FIRST PHOTO: Olowalu Store matriarch Matsue Fujii celebrates her 100th birthday Saturday at the Lahaina Jodo Mission. Flashing smiles and grasping the hands of well-wishers, Fujii enjoyed a milestone day that included food prepared by a teppanyaki chef, a birthday cake and singing. When it came time to blow out her candles, she clasped her hands together and appeared to say a little prayer, then blew one candle out when her son Donald held it close to her. Matsue Fujii was born in Honokowai on Oct. 5, 1912, the sixth of nine children of Japanese contract laborers. She ran Olowalu General Store for 44 years and was the treasurer for the Jodo Mission for nearly 25 years. Family members joked that her party was a warm-up for next weekend's 100th birthday celebration for Lahaina Jodo Mission. The congregation and guests will be marking the centennial with events Saturday and Oct. 21.
SECOND PHOTO: Matsue Fujii reaches out to greet niece Elaine Foo Sum while flanked by son Donald Fujii and friend Lara Watson.
THIRD PHOTO: Daughter-in-law Carol Fujii holds a selection of handmade crocheted doilies that Matsue Fujii made.
Article Photos
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
