Lolita Bucaneg, Reynaldo De Leon honored by Lahaina-Honolua senior club

Two octogenarians born 28 days and worlds apart ­– Lolita Bucaneg and Reynaldo De Leon – were honored at the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club Older Americans Luncheon on May 21 at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.

More than 30 members attended the annual event with Mayor Richard Bissen offering a few remarks and presenting certificates to Bucaneg and De Leon.

“For kupuna, your wisdom, your warmth, your heart, that’s where we learn,” he told the gathering, adding that he is kupuna based on being a grandfather of three grandsons.

Bucaneg, 80, was born on Jan. 2, 1945, in the Philippines and immigrated to Oʻahu in January 1978 with her husband Nemesio, about a half year after their marriage. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from National University in the Philippines, she was able to utilize her knowledge and skills as an English as a Second Language teacher at Waimānalo Elementary.

Bucaneg moved to Maui in July 1980 and taught ESL at Lahaina Intermediate and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary until her retirement in June 2010. She also worked as a food and beverage cashier at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

De Leon was born in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 30, 1945, and graduated from Burbank High School. His route to Hawaiʻi was charted through the military, which he joined in 1962.

He moved permanently to Maui in 1966.

De Leon worked for Gray Line tour company for 20 years and the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa for 30 years, retiring in 2007.

He has seven children through two marriages and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MEO’s Maui County Planning & Coordinating Council staff assisted in the planning of the event, which recognizes 80-year-old club members. The club, which is led by its president, Hedy Udarbe, honors its 90-year-old members at the club’s holiday party in December.