Hanama`ulu Town Celebration

The Hanama`ulu Experience: Connections

Connections

January 4, 2005

Roses from Sister Dely and Brother Roy

Hanama`ulu Town Celebration E-mail: info@htcelebration.org (CLICK)

On Sep 21, 2010, at 8:48 PM, Ibanez, Bradford wrote:

Aloha,

My Name is Brad and I'm trying to find out where my Grandparents lived and worked in Kapaa, Kauai, as sugar plantation workers and family.  My Grandparents were Fructoso and Emilia Avilla (Abella).  I plan to visit Kapaa

in the near future to try and find any information on how folks lived and worked on the sugar plantation.  I'm hoping to even talk story with anyone who is left or can remember the ole plantation days. I remember I attended a re-union with some of the Kapaa families with my Mother once in Oahu, but I don't recall the name of the club from Kapaa Kauai.  Hope someone can help me find some historical information on my Grandparents and family who were born on Kauai.

Sincerely,

Brad Avilla Ibanez

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Rosalie @ 96-year's young! Photo by Rosalie's grandson Brian Johnson Scroll down to May 8, 2006, for Rosalie's photos as a child and at 90.

Happy 96th birthday, Rosalie! Rosalie Krueger was born in Hanama`ulu on August 30, 1913, to The Manuel Rapozo Family who moved to Kapaa when Rosalie was about 8. Manuel was the son of Joseph Freitas Rapozo Sr. and Thereza Ermelinda Cabral.  A resident of Carmel Valley, CA, for many years, Rosalie continues to live independently and walks to nearby Safeway daily to buy fresh vegetables.  A child of the `aina (land), she misses poi, and she makes it last when she gets some. A few years ago, Rosalie learned to knit so she can give scarves to the elderly.   A great-great grandmother many times over, Rosalie does not see herself as elderly! Raised a Kaua`i Catholic, Rosalie continues to go to church.  However, today her family asks her not if she went to church but where.  Blessed with many friends who worship at churches of various denominations, Rosalie goes with the first friend who offers her a ride.  Rosalie’s daughter Rosanna and her husband Robert Alsted of Danville, CA, say it well:  Rosalie “figures it is the same God no matter where.” Rosalie visits the East Coast twice a year, and her family hopes that with “luck and her continued exercises” she will be back home … Kauai, that is … for another visit to celebrate her 100th birthday. Happy 96th birthday, Rosalie!  May the good Lord continue to bless you with good health, contentment, and happiness. (Thank you, Robert and Rosanna, for the current info on Rosalie, and for Brian’s picture of her when the family celebrated her birthday on Sunday, August 30, 2009.  --- Catherine Lo) Send us an email

4/7/07 12:27 PM

I've visited the site a number of times since I stumbled on it a month or so ago. I had done a search on Wayne Jerv[e]s and got a hit on an email sent in by Eleanor Ibia highlighting the fact that Wayne along with Joey and Dick Vierra and Timothy Albao used to attend "Teen Town" on Friday nights at the Lutheran church.

The site has brought back so many great memories as well as names of so many friends from the past.

And yes, Eddie, this is your old classmate from Kauai High School days, Class of 1960.

Thank you so much!!!!

Dick Vierra

PS If possible, pass my email address on to Eleanor. I would love to touch base with her.
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April 7, 2007

Dear Richard:

I'm glad you found the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration website. Thank you for the encouraging subject line. [Keep Up The Great Work!!!!!!] I'm sending a cc of my reply to Eddie and to Eleanor. I'm sure they will be happy to get in touch with you.

HAPPY EASTER!

Cheers,

Catherine (Eleanor's sister)
CATHERINE LO
Historian/Webmaster

11/9/06 09:26 AM My thanks to all of you who have helped with the upkeep of Kalepa Cemetery. I happened on the Hanama'ulu Town Celebration website and saw the pictures of the cemetery. Up until now, I didn't know the actual name. My grandparents are buried there, and it's been years since I've seen it. It was actually very touching to see the pictures, especially since I no longer live on Kauai. On behalf of the Marquez family, I sincerely thank you. Cynthia Cezar McDonald (Hermenia Marquez Cezar's daughter) P.S. Hi Uncle Pat! (Ramelb) ---------------------------------------- November 9, 2006 Dear Cynthia: Greetings from Sunny Poipu! I knew your mother ... which leads me to the conclusion that you grew up in Koloa. I'm glad you visited the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration website. How did you happen to find the site? Thank you for taking time to write. I'll forward this correspondence to Angie Ramelb Green, in the hope that she will give your Uncle Pat your greeting. Eddie Sarita, chairman of the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration, is always happy to get appreciative word on the cemetery. I will share you e-mail with him as well. Don't worry, as a matter of policy, and respectful of privacy, I will delete your e-mail address in the forwarded messages. I hope you will visit the website again soon and often. Peace and aloha, Catherine Lo Historian/Webmaster HANAMA`ULU TOWN CELEBRATION

On Sep 20, 2006, at 5:18 PM, Steve Elvena wrote: Aloha, My name is Steve Elvena. I came over to Kauai for a visit with my brother Kevin, in May 2006. The reasons were, for a vacation, and to see where our relatives came to settle in the early years. Our main purpose was to find our relatives' grave site. We had received a lead from my Portuguese Godfather, about where a grave site was. It was near the town of Hanama'ulu. We had asked many people if they knew where a turn of the century cemetery was. We were staying at the Sheraton in Poipu Beach trying to figure out what to do next. We were talking story to the girls working there [in] customer service, and asked if they knew of an old cemetery in Hanama'ulu. They did not. But they had a co-worker who lived [in Hanama`ulu] and asked her. She had told her there was an old haunted cemetery there, and gave her directions for us. I told the workers that this was the one; I felt it. We then jumped in the car in search of the cemetery. Following her directions turn by turn, we got out of the car and went through the gate. This was it; we can both feel it. Then there it was, the cemetery....at first we thought it was the wrong one, because of all the Japanese markers. but just past that was a christian headstone. We started looking around and finally came to what we had been searching for...our relatives. Toribia Vasquez, she was our great grandmother. The grave right below hers, was her son, my great uncle. Coming to visit your [web] site and seeing the graves that we had just recently found make me feel very happy and proud. Much Mahalo for what you all have done and are continuing to do. For any upcoming celebrations I would like to thank all of you, and offer any assistance you may need. I will try to do my best to help all of you. Sincerely, Steve Elvena CLICK to see Toribia Vasquez's grave site. September 21, 2006 Hanama`ulu Town Celebration info@htcelebration.org wrote: [Attachment: Photo] IMG_4526.JPG Bernard Victorino of Fountain Valley, CA, at the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration Historical Booth on July 15, 2006. Photo by Karl Lo. Dear Steve: Thank you for writing. And thank you for your kind offer to the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration Committee. I hope you will visit the web site often. I will be posting the information on the 2007 celebration soon. Have you visited the CONNECTIONS page? I am glad you found the graves of your great grand- mother and great uncle at Kalepa Cemetery. Is Bernard Victorino your "Portuguese Godfather"? I visited with him at the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration. Seeing the photo of the grave of Toribia Vasquez in the web site folder, he told me that he knows Toribia's descendants. I thought, WHAT A SMALL WORLD! Your e-mail brings the matter full circle for me. If you would be so kind to tell me about the Vasquez family; where they originated in the Philippines; when they came to Hawaii; when the family went back to the Philippines; who stayed; where the descendants are today, etc. I will appreciate any information you can share with me. I would like the web site to reflect this detail in the Hanama`ulu experience. Mahalo and aloha, Catherine P.S. If you know Bernard Victorino, please forward his photo to him. Thank you. CATHERINE LO HISTORIAN/WEBMASTER HANAMA`ULU TOWN CELEBRATION At the Historical Booth A folder of the Web site caught Bernard Victorino's attention. September 21, 2006 Yep, that's my Uncle "Vic" Bernard. I haven't seen him in a couple years, but he looks good from the photo. I will get this to him somehow. He is still old school, and uses snail mail. My folks will also be really happy to see this. I will pass this on, and will get some information for you. Steve Elvena Simi Valley, Ca.

7/17/06 03:28 PM

Hi,

I'm looking for Sonny Gerardo whom I believe is from your town. We were classmates at the UH in the early 70's and became good friends. I moved to the mainland after after college but I've lost track of Sonny several years ago and would love to know if you have his email address. Please forward this message to Sonny if you know.

Regards,
Ed Vergara
----------------
7/17/2006 at 4:11 PM

Aloha!
I have an old e-mail address of Sonny Gerardo. I'll forward your e-mail to him in the hope that the address is current and your classmate and good friend will contact you.

Cheers,
Catherine Lo
Historian/Webmaster
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
7/17/06

Catherine,
Mahalo. I think he lives in Koloa as well.

Ed
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From: Tripod Mailer <builder@tripod.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:12:02 -0400
To: <info@htcelebration.org>
Subject: Hanama`ulu Town Celebration Guestbook

name: joseph palazzolo
mailingaddress: kapaa hi. 96746
comment: ALOHA. WE WILL BE THERE. MAHALO.

7/10/06 09:17 PM name: Leonard & Janine Rapozo Kaneohe, HI 96744 comment: Would you please forward my email address to Robert Alsted? After viewing his photosite, I found several names on there that are similar to our family tree. We are currently working on the tree-but are unable to locate many 'branches. I was hoping his family and ours is one and the same!! Thanks. --------------------------- Monday, July 10, 2006 10:09 PM Aloha, Leonard & Janine: I am glad you found the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration Web site. May I ask how you found it? I would be glad to forward your e-mail address to Robert Alsted. And Iwish you the best in your genealogical search. Cheers, Catherine Lo Historian/Webmaster Hanama`ulu Town Celebration -------------------------------------- 7/10/06 10:12 PM Thank you so much, Catherine. Would you be able to tell me a little about William Neil Rapozo? We also have a William Rapozo in our family tree. I have attached a copy of the family tree we are currently working on; who knows you may know someone on there!! Thanks again, Leonard and Janine --------------------------------------- July 10, 2006 10:46 PM To: Leonard & Janine Rapozo William Neil Rapozo is the great-grandson of Joseph Freitas Rapozo and Thereza Ermelinda who also came from the Azores in September 1882. Hisparents were Joseph Rapozo Jr. (3rd generation) and Gloria Sa. Looking at your document, I believe Joseph Freitas Rapozo and Manuel Rapozo Sr. maybe related, having come from the same place and in all likelihood on the same ship (S.S. Hansa).* Joseph Freitas Rapozo and his sons, however, all worked for Lihue Plantation and lived and worked either in Lihue or at Hanama`ulu. *Your doc says EANSA. My information says HANSA. We have to check which is correct. Catherine -------------------------------------- Jul 11, 2006, at 8:37 PM Catherine, You were correct, the ship name was Hansa. I searched it on the Internet, and there was no ship named Eansa. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Janine Rapozo ------------------------------------ Tuesday, July 11, 2006 9:50 PM Janine: Thank you for the information. Now we know for sure. I trust Robert Alsted has e-mailed you. I did not have time to go into details last night, but I wanted to tell you that the Rapozo family that Robert Alsted married into had a reunion on Oahu in June. Robert and his wife Rosanna (nee: Rapozo Krueger) came to Kauai after the reunion and we had the pleasure of visiting with them at our home in Poipu. They are very nice people, and I hope you and Robert can exchange genealogical info. Aloha, Catherine ----------------------------- Catherine, Thanks so much for doing this for me! It's such a big help. I'm not sure if the two families are related, but I know one of the Aunties did mention his past weekend that there was a Rapozo Family reunion that she forgot to tell everyone about (she's 83 yrs old). And she doesn't remember how she heard about it. It's hard to get credible information out of the only 2 women alive from that time (83 yrs & 90 yrs), so that's why we're trying to get the information elsewhere. My father (who lives on Kauai) told me that there was just a Rapozo that passed away on Kauai this past week, and when I looked at the obit, lo and behold, they actually were one of the missing pieces from our family tree. Strange huh? What's stranger is that there is another Leonard and Janine Rapozo Jr. living on Kauai. I have gotten strange looks at the supermarket and banks when visiting Kauai-anytime. I have to give identification when they see my name. Apparently this Leonard Rapozo that lives on Kauai works for Waterworks, and knows a lot of people and he happened to have married a "Janine." Small world. Wouldn't that be something-if they ended up in the same family? Thank you though. He hasn't responded yet to me, but I'm sure he will. Janine *************************************************

Jun 25, 2006, at 1:55 PM

name: Richard Agpaoa
comment: We are looking for relatives who came from Ilocos Norte, PI. Father, Pedro Orque Agpaoa.
--------------------------------
From: info@htcelebration.org
Date: June 25, 2006 2:49:57 PM HST

Dear Richard:

If you live in Hawaii, I suggest you start contacting all the Agpaoas listed in the telephone directories. Regrettably, the Agpaoas we know are not from Ilocos Norte. You may also want to search in google.com.

I'll post your inquiry on the website in the hope that you get some responses. In the meantime, check the telephone directories. Good luck!

Aloha,
Catherine Lo

P.S. As a rule, we don't post e-mail and other addresses on the website. Readers who have information for Richard may use the website e-mail address, and the webmaster will forward the information to Richard. MAHALO.
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Mon., 8 May 2006
From: Robert Alsted
Address: Danville, CA

Aloha kakahiaki Catherine ...

The Internet is magical and at times frustrating since we have come to rely on it so much.

You are welcome to use my posts ... mahalo for asking.

I am attaching a couple of photos that you are also welcome to use if you have an interest and spot ... both are of my mother-in-law, Rosalie Raposa Krueger
(somewhere Raposa was changed from Rapozo) who is the daughter of Manual, son of Jose ...

A point of interest for you is that while Rosalie was born in Kapaa, as you will note, the attached references (what I am still learning) is either her home
in Hanamaulu or that of her grandfather's - Jose (who the reunion is honoring and was the first of this group to land in Kaua'i in 1882) ... In the Hanamaulu photo,
Rosalie is on the right at about 8 or 9 and then her b-day photo in Monterey, CA at 90 ... this year she is
93 and still living on her own with not enough time
each day for her activities!

Manual had some cane land either outside of Kapaa (homestead area) or Hanamaulu but fairly sure Jose
lived and grew wine with a Hanamaulu address ...

On our trip in June I am anxious to visit the museum in Lihue to see if they have any updated records as well
as the historical group in Kapaa so I might be able to
get a better understanding on all of this ...

Be well,
Robert

Rosalie Raposa, far right, with sister & friend Photo: Robert Alsted | Danville, CA Rosalie Raposa Krueger of Monterey, CA @ 90. Photo: Robert Alsted | Danville, CA Webmaster's Note: The photo of the three children above, taken in 1921 or 1922 in front of a home on the slope of Kalepa, shows Daisy (Theresa) Raposa on the left, and friend May Donolson in the center. With grapes growing and with wine being made, the Portuguese housing section at Hanama`ulu was called "Punchbowl."

4/4/06 7:33 PM 

on 3/7/06 6:15 AM,
name: Jeniffer
comment: A great site where one can enjoy the thought of a great mind long departed. Cheers for the good work!

March 7
Dear Jeniffer:
Thank you for your encouraging comment. We appreciate your taking time to sign the guestbook. We hope you visit again soon and often.

Cheers and Blessings,
Catherine Lo
Webmaster
Poetry Website: www.htcelebration.org./poemswithoutborders

on 3/6/06 10:32 AM

name: Liza
comment: Your site is the best. I love your humour, layout, design and everything!

March 7

Aloha, Liza:
Thank you for taking time to sign the guestbook. We appreciate your kind comments. We also seek suggestions, so if you have any, please let us know. We hope you will visit the website again soon and often.

Cheers and Blessings,
Catherine Lo
Webmaster
Poetry Website: http[://www.htcelebration.org/poemswithoutborders

3/4/06
Name: Eugene Bustillos
Address: Silver City, New Mexico
Comment: Intrigued

Dear Eugene:
It's good to hear from you again. You signed the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration Guestbook on September 18, 2004, and yours was one of the first entries so the entry is at the bottom of the guestbook page. I see you have moved from North Hollywood.

What in the website intrigues you?

I hope you visit the site again soon.

Aloha,
Catherine Lo,
Webmaster
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Date: Thursday, January 6, 2005 11:59 AM
Subject: A new entry in your guestbook #101893

Name: Wayne Jerves
City: Saratoga, CA
Homepage URL: 'www.moorheadfamily.com'

'My daughter put my name in a Google search and up came this site! So we have all been excited reading the pages. I hope to see more from people I remember. I enjoyed reading Jeff Agad[e]r's story. It brought back many memories -like the lane from our ho[u]ses to the main road, playing kick-tin in the service road behind our house, cokes at Hanamaulu Cafe, on and on. I married a native Californian (34 years now), and have 3 daughters. Worked for IBM after getting my degree. I'm on the Board of Trustees at the U. of San Francisco. I have so many memories I'd like to share - I'll e-mail them instead of taking up all this space! We all go to Kauai very often!'
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Date: Thursday, January 6, 2005 11:16 PM
Subject: Thank you for signing the guestbook

Dear Wayne:

Your entry in the guestbook is very refreshing. Thank you for taking the time to tell us of your visit to the website. And do share your memories of Hanama`ulu; I'd be glad to post your piece or pieces. We hope you and your family will visit www.htcelebration.org/ often. And tell your friends with Kauai/Hawaii connections about the website.

Aloha,
Catherine Lo
Website Builder

12/19/05 11:25 PM

name: Federico Agnir
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

comment: Congratulations to the organizers of the celebration. I am very impressed with the breadth and depth of the coverage. I commend you all especially my dear friend and high school classmate Catherine Lo (historian and webmaster) and her huband Karl (official photographer) who poured their heart and soul into the project, along with everybody else.

12/19/05 9:17 AM

name: Teresita A. Sotelo
Honolulu, HI 96817

comment: Very impressive and nice job. I enjoyed reading your website. This reminds me of my grandfather (Felipe Agpaoa) who came to Kauai in 1927. Although I never saw him personally, he was a great grandfather to me because he brought us to Hawaii to have a better life. He is always remembered and visited whenever we come to Kauai. He lived in Mana and worked for Kekaha Sugar Plantation. He passed away when he was 74 years of age, after my father and my aunt came to join and live with him but they were unsuccessful to get his passion and care, so they moved to Hanamaulu to live with my other aunt who had an extra room in the back of their house.

My father (Maximo Agpaoa) started to petition his family in 1974, when my mother and one of my older sisters came and they worked for Lihue Plantation until it closed. My two younger brothers and I came next in 1975, then my other older sister and the youngest sister came in 1976. We miss our grandfather so much but we always give him thanks and praises for what we are right now. Because of him we were able to come to Hawaii and have a better life for our next generations to come.

Teresita Agpaoa Sotelo
***********************************************************

11/24/05 7:12 AM
name: Cynthia Soto (Canales)
Ontario, CA 91761

comment: Hi,
I was born on Kauai, but raised on Oahu, but now live on the mainland in California. I am enjoying reading the information on your website. Brings back whatever memories I had living on the plantation as a little girl.

My parents are Regino & Buena Canales (mom's maiden name, Cabinatan), my dad passing away in 1983. My mom lives on Oahu, and I'm sure she doesn't know much what's going on in Kauai (I think).

I see one of my cousin's message here. I sure would love to have her contact me (Ruth [Claridad] Barcenilla).

Blessings and much work went into your lovely website...I truly appreciate all the information here of the people and plantation life.

Cynthia (Canales) Soto

**************************
Nov. 25, 2005

Dear Cynthia:

It's a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for taking time to sign the website guestbook. And thank you for your appreciative comments. I hope you visit the website often. Please tell me how you happen to find the site.

I forwarded your e-mail to Ruth. I hope you will hear from her soon. It was a pleasure meeting either Ruth or Barbara at the celebration. I know I did not meet both of them.

Best wishes for a Joyous Christmas Season.

Cheers and Blessings,
Catherine Lo
Historian and Webmaster
Hanama`ulu Town Celebration

"Hanama`ulu Talk Story," a documentary by Kaua`i Historical Society on the Hanama`ulu Town Celebration, was aired over Ho'ike Kaua`i Community Television on Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 24 & 25, and on Wednesday & Thursday, Sept. 28 & 29. Produced by Judith Thomson of Jet Star Productions, the documentary is 58:12-minute long. It included the end of the parade, including a couple of the Grand Marshal convertibles as they approached Peter Rayno Park, the program at the Saturday Evening Gathering and talk story by William Neil Rapozo, Adele Goias Badoyen, Carol Macadangdang Trokey, and Catherine Pascual Lo. Also included are photos and clippings from the historical display, and photos of the Whiz Kids of Hanama`ulu from the souvenir booklet.

9/19/05 8:42 AM

name: Oscar Gervacio
comment: Do you guys perform at parties?
------------
Aloha, Oscar:

Thank you for taking time to sign the guestbook. We are flattered by your question. What kind of performance are we talking about? And which town or city do you call "home"?

Cheers,
Catherine Lo, Webmaster
Hanama`ulu Town Celebration
------------------------

8/24/05
name: Carol Macadangdang Trokey
Antioch, CA
comment: The Hanamaulu Town Celebration was FANTASTIC!!!! Mike and I were there on both days and enjoyed all the festivities, good food, and best of all good friends.

Our thank you goes to all of you for putting on an "A+" celebration. All your hard work was well worth it and it was enjoyable to see the smiles on the grand marshals' faces as they were honored in the parade.

Thank you again for a beautiful and wonderful celebration.

We enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures that were on the historical table. "What a great great Collection"! The committee members have put in countless hours and there's not enough words to express the appreciation for all the hard work. Just watching all the smiles and listening to all the reminiscing was so enjoyable...we're so proud to be part of Hanamaulu's history.

Comments on the orange Guestbook
by relatives and friends
who were at the celebration:

Excellent celebration! -- George & Leimomi (Morikawa) Cummings, Anahola

I ... SALUTE the organizers/committee for your creativity, hardwork, dedication ... Mahalo to all of you. Make it every year to renew, rebuild friendship. -- Aida Pascual, Lihue

Fantastic job on everything . -- Rose Carvalho, Lihue

A magnificent event! Mahalo to organizers. -- JoAnn Yukimura, Kilauea

Job very well done .....hats off to the Hanamaulu Ohana. -- Stanley & Connie Amorin, Lihue

Great job! We love it! -- Clay & Doreen Carvalho

Wonderful; thank you for the work! -- Abelina Madrid Shaw, [Honolulu]

Great Day! -- Marsha Ray, San Anselmo, CA

Wonderful to be a part of history! -- Rose Shadduck, San Anselmo, CA

Aloha, Hanamaulu, & Happy Memories! -- Dennis Lo, [Kalaheo]

Thank you for a wonderful sharing of Hanamaulu! -- Grace Takabayashi, [Omao]

Great Job. Good Memories. -- Jose A. Madrid, Hanamaulu

Whiz Kid #25. -- Pat Ramelb, [Hanamaulu]