The meeting of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club on September 25, 2025, at the Cerritos Senior Center, started at 2:00 p.m. at the Cerritos Senior Club with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Danny Chang and Calvin Kunimoto. Hawaii Pono’i was then sung and led by Winona Chang, Gloria Kunimoto, and Gladys Yoshii.
Hedy Anduha then led the singing of “Happy Birthday” to September Birthday Celebrants Malorette “Malu” Gascon, Jean Kitjima, Carrie Kumabe, Elaine Lau, and Irene Perry. Members of the club happily joined in singing birthday wishes to the celebrants.
There was a special program on this day with members giving tributes to the late Maximo “Max” Cadabona, who passed away on August 2, 2025, at the age of 92. Max was the leader of the Ukulele Group called “Da’ Golden Strummers” and was one of the Founders of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club in 1998. He loved singing songs as a Karaoke DJ, with no orchestra, and only playing his ukulele and using his own sound equipment at different senior centers. Max supported Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club by requesting that any donations his family received upon his passing be given to Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club. The Max Cadabona family donated $245, from members and friends, to Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club’s Ohana Committee for the Health and Welfare of members.
As part of the Tribute Program, Francis McCormick read Max’s Eulogy which his family had submitted earlier. He is survived by a son and his wife, three daughters and their husbands, 13 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren. He was married to Hilda Saturnio until her passing in 2003. Frances described how Max enjoyed spending time fishing with his family and cooking breakfast and lunch for his family on his portable Coleman stove. The family said that Max will be deeply missed by everyone.
Verbal tributes to Max Cadabona were given about Max by Hedy and Larry Anduha and John Yanagihara. Hedy and Larry reminisced about the many times they and Max participated in parades for Cerritos City Celebrations over the years. John talked about the times Max went out of his way to help him when he had car troubles some years ago. He said it showed how Max was a caring friend. They and other members said how they missed Max and his singing.
President Carmelita introduced a video of Max the Karaoke DJ singing the song “Begin the Begine” so members could remember his singing. More members joined in singing other songs, including Max’s favorite song, “Baby Blue.” Anne Kho sang a solo of “Amazing Grace” and wished Max peace. As part of Karaoke, DHSC member, “Elvis” Elias Laberinto, sang three Elvis songs. Susan McCormick and Friends sang “Battle Hymn of the Aging” and “Yellow Bird” with Annie Kelly playing an instrument that sounded like a bird.
A final, very special ending to the program was that Hedy Anduha had all members form a circle as she taught them how to dance a hula to “Aloha O’e.” After singing Hawaii Aloha,” they all sang “Aloha, Until We meet Again” to Max.