Nominations Sought for Maui Outstanding Older Americans

Marie Osaka (L) and Marvin Paularena were honored as Maui County’s 2010 Outstanding Older Americans. Photo courtesy County of Maui.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui County Office on Aging is seeking nominations for the county’s 45th Annual Outstanding Older American awards.

The county established the awards in 1968 to celebrate the contributions and achievements of older residents, with the first honoree being Wendell Crockett.

A total of 87 older adult volunteers have recognized to date.  Last year’s honorees were Michelle Paularena of Kahului and Mathew Napier of Kaanapali.

Nominees must be 65 years of age or older and a resident of Maui County. Any individual, club or organization may nominate candidates for the award. Previous winners are not eligible for nomination.

Nomination forms are available by calling 270-7755, visiting the web at www.mauicountyadrc.org, or emailing [email protected].   The deadline to return completed nomination forms is at 4 p.m. on March 25 2013.  Completed forms should be turned in to One Main Plaza, 2200 Main Street, Suite 547, Wailuku, HI 96793, or faxed to 270-7935.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 at the Maui Beach Hotel’s Elleair Rainbow Ballroom.  The celebration is part of the national celebration of Older Americans Month.