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Mother’s pain
gives honoree
a mission

Cheryl Chun, Hawaii's
new Mother of the Year,
will battle smoking

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

Although the announcement of Hawaii Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. is a festive event, tears could be expected today.

Cheryl Chun, 44, of Wahiawa, learned a few weeks ago that she was selected for the honor, and "I was hoping against all odds that my mom could be here."

But Rebecca Leinaala Saromines of Nanakuli died March 10. The family gathered for her funeral Wednesday and burial Thursday.

Courtesy Paul Hayashi Photography
Cheryl Chun, Hawaii Mother of the Year.

Some of the family reconvened today at the awards luncheon at Pearl Country Club to celebrate Chun's new title, in what she describes as "a week that brought us a roller-coaster of emotion."

Chun and her husband, Clayton, have eight children, and have opened their home to 15 foster children since 1992.

Also to be honored today is Susan Kunz of Laie, named Hawaii Young Mother. She and her husband, Steve, have seven children.

Chun and Kunz will represent Hawaii at the National Mother of the Year Convention April 26-30 in New York. The convention is sponsored by American Mothers, an interfaith and intercultural organization recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the official sponsor of Mother's Day.

Each state titleholder traditionally becomes an advocate for a cause that reflects the national group's goal "to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and home."

Chun's mother suffered for two years with cancer in her neck caused by years as a smoker. Her death has given birth to a cause.

"She was still smoking until January. Nothing we said or the doctor gave her helped her to quit," Chun said.

"The best way I can pay tribute to her is tell everybody to quit now.

"My message to young people is: Don't start. Our youth who start smoking cannot quit; they become addicted adults. When they ask me to give a speech, this is what they'll hear me say."

Chun said she never told her mother about the new title. "She was in the hospital since the first week of January and she was in a lot of pain. It didn't seem an appropriate time to mention it.

"I was contemplating withdrawing, my heart was so heavy. My aunties were so supportive, they really convinced me to not go the other way."

"I think there's a purpose for everything," said Chun. "The timing seemed the worst, but there must be a reason." Chun said she invited a friend who smokes to come home with her to visit her mother "and see how much she was suffering. She told me, 'Maybe God is talking to me through you.' "

Kunz said that as a representative of young mothers, she will be promoting literacy and "teaching children not just to read but to love reading." She is a graduate of Kahuku High School and earned a business management degree from Brigham Young University Hawaii. She is active in the Laie Community Association and is a safety officer with Koolauloa Little League.

Both women are active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Having a house full of family is the norm for the Chuns. This week, they have five foster children staying with them.

The youngest in the family is 4 years old. He came into their care at 2 weeks of age, and they adopted him when he was 2. Their other children are 10 to 24 years old. The Chuns have one grandchild and a second is on the way, she said.

"I used to hesitate telling anyone I stay at home and care for the family," said Chun. "Other women have jobs, college degrees, they travel. I know how it feels when you're in a room and they ask, 'What do you do?' I used to feel intimidated.

"I want to be spokeswoman for other mothers who share that common experience," said Chun.

"We chose not to have a career, we chose to be home, we are fulfilled. It's a blessing to be at home."