Hawaii woman celebrates a milestone: Her 100th birthday

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii has another centenarian: Betty Mitsuko Tokunaga!

She turned 100 on Sunday and celebrated with a party at the 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building in Mo’ili’ili.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1924 in Paia, Maui. She eventually moved to O’ahu and built a life with her husband, Mike Tokunaga, in Niu Valley. He has since passed, but is remembered for his time in the armed forces with the ‘Go For Broke’ Battalion.

Together they raised two daughters and one son. Over the years, their family grew to include seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, with another one on the way, family members said.

Affectionately called ‘Grandma Betty’ by her loved ones, she retired as a payroll clerk for the city’s transit department.

At her party Sunday, she spoke about what it was like growing up in her time.

“When I was young, I used to play games. I played even with the boys. Football, baseball, you know. When they were playing on the road, I just joined them. And they let me play too. So I played with the boys,” she said.

She added how she would also help her mother with daily household chores.

To reach her age, she also stayed active as much as she could. Family members said she loved going on daily walks around her neighborhood.

They added that Grandma Betty was the “authoritative figure and didn’t let anything slide.” While keeping the family together, she also had lots of aloha for those around her.

“All those who have encountered her knows that she took care of everyone like they were her own family and fed them,” family member Chanteyl Tuvale said.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.