Centenarians credit
God and family
for long life
Another wonders how he
By Heather Tang
beat predictions that he'd
die at an early age
Star-BulletinOne hundred five-year-old Sada Yamamoto thanks God and a happy outlook as the secret to her long life.
Being blessed with a kind and loving daughter helped usher 101-year-old Ume Miura into her second century.
And soon-to-be 102-year-old Tadao Sato will enter the next millennium wondering how he beat the odds and predictions that he'd die at an early age.
"(Sato) has shocked himself. In Japan when he was young, he overheard doctors tell his parents that they didn't expect him to live long," he said through interpreter Johanna Won.
He has five surviving children, 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Sato and the other centenarians at the Hale Pulama Mau senior citizens care home celebrated their September birthdays at a party yesterday afternoon sponsored by the Japanese Women's Society at Kuakini Hospital.
The society has contributed more than $750,000 to the care home and has been visiting the residents for the last 19 years.
For Fukushima, Japan, native Yamamoto, turning 106 years old on Friday is bittersweet. After divorcing her husband, she moved to the mainland where she was interned in a Colorado internment camp for three years during World War II.
"It wasn't bad. I washed dishes and worked and got paid $16 a month. At least I was earning money," Yamamoto said through an interpreter.
The former picture bride says "she doesn't feel anything so great" about turning another year older.
Instead, she feels the end of her life approaching.
Meanwhile, 101-year-old Ume Miura credits her daughter, Tomiko Matsuura, for keeping her healthy.
"She treated me so kindly all throughout her life, I think that's the reason for my long life," she said through a translator.
Being a member of Kalihi Union Church also makes Miura happy. Now that she can no longer attend Sunday services, church members come to visit.
She also has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
