Hawaii couple spreads aloha to care homes through music

Honolulu (KHON2) — From local to Hawaiian — even Japanese!

Gordon and Sandy are rays of sunshine singing young kupuna, just like the day we met them at Beckwith Hillside Senior Care in Manoa.

“It’s so heartwarming to see their faces when you see them singing, smiling, we even cried a few,” said Sandy, a Kupuna music volunteer. “At first we felt bad, but we realized they were tears of joy because we brought back some good memories.”

The Youngs had learned to play guitar 10 years earlier when they were babysitting Gordon’s mother.

“At the time I was looking after Mom and I would sing to her and she would clap,” explained Gordon, a Kupuna music volunteer. “Even if she doesn’t understand all the lyrics, she’ll clap and tell me ‘thank you’.” I will keep up with him and I will practice, practice and practice.

Young has been performing together at various care homes for the past nine years, making around six visits per month. And his formula for success is really simple.

“She tells me, I lead. I say, okay, no problem. The song selection is easy,” Gordon explained with a laugh.

The couple, who have been married for 18 years, are hoping to inspire others to join in.

“They may not be into music or singing, but there are other avenues that they can reach these people,” Sandy said. “Maybe get them involved and bring some joy into their lives every day, whether it’s playing bingo, or reading to them, or reading to them — or whatever their passion is.”

“If I had a GoPro I could film everything, and let other people see, they’d say ‘Wow, I need to do this,'” Gordon said.