From left, Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, OSF, District Master Lito Alvarez, Woman’s Auxiliary chair Mandy Thronas-Brown, Knights John Fielding, Marvin Cervantes, Joe Rayray, Larry Gonzales and Robert Thomas and Woman’s Auxiliary members Titi Ricafort and Jocelyn Tamashiro. (Courtesy photo)
By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
On Oct. 13, 179 Knights of Columbus, their families, clergy and religious gathered at the Okinawan Cultural Center in Waipio for their annual Columbus Day dinner and awards ceremony.
The evening began with an opening prayer by state chaplain Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, the presentation of the national and state flags by the Fourth Degree Color Corps and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
After dinner, Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities Davilyn Ah Chick presented special awards to the Knights of the District of Hawaii Fourth (Patriotic) Degree for transporting the mortal remains of St. Marianne Cope from the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace to the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa for a Mass and reception and back again to the cathedral where she remains interred. The District of Hawaii also provided a Fourth Degree Honor Guard for the Mass.
The members of the Woman’s Auxiliary were also honored for making the centerpieces for the reception.
The District of Hawaii Fourth Degree and the Woman’s Auxiliary received engraved acrylic crosses and each member of the groups was given the book “A Walk with St. Marianne Cope” co-authored by Sister Davilyn as a token of appreciation.
District Master Lito Alvarez presented the following District of Hawaii Fourth Degree Awards:
- District Friar of the Year: Father Boniface Sakala of St. Damien Assembly 3221
- Star Assembly Award: St. Damien Assembly 3221 and Kamiano Assembly 3894
- Most Active Honor Guard: Bishop Louis Maigret Assembly 1577
- Honor Guard of the Year: Knight Larry Gonzales of Bishop Louis Maigret Assembly 1577
- Largest percentage of membership intake: Helio-Apostle of Maui Assembly 2290
- Largest membership intake: St. Damien Assembly 3221
State Senator Mike Gabbard presented a Hawaii State Senate honorary certificate to Chuck Furr for his 68 years of exemplary service to the Knights.
Immediate past State Deputy Ryan K. Brown announced the following Hawaii State Council and Supreme Council awards which were presented by State Deputy Randy Tom:
- Council of the Year: St. John the Evangelist Council 14663
- Knight of the Year: John Fielding of Our Lady of Peace Council 5000
- Lady of the Year: All members of the Woman’s Auxiliary
- Grand Knight of the Year: Patrick Guzman of St. John the Evangelist Council 14663
- District Deputy of the Year: Lito Alvarez of St. Jude Council 12733
- State Officer of the Year: Chuck Furr of Bishop Stephen Alencastre Council 6307
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Cicero and Ana Seisdedos of St. John the Baptist Council 16109
- The Supreme Council gave the following awards to these councils:
- Star Council Award for excellence in membership recruitment, council programming and insurance promotion: Councils 6307, 6734, 10475, 11743, 12045, 12733, 13227, 14663, 16741, 17042 and 18025.
- Father Michael McGivney Award for excellence in membership recruitment: Councils 6906, 15952, 16002 and 16109.
- Columbian Award for excellence in council programming: Councils 14620 and 15124.
- Founders Award for excellence in insurance promotion: Councils 6302, 6906, 7156, 8578, 10190, 11485, 11636, 12935, 13663, 14105, 14620, 15124, 15594, 15774, 15952, 16002, 16109, 16267, 16414, 17802.
The evening ended with a closing prayer by the rector of the cathedral and chaplain of Our Lady of Peace Council 5000, Father Pascual G. Abaya IV.