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.
Mayor Richard Bissen recognizes Lolita Bucaneg and Reynaldo De Leon, both 80 years old, at the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club Older Americans Luncheon on May 21 at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.
Bucaneg, 80, was born on Jan. 2, 1945, in the Philippines and immigrated to
Oahu 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 Waimanalo Elementary.
Bucaneg moved to Maui in July 1980 and taught ESL at Lahaina Intermediate
and Princess Nahienaena Elementary until her retirement in June 2010. She
also worked as a food and beverage cashier at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort
& Spa.
The Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizen Club gathered at MEO for its annual Older American Luncheon.
De Leon was born in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 30, 1945, and graduated
from Burbank High School. His route to Hawai`i 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.
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Sadang provided the music for the event.
Club President Hedy Udarbe and May birthday celebrant Elizabeth Whitehead.
