It was a perfect day to celebrate with a wonderful lady – Mrs. Cecilia Blackfield. On Feb. 18, Palama Settlement’s board of directors, supporters, staff and kids helped Mrs. Blackfield celebrate her 100th birthday. As one of Palama’s biggest supporter, Mrs. Blackfield established the Leland Youth Activities Center, a safe and fun place for Palama’s drop-in kids to play, and created the Blackfield scholarship fund providing financial assistance for Palama’s youth to attend school.
Our dining hall was filled with festivities including handmade decorations from the Palama kids, traditional Hawaiian music and performances by the Palama youth. The fun-filled program included a special performance by 3-year old Micah Miyashiro, a fire-knife dance by Hale Motuapuaka (Punahou student and Blackfield scholarship recipient), and a “haka” performance by the Pakolea boys.
A highlight of the program included a special presentation of a star named after Mrs. Blackfield and the Palama kids reading their birthday messages. As Kayla Kenan (age 11) stated, “You’re shiny and beautiful like a real shooting star. We love you and happy birthday!”
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