The Sacred Hearts Academy honorees, from left, Suzanne Chong Kee, Momi Kaanoi, Rita Gora, Elizabeth Ho, Karen Dick-Kung and head of school Betty White. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Hearts Academy)
A record 900 people attended Sacred Hearts Academy’s annual scholarship fund gala Oct. 18 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel at which five illustrious graduates were honored.
The honorees were Suzanne Dods Chong Kee, Elizabeth Chong Ho, Dr. Momi Kaanoi, Rita Makini Gora and Karen Ruth Dick-Kung.
Suzanne Dods Chong Kee, class of 1962, grew up with six siblings, including brother Walter Dods Jr., as the eldest daughter of Walter and Mildred Dods.
She began her professional career in 1964 at Hawaiian Airlines, where today she manages the scheduling of Hawaiian’s wide-body planes and charter flights from the Mainland, South Pacific and Asia. She was named employee of the year in 2006.
Suzanne and husband Dennis Chong Kee have three children.
Elizabeth Chong Ho, class of 1957, was a 13-year Academy student. As a second grader, she joined two freshmen to assist the famous artist John Charlot in painting a mural in tempera in the school’s auditorium. In fifth grade, she played the organ for the children’s choir, directed by Hedwig von Trapp of the famous von Trapp family portrayed in “The Sound of Music.”
Elizabeth was the first woman from Sacred Hearts to enroll in the College of Engineering and completed a master’s degree in music and fine arts. She and her late husband Dr. Edgar Ho have five children.
Dr. Momi Kaanoi, class of 1987, is a third generation graduate of the Academy. She attended the University of Portland and received a bachelor of science in biology. She then attended the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu and became a family medicine physician. She also completed a two-year faculty development fellowship with emphasis in teaching and research.
Dr. Kaanoi is married to Dr. Neal Palafox. She is the mother of four young children and three step children.
Rita Makini Gora, class of 1946, and her family have deep roots in Hawaii’s Catholic community. Her grandfather, Thomas K. Aiu donated a portion of the land to build St. Michael Church in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Her mother volunteered at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki for several decades.
Throughout her life, Rita has remained dedicated to the church. She served as secretary for the Kalihi Orphanage at St. Anthony’s Home and volunteered as a catechism teacher and eucharistic minister.
Rita and husband, Francis Gora, raised eight children. Her five daughters were 13-year students at Sacred Hearts.
Karen Ruth Dick-Kung, class of 1983, earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at Hawaii Pacific University. She works with the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu where she is the safe environment coordinator.
Karen and husband Francis Kung are the proud parents of Karring, a 13 year graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy
Over the past 17 years, the annual Sacred Hearts Academy gala has raised $1.5 million for scholarships benefiting 30 percent of Academy students.
