Hilo Grandmothers”s Club 652 has honored Paulette Ke as its 2012 Grandmother of the Year. Hilo Grandmothers”s Club 652 has honored Paulette Ke as its 2012 Grandmother of the Year. ADVERTISING Ke is the mother of three daughters, who have
Hilo Grandmothers”s Club 652 has honored Paulette Ke as its 2012 Grandmother of the Year.
Ke is the mother of three daughters, who have given her two grandsons and four granddaughters.
Born and raised in Ka‘u, Ke is of pure Hawaiian ancestry. Her family lived on Kapapala Ranch. A 1970 graduate of Ka‘u High School, she received numerous scholarships for a free ride to Friends University in Wichita, Kan., where she graduated in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in agri-business, with a minor in horticulture.
Ke lived in Kansas for 31 years, then returned to the Big island in May 2001. She worked as an addiction counselor in Puna and then as a teacher of behavioral health for children, a field in which she has a second bachelor of science degree in addiction counseling and a minor in sociology.
Ke is very active in such clubs such as Hale O Na Alii, a Hawaiian Society; the Hilo Grandmothers Club, Kapa Apana (quilt club) of Hilo, the Career Support Group @ Hui Malama, and the Hawaiian Civic Club of Hilo, and is a volunteer with Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua.
Her hobbies include connecting with family and friends, gardening, sudoku and reading.
“As you can see, she is a very deserving grandmother and we were proud to honor her at the Merrie Monarch Festival Parade,” said club spokeswoman Charlotte Branco.
