Nominations Sought for Outstanding Older Volunteers on Maui

By Wendy Osher

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

The County’s Office on Aging is accepting nominations for their “Outstanding Older Americans 2011” awards. Nominations are due by April 1, and the honorees will be recognized at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Maui Tropical Plantation.

One male and one female will be selected from Maui County as Outstanding Older Americans. Nominees must be 65 years of age at the time of nomination. The individual can either volunteer service to an organization, or spend their time as a volunteer caregiver for friends, neighbors or family members.

This is the 43rd year that the County of Maui is issuing the awards. This year’s theme, “Older Americans: Connecting the Community,” was selected to pay homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. The theme also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

The Maui honorees will also join Outstanding Older Americans from the counties of Hawaii, Kauai and the City and County of Honolulu, in a state recognition ceremony hosted by Governor Neil Abercrombie at Washington Place in Honolulu on May 13, 2011.

Nomination forms are available online at www.hawaiiadrc.org, at the Maui County Office on Aging at One Main Plaza, Suite 547, in Wailuku, or by calling 270-7755. Forms must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. April 1, 2011 by fax to 270-7935, or by mail to the Maui County Office on Aging, Attn: OOA Committee, 200 S. High St., Wailuku 96793.