David Walker and Nancy Fuertes Fuller (front row) were named Kaua'i's 2012 Outstanding Older Americans. The other nominees shown in the back row (L to R) are: Joanne Watanabe; Lorin Wade; Shirley Matsuo; John Lydgate; Kay Hill; Martina Brun; Dorothy Brierley; and Florencia Balualua.
By Staff Reports
(Kaua’i)– Kôloa resident Nancy Fuertes Fuller and David Walker, of Waimea, today were named Kaua’i’s 2012 Outstanding Older Americans.
The announcement was made at the 46th annual Older American Awards Ceremony held at the Kaua’i Beach Resort.
The awardees were selected from a field of 10 nominees including: Florencia Balualua; Dorothy Brierley; Martina Brun; Fuller; Kay Hill; John Lydgate; Shirley Matsuo; Lorin Wade; Walker; and Joanne Watanabe.
Fuller, a former community service worker for the County of Kaua’i, was nominated by Priscilla Badua.
Since her retirement, Fuller has served as a volunteer for many organizations, including: Kaua’i Hospice; state Department of Health; American Cancer Society; and the West Kaua’i United Methodist Church.
During her “spare” time, Fuller creates beautiful flower leis and over the years has won numerous awards in the Kaua’i Museum’s lei contests. Some of Fuller’s designs have graced pa’u units in the annual Kamehameha Day Parade as well as May Day princesses, who honed their lei-making skills under Fuller’s guidance, and have gone on to create their own designs.
Fuller has also been a substitute health aide for the state Department of Education since 2007.
Walker was nominated for an Older American award by two people Mark Nellis and Basilio Fuertes, Jr.
A retired fire fighter, Walker has volunteered his time with many organizations, including: the West Kaua’i Business and Professional Association, Waimea High School track team, Rotary Club of West Kaua’i, and the Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center.
Walker is a strong proponent of youth sports, community involvement, and CPR education. He has coached soccer and track teams, helped to organize the annual Waimea Town Celebration and Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade, and coordinated the Captain Cook Caper run.
Walker and Fuller will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony at the State Capitol on May 18.