Posted on: Monday, May 5, 2008
MOMS
Inspiring moms share spotlight
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe, second from left, was named Mom of the Year yesterday at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Web site HawaiiMoms.com, which was also celebrating its first anniversary.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
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WEEKLY AWARDS
Know an oustanding mom? Nominate her to be a Mom of the Week; go to www.HawaiiMoms.com to find out how.
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Moms work at home organizing the family. They work outside the home running successful corporations.
What pulls them together is the challenge of being a mother. It's a humbling experience, but one, moms say, that is most rewarding.
Yesterday, The Honolulu Advertiser's HawaiiMoms.com and McDonald's of Hawai'i celebrated the Mom of the Year award. Ten finalists were chosen from 43 Moms of the Week, a feature on an Advertiser-sponsored Web site dedicated to mothers around the state.
Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe was chosen the 2008 Mom of the Year in an online vote.
"I feel a big responsibility on my shoulders representing all the other moms," Hata-Watanabe said. "There are so many moms who accomplish so many things."
The finalists are like a who's who in the mommy business.
Meet Barbara Forsyth, 33, of Kaimuki; Bennette Misalucha Evangelista, 47, of 'Aiea; Hata-Watanabe, 36, of Leeward O'ahu; Euleen Bell, 45, of Hawai'i Kai; Herberlene Kahumoku, 55, of Kane'ohe; Joslyn Chapman McLaughlin, 58, of Kailua; Kristeen Yasue, 41, of Hawai'i Kai; Magali Sunderland, 51, of Lower 'Alewa Heights; Theresa Mae Suluoleava Ellis, 36, of Kalihi Valley; and Kathleen Suzuki, 53, of Wailuku, Maui.
Each has a story to tell.
Forsyth moved to Hawai'i two years ago from New York City, and now lives in Kaimuki. She organized and runs a local Stroller Strides franchise that is for moms of babies and toddlers who want to exercise and socialize. A former antique and arts specialist, Forsyth volunteers with ARTafterDARK, at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
"Two years ago I didn't know anyone here and I feel so honored," Forsyth said.
Evangelista was named the 2007 Mother of the Year by the Hawai'i Association of American Mothers and is a mother of two children. She is the vice president and regional director for government and community relations at Actus Lend Lease. She's a regent at Chaminade University, first vice president for the Girl Scouts of Hawai'i and director of the O'ahu Transit Services.
"Motherhood is what defines me," she said. "Motherhood unites us and binds us."
Hata-Watanabe owns and operates The O Lounge, an upscale bar that specializes in corporate and private events. Most of the business's profits, however, are donated to the various groups that Hata-Watanabe volunteers for. The club sponsors an annual fashion event to benefit charities. Hata-Watanabe is on the board of directors for the YWCA and the Manoa Valley Theatre. She's a spokeswoman for the National Kidney Foundation and the Honolulu chapter chairwoman for the Christmas Wish Program.
"My son is the reason I'm here today," Hata-Watanabe said. "These are the 10 most inspirational women sitting right here."
Bell is the mother of two sons, 18 and 20. Despite surgery to remove a rare malignant tumor from her scalp in 2005, she spends as much time as she can watching her sons play sports.
"I hope my story and my life will encourage other women to press forward," Bell said. "It was good for me to go on the Web site where I can feel the hearts of so many women."
Kahumoku is the mother of five children — two biological and three adopted — and has four grandchildren. All of them live with Kahumoku. Kahumoku adopted the three children after her mother-in-law died of leukemia and left them behind.
"I'm so grateful to have my family here today," Kahumoku said. "Everyone does a wonderful job and we can share it with the world."
McLaughlin is the unofficial matriarch of HawaiiMoms.com with a screen name of GRAMJ. She is the mother of five grown children and has five grandchildren.
"The Web site brings moms of all ages together," McLaughlin said. "Thank you for letting me be a part of your family."
Yasue is the mother of three children; the youngest was born at 24 weeks and was just 1 pound, 4 ounces. She spent 122 days in the neonatal clinic where Yasue made daily visits and still kept up with her other two children.
"It was a tough ride," Yasue said. "But my daughter is here and she's beautiful."
Sunderland has seven adopted children ranging in age from 7 to 14 and a 21-year-old stepson. In addition to ballet lessons, gymnastics, soccer and homework, Sunderland formed a nonprofit group called Imi 'Ike — Native Hawaiian Tutorial, a program for special-education youth in foster care, which serves 36 Native Hawaiians.
"It's a privilege to be here today, to be a part of this," she said.
Ellis has five children, ages 2 to 13. As a teacher at Farrington High School, Ellis just received the Oceanic Cable Outstanding Educator Award for the 2007-08 school year.
"All the moms deserve something," Ellis said. "Motherhood is such a wonderful thing."
Suzuki is the mother of two grown children and served as a Cub Scout leader and team mom for her children's soccer teams.
"I'm really blessed with having a wonderful family who have brought me so much joy," she said.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
