Waimanalo picks tireless volunteer
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — For more than four decades, Grace Adviento has seemingly been everywhere in Waimanalo — working and volunteering at beaches, parks, schools, libraries and churches.
• The city will provide free bus rides to Waimanalo from all areas of the island from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Riders need only tell the bus driver they are going to Waimanalo. • Traffic will be detoured along Waima-nalo's back roads, from Kumuhau to Oluolu streets, during the parade along Kalaniana'ole Highway, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Now her neighbors are honoring her as grand marshal of the annual Waimanalo Christmas parade on Saturday.
Free ride
A ho'olaulea will be held in conjunction with the parade at Waimanalo Beach Park from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event was pulled together in the last three weeks to help businesses hurt by the cliff stabilization project at Makapu'u, which closed one of two entrances to Waimanalo for three weeks.
Adviento, 69, was born and raised on Waimanalo's old sugar plantation. She retired five years ago as the city's director of beach parks and district parks for the Waimanalo area, yet continues to serve as a park volunteer and summer fun director and instructor.
Adviento also volunteers at the library, at her church and in the kupuna program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School.
"She embodies all that is good in Waimanalo," said Andrew Jamila Jr., president of the Waimanalo Construction Coalition, the parade sponsor.
Several years ago, she was instrumental in organizing the Waimanalo Plantation Reunion, which brought together hundreds of people.
Active in the Waimanalo Senior Citizens, Adviento has been a member of the Waimanalo Council of Community Organizations, Waimanalo school PTA, Waimanalo Canoe Club and Honolulu Community Action Program.
She turned down the grand marshal position earlier, so the parade committee tricked her into accepting, saying they would not otherwise provide a free trolley for the senior group to ride in the parade.
"I felt they should ask somebody else," Adviento said. "I was active, but I didn't do it for a name."
The ho'olaulea will feature food, vendors and entertainment. Free tickets will be distributed during the parade and at local businesses for a drawing.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
