9 elderly siblings still enjoy life, each other’s company

Nine siblings, ages 77 to 93, are still alive, have remained close over the years and love to have fun together. They are Shizuko Nakamoto, 93; James Onaga, 91; Lillian Nakanishi, 89; Sumiko Higa, 87; Betty Chang, 85; Tomiko Higa, 83; Gayle Gilbert, 81; Jayne Teruya, 79; and Amy Matano, 77. They thoroughly enjoy life, get together regularly and even had a sleepover several years ago at Amy’s house. The eldest, Shizuko, is currently visiting from Issaquah, Wash. Jayne, who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., will be here April 9 through 20. Their mom was Goze Ahagon, a picture bride from Okinawa whose first marriage was to Sukeushi Onaga, a Maui plantation worker. Her second was to Jiro Yamashiro, also of Maui, a plantation luna who became an unlicensed dentist.

You’d think it must have been tough for James, the only boy, growing up in a family with eight sisters. But no, says niece Carol Higa Graff, "they treated him like a king." Carol’s mom, Amy, agreed. "We respected him. He worked really hard to provide support," she said. But they laughed, commenting on how he may say that he never had a chance to talk. Both Amy and Carol say the families enjoy having fun together. The siblings love to sing hapa-haole songs. "Maui Girl" is a favorite, as Maui is where they were born. Another must is "Koko Ni Sa Chi Ari" ("My Happiness"). Reunions are scheduled every other year, with family T-shirts worn. Next reunion is scheduled in 2015 …

FINALLY GOT around to seeing "Dallas Buyers Club" on Sunday, and it’s easy to see why Matthew McConaughey won the best actor Oscar at the Academy Awards. He is terrific in the picture. It’s based on a true story and is done extremely well. Jared Leto, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as a transgender woman with AIDS, and Jennifer Garner as a doctor are also outstanding. But the picture belongs to McConaughey, who lost nearly 50 pounds to play the role of a tough cowboy who becomes an AIDS patient after having unprotected sex with a female hooker and is given 30 days to live. But he lives seven more years after using and selling drugs that were not approved in the U.S. …

HAPPY BEECK DAY: Charlie Beeck, owner of Tropical Roofing and Raingutters and Tropical Plumbing and Bath, threw his 66th-birthday party for some 30 people Saturday night at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. Attending were his special friend Olivia Kwong, daughters Kealoha and Lei Beeck, calabash daughter Erica Monk, fellow boater Charlie Meyer, prime-rib chef Eric Yama­gu­chi, Richard and Rosaline Emory, Reiko Marino and Kyle Drake. Wolfgang’s GM Bill Nickerson saw that everything moved smoothly … Surfers on Hawaii’s big waves were among subjects filmed by drones on "60 Minutes" Sunday night …

Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.