Kokua Line: How can mom be recognized for 100th birthday?
Feb. 5—Question : My mother is approaching her 100th birthday and I was wondering what official recognition (Hawaii and U.S.) she could get to help celebrate, and how to go about it.
Question : My mother is approaching her 100th birthday and I was wondering what official recognition (Hawaii and U.S.) she could get to help celebrate, and how to go about it.
Answer : Achieving centenarian status is a milestone that many elected officials and others honor with a special birthday message or certificate. Here's more information :—Honolulu mayor : Request a certificate from Mayor Rick Blangiardi by submitting an online form at least three weeks in advance. The form, at, is used to recognize centenarians, as well as other achievements and contributions, a spokesperson said. You can also find the form via links on the mayor's website, . Click on "contact the mayor " and then choose "certificate request form " from among several options.—Honolulu City Council : Request an honorary certificate from the Council member representing your mom's district. Find council members' contact information at.—Hawaii governor : Request a commemorative message from Gov. Josh Green by submitting the online form at. Requests should be submitted at least four weeks before the event—in this case your mom's 100th birthday—but no more than three months ahead, according to the form, which you also can find via Green's website, . Click on "contact us " and then "request a commemorative message."—Hawaii legislators : Contact state lawmakers for your mom's district to ask if they'll offer a 100th birthday greeting. Find contact information at.—U.S. Senate : Hawaii Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz each have recognition request forms on their websites, which should be submitted at least three weeks in advance. Hirono's is at, or can be found via. Choose "80 + Birthday " for the type of message requested. Schatz's form is at, or can be found via. His website says messages are reserved for constituents and that it may not be possible to fulfill all requests. U.S. Senate districts are statewide.—U.S. House : Congressman Ed Case, who represents District 1, can issue a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to mark a constituent's 100th birthday, as well as for other special occasions or awards. Use the online form at 808ne.ws /casereq to request a certificate, which for a centenarian would fall under the category of "other achievements of public distinction, " a spokesperson said. The form also can be found via Case's website, case.house.gov. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, serving District 2, has a similar form for her constituents at 808ne.ws /tokreq, or via tokuda.house.gov.—U.S. president : Request a 100th birthday greeting from President Joe Biden by filling out the detailed form at at least six weeks in advance. You can also find the form via links at.—NBC's Today show : The morning news show celebrates centenarians, but submissions are selected randomly, so there's no guarantee your mom will be featured. Submit the request form online at. You'll need to provide a digital photo of your mom as well.—Papal blessing : In a followup email, you mentioned that your mom is Roman Catholic. It's possible to order a papal blessing parchment online for practicing Catholics who are turning 100, but there are fees and delivery charges, and you must order well in advance. See details at.
Readers may have other ideas about how to honor your mom on this momentous day. We'll be happy to share any tips we receive.------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email kokualine @staradvertiser.com.------
