Seniors shine in talent show

By CHELSEA JENSEN

Stephens Media

You couldn’t help but feel the vibe Friday as dozens of Big Island seniors took to the stage showing off an array of talents in the island’s version of “America’s Got Talent” in Kailua-Kona.

From poems and handwritten skits to belly, line and hula dancing, talents of all sorts were on display during the annual Hawaii County Senior Stars Talent Show held at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion. No matter the performance, it seemed the audience couldn’t help but join in for some fun.

“We enjoy our retirement,” said Pilar Asia, a Honokaa Senior Club member who also performed in the show. “We get into these events that are held for seniors to enjoy because we worked so hard when we were young, raising families and putting food on the table every night, and now we are retired, we have the time. So we enjoy it.”

Asia was one of 229 seniors who showed up for the event coordinated by Hawaii County’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Recreation Services. One senior selected from each of the service’s 19 clubs and centers judged the 10 solo and eight group performances. The highest score netted the top award in each category.

The event, funded by program user fees, cost about $2,000, said Kelly Hudik, West Hawaii Elderly Recreation Services program director. Prizes, food and some supplies were donated, which helped keep the cost down.

“Nothing comes out of the Elderly Activities (Division) budget,” she said. “This is a self-sufficient program.”

Now in its fifth year, the talent show strives to bring together as many seniors as possible from around the Big Island, said Hudik. It is one of about a dozen events put on for seniors each year.

“A lot of it is about getting them out and socializing,” she said. “It’s important to be able to get out of the house and see others. It helps keep everyone active and healthy — both physically and mentally.”

Glenn Mansanas, a 67-year-old Hilo resident who performed with Hilo’s Aunty Sally Nutritional Center members, said the senior programs have done for him just as Hudik said they were intended. Getting out and socializing with other seniors also got him back into playing the guitar, a talent he said he gave up after high school.

“I was a hermit. I spent all my time at home,” he said. “But, now I am out, and it’s keeping me young. I definitely feel younger.”

May Otomo, who also hails from the Aunty Sally Nutritional Center, said she’d like to see another senior talent show held on the Big Island. Holding the event in Hilo would make it easier for more seniors to attend because some couldn’t make the trip across the island, she said.

“It’s a good social event that we need in Hilo,” she said after singing “Thank you, Veterans” while playing the guiro, a Latin-American percussion instrument. “I may not place, but it’s good fun.”

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.

Senior Stars Talent Show results

Solo performance

— 1st place: Carla Orellana, from the North Kohala Seniors Club, performing a belly dance.

— 2nd place: Penny Madamba, from the Kamana Senior Center, performing hula to “Hula Lady.”

— 3rd place — tie: Dorothy Williams, from the Pomaikai Senior Center, performing hula to “When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop” and Errol Ishimine, from the Kona Karaoke Club, singing “Quando, Quando, Quando.”

Group performance

— 1st place: Honokaa Senior Club singing “I Wanna be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.”

— 2nd place: Paauilo Senior Club singing “The Flag of the United States.”

— 3rd place: Volcano Senior Club performing a line dance called “Are You Ready?” to the song “It’s Raining.”