Local News

Volunteers make lei for Memorial Day

FIRST PHOTO: United Airlines customer service agents Nick Kaio (front right) and Megumi Bethel make ti leaf lei as part of a volunteer crew at Kaunoa Senior Center Friday morning in Spreckelsville. "It's nice to give back, especially to our veterans," Kaio said. Kaunoa has set a goal to make 4,002 lei to be placed on every grave at Maui Veterans Cemetery for Memorial Day. Kaunoa Senior Services Administrator Ruth Griffith said the volunteers have been making lei for weeks and a drop off of finished lei is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 26 at Kaunoa.  "We'll make it," she said. "I have no doubt."

SECOND PHOTO: U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Roy Nakasone makes a ti leaf lei Friday at Kaunoa Senior Center. Nakasone said he shows up every year to make lei out of respect. "I'm a veteran and I want to remember my fallen comrades," Nakasone said. "I get emotional sometimes because all of them did not come home." The retired teacher said he often ends up helping people learn how to make lei during the volunteer sessions.