Rod Ohira's People
North Shore gal, Hanalei guy find true love at seniors club

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Susan Lau and Charles "Charlie" Chu fell in love and got married in the 80s. That's 80s — as in years old — not the 1980s.

Charlie, 87, and Susan Chu, 82, snuggle after a performance at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

They were married on May 25 by retired Circuit Judge James Aiona in a private lunch-time ceremony at Hawai'i Civil Marriages.

It's the third marriage for the former Susan Ahn, who grew up in Kahuku. The first ended in divorce and her second husband, Harry D.C. Lau, died in 1975 after 35 years of marriage. Charlie Chu, a Kaua'i native from Ha'ena in Hanalei, was married for 59 years to the former Elizabeth Scott, who died seven years ago.

Between them, the couple have six children (ages 54-65), 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

"I never expected to fall in love again," said Susan Chu, who remained "comfortably single" for 26 years. "Charlie makes me feel cherished and loved. He's such a wonderful man, very sweet."

Her husband, meanwhile, considers himself a lucky man. "I'm very fortunate to have had two good, honest women in my life," Charlie Chu said. "Human beings are meant to have a companion. After being married for almost 60 years, I missed having one. At first, it was very lonesome."

Susan and Charlie met years ago while entertaining with different senior groups. Their relationship was friendly, nothing more than casual talk.

She danced hula and he played guitar for senior volunteers doing community service projects, such as greeting visitors at Honolulu Airport.

But following the death of his wife, Chu curtailed his public appearances and sought solace from his hobbies — painting, doing koa woodwork and music. It kept him busy but didn't ease the loneliness. "He stayed away for a year and came back to Na Kupuna O Na Makua Alii about the time I joined that (senior citizens) club," Susan Chu said.

The couple have very different personalities. She's gregarious, talkative and playful. He's reserved and soft-spoken, a gentle man who is personable and attentive.

It surprised Susan when Charlie came up to her after a performance at Kahala Mall six years ago and asked for her telephone number, but only after he was certain no one was watching. "I said 'what!?!' " she recalled, raising her voice for emphasis. "Naturally, I didn't give it to him. I didn't want to get involved."

But months later, Susan approached Charlie when no one was looking and slipped him a piece of paper. "I called her that evening and asked her out," he said. "For our first date, we went to Big Island Steak House at Aloha Tower. I forced her to order a lobster."

"We talked and talked," his wife added, continuing the story. "The waiter kept looking at us, wondering when we were going to order."

The relationship blossomed. Both had become regulars at each other's family functions by the time Susan asked Charlie to provide musical accompaniment for her solo hula to "Napua Lei 'Ilima" at her granddaughter Bonnie Leong and Gary Kiyabu's wedding party.

"I fell in love with her while I was singing the song," Charlie Chu said.

The couple began splitting their time between Charlie's Kane'ohe house and Susan's townhouse in Punchbowl. "At first, I thought live modern, no need get married," Charlie Chu said. "But after a while, I knew living together was not the Christian thing to do."

When the couple announced to family their intention to marry, everyone wanted to help plan the event, Charlie Chu said.

"I figured we would just get married at Kawaiaha'o chapel but it wasn't available," he added. "Only the big church was available so we started getting cold feet. It was going to be too elaborate."

Susan Chu said, "The kids wanted to make a big party and were just waiting for us to say when."

On the sixth anniversary of their first date, Susan and Charlie decided to get married without telling anyone.

It was a Friday, a day they usually perform with musical director Julia Souza's Na Kupuna O Na Makua Alii troupe at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel. When Geoff Graf, the hotel's general manager, learned why Susan and Charlie weren't performing that day, he surprised them upon their return with a wedding party.

"The best part is our families and friends are happy for us," Susan Chu said. "My husband is such a loving man. He's always holding my hand, even when we're watching TV. I'm so happy we have each other that I've forgotten what it's like to live alone."

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.