Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 6, 1 June 2005 — Molokaʻi kūpuna Judy Caparida and Ruth Manu are everyday angels [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Molokaʻi kūpuna Judy Caparida and Ruth Manu are everyday angels

Editor's note: Trustees Colette Maehaāo and Oswald Stender offer their eolunm space this month to Moloka'i Island Times writer Sarah Amador, who wrote a wonderful pieee on kūpuna sisters Judy Caparida and Ruth Manu and their aloha for Moloka'i's people. When we think of angels, the image of some angel softly singing praises from on high might be called to mind. We may not think of Archangel Miehael, who most often appeared battling evil with a shield and an unsheathed sword in his hand. But the fact remains, when we really study the stars of angeldom, we know they're the ones to be reckoned with. They instill awe and respect, and anyone wise would think twice before messing with those they protect. Judy Caparida, 64, and and her sister Ruth Manu, 60, are these types of angels. They seem to be everywhere, ever-watchful and protective over what they eall theirs: Moloka'i, the children of Moloka'i, and anyone who lives here. Caparida is a board member of the Moloka'i Health Center and also of Hui Kāko'o, an organization whieh works to support Hawaiian homesteaders. Both Caparida and Manu sit on the Kūpuna Advisory Council, whieh lends advice and support to the Kūpuna - Nā Mākua 'Ohana Project. This project's goal is to reach out to children that need help and get their families involved in partnership with the schools.

Manu serves on the Student Community Council (S.C.C.) at Moloka'i High School, and Caparida serves on the S.C.C. at Moloka'i Intermediate School. They were put in those positions by the parents and students of Moloka'i. "They know we stand up for the needs of our kids," Caparida explained. "We let people know the truth." Both Caparida and Manu worked hard for the separation of Moloka'i Intermediate and Moloka'i High School. According to Caparida, the separation has greatly benefited the students, as the number of fights and teen pregnancies have gone down. Caparida and Manu also work with the Maui Food Bank and the Maui Eeonomie Opportunity Program in helping to deliver food to the kūpuna out on the East End. They also are part of the Moloka'i Fishery Management, whieh helps protect fishing rights. Both women are grandmothers. Caparida has 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Manu has 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. "All my children went to college," Caparida said. "Not because we were rich, but because we had resources. And now we're helping others, so they ean be bosses one day. We're 'in' for anything that concerns the needs of our kid ... water, fluoride, whatever." Right now, Caparida and Manu are circulating a petition protesting the doubling of registration fees by Moloka'i Community College (MCC). The college proposes to double them again in another year's time. Caparida

and Manu have already collected over a thousand signatures. Caparida and Manu shake their heads in frustration when they think of all the students that they encourage to go to college, but won't be able to afford the new fees. "We tell the students: do well in school, work hard, go and get their diplomas. But then they eome out of school, and what is MCC going to do for them?" Caparida said. "We're going to have a beautiful building with no students." When talking about the organizations they are a part of, these ladies don't hold back. They speak with one loud voice, one determined mind. They finish eaeh other's sentences, and seem to know what the other will say before she says it. "We're in their face," Caparida said. "We speak up at every meeting," Manu added. "If you don't say anything, they don't care," Caparida said. "They just run you over," Manu finished. "If we're going to do something, our dad says to us, do it with all your heart, mind, and strength," Caparida said. "Because God doesn't sleep, and He sees everything you do, and He will bless you. We do what the Bible says, and we reap the blessings. I have the peaee, I have the joy, that we can't buy with money." Do they ever get tired? Yes, both Caparida and Manu admit. "We are busy," Caparida said. "We cannot do it on our own strength. So we always ask the Lord to help us, help our people. And then, poof! He energizes you and

keeps you going. God is first in our life, and we try to please Him." "God is our Boss," Manu added. "Jesus blesses us everyday." As clear as the message Caparida and Manu send to the students of Moloka'i, the message they send to the parents is equally clear. "We, the kūpuna, ask our parents of Moloka'i to eome and get involved with your children in support of their education. They need you," Caparida said. "We're there for them, but we still need you for support, to get quality education for them. Encourage them, because they need more than a diploma." "They need the love from their parents," Manu added. "They need to know we all love them," Caparida said, "and support them, and want to see them be bosses one day. We all need eaeh other." Manu and Caparida encourage parents to look at the schools as their school, to eome and have luneh with their children, to create a real parent presence there. As mueh as these two women are fighters and protectors of Moloka'i, they are equally full of thankfulness and love. "We want to thank our community, our schools, and all the agencies and businesses that support us in all of our projects, programs, and petitions," Caparida said. "We love Moloka'i, because God blesses us with everything we are surrounded with, from the mountains to the oeean to whatever comes from the land."

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Colette Machado I

Trustee, Moloka'i and Lana'i