Honorable Mention
Man's positive attitude brightens others' lives

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

Ken Edwards cruises through Fort Street Mall in downtown on his electric scooter. He says he likes "being out amid all the people." Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Having a good outlook on life makes all the difference," Edwards said. "Everything seems a whole lot brighter when you start with the right attitude."

Despite having to use a motorized scooter to get around, Edwards spreads that upbeat feeling everywhere he goes: At the Makiki library, where he does volunteer work. At the First Baptist Church of Honolulu, where he teaches Sunday school. At City Hall, where he sits in on public meetings just to keep himself informed.

"I try to keep a positive attitude," he said. "It doesn't pay to do it any other way."

That outlook caught the attention of his friend Robin Makapagal, who says Edwards is an inspiration to her and nearly everyone else he comes in contact with.

"His can-do attitude makes me realize that despite his handicapping conditions, he has chosen to live his life to the fullest, making an impact on others for good," Makapagal said. "He looks for the good in people and often brings out the good in them."

Growing up on the U.S. East Coast with severely crippled legs and suffering from hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid between membranes of the brain, Edwards at first tried to keep to himself away from others.

"It was pretty hard living like that inside most of the time," he said. "It was a very structured existence."

Edwards said he was saved by religion in 1969, a change which helped open him up to meeting with others. But it was in 1984, when he first visited Hawai'i, when he really blossomed.

"My brother brought me over to Hawai'i for a vacation, and I just loved it here," he said. "All the people were so nice and kind to me. Everyone always wanted to stop and ask me if I needed help."

Edwards moved into a downtown apartment and soon began returning the kindness he's received. He's something of fixture, riding his motorized scooter and taking the bus, making friends everywhere he goes.

"Ken inspires me to keep on keeping on," Makapagal said. "From 1994 to 1996 my mother battled cancer. Every time she'd have to go to the hospital, Ken would stop in to visit her. Sometimes he'd just sit with her while she received chemotherapy. Every time he left, he'd thank her for allowing him to visit."

Edwards likes to stay on the go. He gets up early every day and heads out to breakfast with a friend, often seeking out new restaurants around downtown or Kalihi. Later he'll catch the bus to the Makiki Library where he reads stories to children, helps puts books away or just cleans up around the building. Sometimes, he'll just kick back somewhere like Thomas Square or Fort Street Mall to read a book; right now he's working his way through the Harry Potter series.

"I kind of like being out amid all the people," he said.

Nobody gives him any trouble either. "I kind of figure that if you mind your own business, people won't bother you," he said. "If you poke your nose where it doesn't belong, people will come after you."

Makapagal offered a final word of praise: "Ken Edwards is a good decent, kind, man. He lives a life of honor and integrity. He keeps his word. He holds no grudges and lives his life as one who is grateful for the gift of life. I think you have an idea of why I submitted his name to Honorable Mention."

Ken Edwards

AGE: 50

HOMETOWN: Chambersberg, Pa. Now lives in Downtown Hono-lulu.

FAMILY: Brother, Dr. Gary Edwards; sister-in-law, Valerie; niece, Allison.

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS: Reading to children, putting books away and dusting at Makiki Library; teaches Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Honolulu; helps with various cleanup efforts around town. Spreads an good cheer wherever he goes.

QUOTE: "If you mind your own business, people won't bother you. If you poke your nose where it doesn't belong, people will come after you."

Do you know someone who has won an award, given of himself or herself, or accomplished other things? The 'Ohana section profiles remarkable people every week. Write: Honorable Mention, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.