Born in ‘Ewa to plantation workers, Sadie (Yasui) Kaya had the best childhood ever. Her memory of growing up there is so strong today, at the age of 103, that she sang a childhood song to me: “Ewa is our happy home. Yes, yes, oh yes. Never from her shall we roam. No, no, oh no. Oh how happy now are we, when we see the DPD. Soon the waters we shall see. Sing, children, sing.”
Sadie, her four brothers and a sister enjoyed ‘Ewa’s playgrounds, gyms and baseball fields. Like her brothers, Sadie was quite an athlete. Her sister Lorraine owned the Ewa Tavern with husband Eddie, who Sadie said was a great cook. This well-known restaurant had patrons coming from as far as Barbers Point for delicious meals and pies.
Sadie married and worked at the Ewa School’s cafeteria on Renton Road. She told me that the “Lincoln, the Frontiersman” statue was donated by Katherine Burke. My research showed Katherine McIntosh Burke was a teacher and principal there from 1919 to 1927. The statue was unveiled on February 12, 1944 and a celebration is held every year on Lincoln’s birthday in front of it.
Her great memories of ‘Ewa make Sadie very happy. She is called the “Ewa Queen” by her friends and the staff of the Care Center of Honolulu. I thanked her for sharing those memories, which she said “many Ewa people will remember too.”
Stories for and about seniors and their caregivers are always worth sharing, such as 100th birthday announcements. Send stories and photos to Sherry Goya.
808-722-8487 | sgoyallc@aol.com
The City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation held its annual Troops for Fitness Senior Bowling event on Oct. 12 at Leeward Bowl in Pearl City. With 100 bowlers from 11 city and county senior clubs on O‘ahu, this annual event used almost every lane.
Socialization, fun and competition brought club members together. Leeward Bowl was filled with laughter, applause, fist pumps and most of all, friendship among all bowlers.
Named one of 13 Rising Star Chefs over 20 years ago, Hawai‘i Chef Alan Wong soon became a supernova, helping to birth Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine (HRC) with other chefs determined to work with local farmers, fishermen and ranchers. HRC put Hawai‘i on the foodie map, establishing the state as a soughtafter destination where diners can experience a unique blend of ethnic-inspired cuisines made with fresh, local products, which he offers at his multiple-awardwinning restaurants.
In addition to contributing to his profession, Chef Wong believes in giving back to the community. Generations Magazine® asked him about his growing legacy of giving.
She and her late husband, Ralph came to Hawai’i from San Diego, California in 1962 when he was assigned to a US Department of Defense position. After her late husband’s death in 1999, she followed her longtime interests in oil painting, sewing, reading, and cartooning. Later, as a painter, she sought out people engaged in activities and based her paintings on photos with subjects ranging from people enjoying favorite pastimes at the beach or taking walks in Arcadia’s gardens where she resides to tourist attractions and peaceful landscapes.
