Non‑Discrimination Policy
Resident Shares Talent with Senator Hirono
Posted March 01, 2017
Hale Makua residents and Adult Day Health clients recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Senator Mazie Hirono. Among them was the talented Olive Silva who presented the Senator with a rose corsage she handmade out of ti leaf, pictured above, which she says is one of her “many passions.”
Olive began coming to Hale Makua Health Services as a Day Health Client, and eventually moved in to our long-term care program. She is a lively 94 year old with quite a talented history. A black belt in aikido, Olive fondly reminisces about her time teaching aikido to officers of the Maui Police Department while in her thirties. “It was a very enjoyable time in my life, but that was many years ago and now I just enjoy the memory,” said Olive. In 2013 Maui-Ki Aikido honored Olive as the "longest-training sensei" as part of their 60th anniversary celebration. She also enjoys sewing, playing mahjong, and lei-making. In fact, Mayor Alan Arakawa recognized Olive for her lei-making skills declaring September 16, 2005 as Aunty Olive Silva Day.
Olive and other residents were delighted to have an opportunity to talk story with Senator Hirono about their heritage, history and the importance of our aging community on Maui. To see more photos of the Senator’s visit click here.