calvin Maballo
Hyun Soon Maerki
Cynthia Ann Manabe
Mae Matsumoto
Dorothy Mau
Giselle Miyashiro
Kelvin Miyazaki
Yoko Mizuno
Kiyomi Morisato
Keiji Murakami
Kenneth Nakagawa
Sharon Nakai
Melvin Nakama
Lynne Nakamoto
Michael Nakamoto
By Puna Frank
Bom dia and OBRIGADO to everyone that attended the volunteer gala To our front desk ohana- keep on truckin! To our staff, obrigado for all you do to keep us seniors up and about! That is “TEAM WORK! Let’s all gallop and greet 2026 as on big ohana! Special mahalos to our director, Susie, and sponsors who help get our center afloat and Rose Ho, our longtime treasurer!
Aiko Nakamura
Annie Nakamura
Sally Nakata
Karen Oda
Patricia Oda
Dore Oishi
Donald Ojiri
Jonathan Okabe
Miles Okimura
Grace Okuma
Betty Ono
Chiyoko Oshiro
Norma Oshiro
Seiji Oshiro
Grace Paik
Carol Pang
Debra Pang
E Leng Piotrowski
Mae Rosen
Michiko Runyon
Gary Sakuma
Lynn Sari
Mary Jo Segawa
Francis Seo
Benjamin Sercena
Corazon Serdenia
Jae Sook Shinsato
Alice Shiroma
Dixie Sinkovits
Etsuko Smith
Edna Sonomura
Aurelia Sonson
Eileen Su
Karen Suehiro
Russell Sugai
Karen Takasaki
Lucille Taketa
Annette Tamanaha
Jan Titgen
Mae Tsukamoto
Julie Umemoto
Rudolph Villamil
Dionie Villanueva
May Watanabe
Takako Welch
Stuart Yamada
Xiao Ping Yang
Janet Yasumatsu
Nancy Yeda
James Yee
Yongsuk Yi-Jackson
Audrey Young
William Young
Miguela Zaluaga


• Please make sure you are checking into the monitor to log in your attendance for the day. This includes classes, excursions, special events, and presentations.
• Water bottle sale now $0.75 (while supplies last!)

Thank you so much for your generosity!
Kline-Welsh Behavioral Health Foundation
KAHILI
GINGER ($250+)
Suzui, Carole
Toma, James & Dorene
HIBISCUS ($100+)
Endo, Yoi
Fukunaga, Carol
Fujiwara, Sylvia
Hu, Lorna
Nanbu, Patsy
Oka, M/M Calvin
ONC
Oshiro, Doris
Yoshioka, Arson
BIRD OF PARADISE ($50+)
Ige, Vivian
Takakawa, Sylvia
ANTHURIUM
($49 & under)
Dumas, Sharon
Okura, Clyde
Pangelina, Jan
Poaha, Jodi
Sumida, Val
Suzui, Carole
Takashita, Karen
Tokumura, Violet
Tominaga, Sunny
Batula, Joan
Bratt, Amy
Chang, Nohea
Ebisuya, Karen & Mel
Endo, Yoi
Furumori, Sandra
Hariguchi, Jan
Haus, Doris
Hayama, Wade & Alison
Ige, Ellie
Ikegami, Darlene
Isa, Sharon
Isekawa, Marilyn
Kishimoto, Ellen
Lee, Marge
Lum, Sandra
Makashima, Donna
Maruno, Elsie
Moku, Marilyn
Morioka, Greta Nagamine, Dorene Nagamine, Stanley Nakamoto, Letheia
Nishimura, Rhonda Nishiyama, Mel Okimura, Miles
Sakamoto, Atsuko
Samori, Sandy
Schoeppher. Betty
St.Onge, Dennis
Sugiki, Cynthia
Sumida, Val
Takekawa, June
Tamekazu, Jean
Wong, Irene
Yonehara, Cyrilla
*Most classes and clubs are an hour long, unless noted otherwise below.
Day
Monday
Time Class
Facilitator
Location
8:30 AM Picking Ukulele Nishiyama, Young Sewing Room
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM Victor’s Kapakahi Group Tangonan Library Annex
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Japanese Cultural Club Sueda Lanai
10:30 AM Basic Japanese Sasaki Sewing Room
10:30 AM Making Music with Ukulele Olayan Library Annex
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Hula Makolo Dance Room
10:45 AM Yoga Hasegawa Lanai
11:00 AM Tai Chi for Health Lau Activity Room
12:00 PM Ping Pong Ream Lanai
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Cribbage Tom Patio
Tuesday 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM Needle and Thread Oshiro Sewing Room
8:00 – 11:00 AM Mah Jong Sugihara Library Room
8:15 AM Intermediate Ukulele G. Olayan Library Annex
8:30 AM Beginner Guitar Dacoscos Lanai
9:00 AM Hawaiian Cultural Club (1st & 3rd Tues. of the month) Manuel Activity Room
9:15 AM – 12:00 PM Pickleball Lardizabal, Tsubaki Lanakila Gym
9:30 AM Music Lovers Group Espeleta Library Annex
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Hula Makolo Dance Room
10:00 AM & 11:00 AM Beginner’s iPhone Class* Kawasaki Patio
10:00 AM Sahm Bo Dahn B. Higuchi, J. Higuchi Lanai
11:00 AM Beginning Mah Jong Salmon Library Annex
11:15 AM Beginning Hula Makolo Dance Room
11:30 AM Japanese Calligraphy Usami Sewing Room
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Line Dance Sunwoo Lanai Wednesday TBD (day & time varies) Gardening Group* Nakamura TBD
8:00 AM Tai Chi* Koike ONLINE
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Fit & Flexible Mayeshiro Dance Room
8:30 AM Beginning Ukulele R. Sugai Sewing Room
9:00 AM Stretch & Tone Werle Lanai
9:30 AM Portuguese Cultural Club (2nd & 4th Wed. of the month) Frank Activity Room
9:45 AM – 12:00 PM Sewing by Nakasone Nakasone, Ito Craft Room
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Korean Dance Cultural Club Hasegawa Dance Room
Day
Thursday
Time Class
Facilitator Location
10:30 AM Happy Senior Serenaders Ojiri, Ramiro Sewing Room
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Shigin Tokugawa Library Room
10:45 AM Yoga Fujii Lanai
12:00 PM Crafts by Janet* Miyashiro Sewing Room
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM Chinese Traditional Dance Feng, Hou Dance Room
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Conv. Mandarin Language Xu, Hou Dance Room
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Gateball Clarke, Pilger Ala Moana Beach Park
TBD (day & time varies) Composting Wormies Group* Uyehara TBD
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Okinawa Nenchosha Club Higa Lanai
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Taisho Koto Takeuchi Library Room
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Hanafuda Samori Dance Room
9:15 AM – 12:00 PM Pickleball Hino, Lau Lanakila Gym
10:30 AM Japanese Calligraphy Usami Craft Room
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Cribbage Lardizabal Patio
11:00 AM Okinawan Dance Kawaguchi Lanai
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Digital Technology* Lanakila Pacific Sewing Room
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM Brian’s Karaoke Class (2nd & 4th Thurs. of the month) Suzuki Library Annex, Go Room
1:00 PM – 2:45 PM Go Nguyen-Phuoc, Hiller Dance Room
Friday 8:00 AM Tai Chi* Koike ONLINE
9:00 AM African American Cultural Club (2nd & 4th Fri. of the month) Gray Activity Room
9:00 AM Fusion Gittelman ONLINE
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Enka Arakaki Sewing Room
9:30 AM Chinese Cultural Club (1st & 3rd Fridays of the month) Mau Activity Room
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Yui Buyo A. Sugai, S. Nakasone Lanai
9:30 AM- 12:00 PM Tap Dance Feagins, Ferreira Dance Room
10:30 AM Sing For Your Life Richmond Lib Annex, Go Room
11:00 AM American Sign Language Shimizu ONLINE
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM Ping Pong Ream Lanai
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Beginner Oldies Karaoke Lee Go Room
Saturday 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Filipino Cultural Club Ibay Activity Room
10:00 AM Zumba Gold Hokama Dance Room *Special registration- see staff for more info. Do not fill out a registration form.
Classes subject to change
May Day Program (9:00 am) Worm Compost Harvesting (12:00 pm) 2
Charity Walk at Ala Moana Beach Park Magic Island (7:00 am) Ilocano Basics (9:00 am)
Basic Samoan Language (10:00 am) Greeting Card Making (10:00 am)
Kahuku Farms (10:00 am)
Ti Leaf De-Ribbing (10:30 am) Haircuts (12:30 pm) Travel Club Meeting (1:00 pm) 5 Strength Training w/ Televeda (8:00 am) Show & Sell (8:00 am) 6
Ti Leaf Lei Making (9:00 am) Pelvic Health and Urinary Incontinence (12:30 pm) 7
Strength Training (8:00 am) Coffee, Tea & Talk Story (8:30 am) Quilt Show and Lunch (10:00 am) 8 Shangri-La Tour (8:15 am) Mentastics (11:00 am) CCH Board Visit to LMPSC (11:30 am) Korean Culture & Cuisine (2:00 pm) 9 Taste of Filipino Fiesta (9:00 am)
Honolulu Orchid Society Judging (9:30 am) Cybersecurity Presentation (10:00 am) Personal Technology (12:00 pm)
Lunch at Elks Lodge (10:15 am)
Ti Leaf De-Ribbing (10:00 am)
(12:30 pm)
(10:30 am)
(10:30 am)

*Calendar subject to change
Susie Chun Oakland
Riva Torno
Iris Hiramoto
Elizabeth “Cookie” Irvine
(9:00 am)
am)
harbor Boat Tour (3:15 pm)
& Ribbon Lei Workshop (1:00 pm)
i Leaf Lei Making (9:00 am) Multi-Grain Bread Baking Excursion (11:00 am) Orange Xpress (12:00 pm)
Ti Leaf Lei Making (9:00 am) Sing Along Karaoke (12:00 pm)
New Member Orientation (9:00 am) PAB Mtg (12:00 pm) YouTube Karaoke (12:30 pm) Brain Injury Presentation (1:30 pm)
Kahuku Farms (9:30 am) CMP Meeting (2:00 pm)
Memorial Program (9:00 am) Getting Started with Mac Computers at Ala Moana Store (12:30 pm) Silk & Ribbon Lei Workshop (1:00 pm)
Health Presentation (1:00 pm)
Aging in Place (11:00 am)
Caregiver Support Group (11:00 am) CSS Staff Meeting (Center closes at 2 pm)
Flower Lei Making (9:00 am)
Fall Prevention (9:00 am)
Griswold Home Care Health Presentation (10:00 am) Iolani Palace Grounds (11:30 am) 30 Lanakila Men and Womens Shed (9:00 am)
Program Director suzanne.oakland@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Program Specialist riva.torno@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Membership Specialist ihiramoto@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Program Support Assistant elizabeth.irvine@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Lodi Tapawan Custodian
Cyan Lau, LSW
Lourdes Adame, LSW
Case Manager/Social Worker cyan.lau@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Case Manager/Social Worker lourdes.adame@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
