Once again, the trade winds of Hilo town will fill the air with the sounds of Dexter Veriato and his guitar at the Fairway Grill on Saturday, Sept. 28, for the 2024 Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center Founders Gala.
This event will honor historical buildings, major donors and key individuals who have significantly impacted the Hawaii Island community through their work and help in supporting and sharing the Portuguese culture.
The Andrade Building will receive a 100th Anniversary Commemorative Award. Built in 1924 by John Jose and Rose Andrade, it is one of seven Portuguese buildings contributing to the establishment of Honokaa town, Hawaii’s second largest town at that time.
Founding donors (donors donating $10,000 or more) this year include Theresa Perreira Zendejas and Andrade’s Honokaa Café.
Upon being diagnosed with an advanced case of cancer, Zendejas donated her Pahoa home and property to the center to make sure it was built. The home was sold in March 2024, providing funds needed to do the site work for the center. Very active in the Blue Zone project, Zendejas also was the Champion Shuffler of the center’s Malasada Shuffle 5K.
Andrade’s Honokaa Café, owned and operated by Marlene and Archie Hapai, was reopened July 3, 2020, three months after COVID hit, to honor Rose and JJ Andrade, Marlene’s grandparents, who built the Andrade Building in 1924. At the time, the building housed a restaurant, bar, 15-room hotel, dance hall, butcher shop and gas station out front, which fueled bus service providing transportation between Honokaa and Hilo.
Five individuals will be honored at the gala for their outstanding community service and their work on behalf of supporting and sharing the Portuguese culture.
Kahealani Martins Curammeng will be honored for her work as president and director of the nonprofit organization Portuguese Family History Collections of Hawaii, her books documenting Portuguese emigration and her many hours helping people trace their genealogy.
Daniel and Jeanette Santos (in memorium) have each served as president of the Big Island Portuguese Culture Club and will be honored for their leadership in promoting and perpetuating the Portuguese culture through a wide range of activities including dancing, making malasadas and bisca card playing.
Kaialii Kahele, former U.S. congressman and state senator, earned the title of Center Champion because of his major support in helping the center receive a $1 million state grant-in-aid in 2016 which launched initial funding for the Portuguese center.
State Rep. Chris Todd, another Center Champion, will be honored for his long-term commitment to support funding for the center, helping to acquire three additional state grants-in-aid.
Deceased state Rep. Mark Nakashima will be honored in memorium for his strong and unwavering support and guidance from 2016 to the present. His legislative leadership resulted in $1.35 million in funding for the center.
Prior to the program, guests will be invited to a social hour at 5 p.m. with no-host cocktails and pupus, followed at 6 p.m. by a dinner with prime rib, basil chicken and crusted fish, plus salads, starches, beverages and dessert. The program begins at 7 p.m., and festivities come to a close at 8:30 p.m.
All are invited to attend this event to honor those deserving of recognition.
For tickets and reservations, contact Jean Alves at (808) 938-9283 or email Jean at alvesj002hawaii.rr.com.
Founding Donor Tables of eight are $10,000; Mid-Voyage Founders Tables of eight are $5,000; Saudades Tables of eight are $2,500. Individual seats are $100 each.
RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The HIPCC Cultural and Educational Center is a 501(c)3. Donations support the building of the center and are tax deductible.
