Over what hill? Hawai'i's vintage life
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Over 60 doesn't mean over the hill, "The Silent Majority: Lessons from Hawai'i Seniors" asserts, through the lives of nine residents who maintain productive lives and a healthy outlook.
'The Silent Majority: Lessons from Hawai'i's Seniors'
Hank Stackpole, a 69-year-old who served 36 years with the U.S. Marine Corps (retiring in 1994 as a three-star lieutenant general), hosts.
In "The Silent Majority," local folks are going strong. It mixes interviews with performances or activities that reflect their lives.
The lineup includes:
Advertiser library photo • March 7, 2004
• Buffalo Keaulana, 69, the well-known beachboy-surfer. He says his vision is weakening — "eyes not the same; you can see far ... but blurry" — and his lungs no longer have holding power. His mantra? "Catch a wave you enjoy."
Nainoa Thompson, left, presents a koa paddle to noted waterman Buffalo Keaulana during the 28th Annual Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic held last month at Makaha Surfing Beach.
• Gwen Johnson, 68, a public school (Pearl Harbor Kai) teacher and singer (at the Hickam chapel). Music is her passion, but she is a believer in education. "Everything starts with a teacher; listen to your elders," she says.
• Ray Emory, 69, a Pearl Harbor survivor with an encyclopedic memory who has dedicated his life to identifying "unknown soldiers." He has made it his mission to identify his unknown wartime colleagues. "We don't care for things we already have," he says. His rattling off, roll-call style, of all the battleships not mentioned at the USS Arizona is amazing.
• Elodia Kane, 67, Hawaiian singer and spouse of kiho'alu wizard Raymond Kane. She finds the aloha spirit changing with time but believes in sharing her knowledge and love of Island music. "Many people encourage me to write a book — but I'm not a writer. My book is in my head," she says.
• Malia McNamara-Rzeplenski, 61, president of the Pupukea Seniors and a hula-dancing professional artist. "What a joy to mature," she says, and "not having to prove yourself." Many elders are in "senior denial," she says, when she thinks they should accept aging gracefully.
• Bob Bethune, 68, last year's captain of the senior Olympic team. He mixes basketball with salsa dancing "to get your blood going."
• Jimmy Asato, 61, owner of KC Drive Inn. His secret of success? "Interact with customers ... make them feel like family," he says.
• Ruth Freedman, 66, the senior member of the University of Hawai'i Symphony (she plays harp) and a retired Kalaupapa nurse. Originally from Israel, she can't help but feel "lucky you live Hawai'i — a treasure not everybody can have."
• Leroy Sheppard, 61, also known as Uncle Butchy, a North Shore denizen who surfs and collects shells. He believes everyone should love the ocean and feel young. "Get in it and feel your serious soul; it prolongs your life," he says. "It's like a tai chi dance and you can do it in the fluid of the ocean."
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
