Maui Nominations Sought for 2019 Outstanding Older Americans

2018 Outstanding Older American Award
Recipients of Maui County are Clara Felix and William Kinaka. PC: OOA Nominees- High Street Journal / County of Maui

The Maui County Office on Aging is seeking nominations for their 51st annual Outstanding Older American awards.

The recognition program is held each May in conjunction with Older Americans Month to recognize elders across the nation for their extraordinary efforts and contributions to society. Nominees for the awards 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.

The deadline to return completed nomination forms is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29, to the Office on Aging at the J Walter Cameron Center.  Nominations should be addressed to: “Attn: OOA Committee, 95 Mahalani St., Room 20, Wailuku, HI 96793.”  Completed forms also can be faxed to 270-7935 or emailed to mcoa.adrc@mauicounty.gov.

Nomination forms are available online at www.mauicountyadrc.org, or by emailing mcoa.adrc@mauicounty.gov.

Awards will be presented at a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the Kīhei Community Center. The annual program recognizes older Americans for their contributions and encourages the younger generations to give back to their communities.

This year, the national theme is “Connect—Create—Contribute,” which encourages older adults to connect with friends, family and services that support participation; create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health and personal enrichment; and contribute time, talent and life experience to benefit others.

A total of 99 older adult volunteers have been recognized in Maui County since the awards program was initiated in 1968. Wendell Crockett was the first Maui County recipient of the award. Last year’s awardees were William Kinaka of Wailuku and Clara Felix of Kīhei.