In the small New England town of Portland, Connecticut shines a beacon of the Aloha Spirit. This beacon is our classmate, Roselani O’Neal Ferguson.
After Roselani graduated from Kaimuki High, her dream was to become a teacher. When she went to college in California, however, she was unable to succeed in her studies because of dyslexia. She returned to Hawai‘i where she became the lead singer in a group called the New Kolohes Band. Roselani says she had the time of her life and got to meet many celebrities.
She and her husband, Jim, moved to Portland, Connecticut and, like most Hawai‘i people who move to the continental U.S., Roselani went through culture shock and was homesick. Even though she missed Hawai‘i, Roselani resolved that no matter where she lived, she would keep Hawai‘i in her heart and share it with other people. In Connecticut, Roselani met many people who were ignorant of Hawai‘i. For example, they asked how she learned to speak English and how long she had been in America. Roselani treasured the opportunity to teach people about Hawai‘i and to share her knowledge of her culture with them. She helped many people plan trips to the Hawaiian Islands, and when they returned, they would often ask how she could have left Hawai‘i. Her response was that Hawai‘i had never left her.
Roselani is an ambassador of the Aloha Spirit. This past year, she was named one of Connecticut’s most influential individuals by Duncaster: Connecticut’s 60 over 60, Those to Admire; Those Who Inspire. “Connecticut’s Kindest Resident. Connecticut benefited greatly when Roselani moved here from Hawaii. Her endless acts of kindness have made her adopted home state a better place to live. Her selfless dedication to others has made the lives of the old and the young better. She touches the lives of old and young throughout her community every day. Roselani has dressed up as Santa; provided Christmas gifts and meals for underprivileged families; bought prom dresses for girls who could not afford them; and cooked meals for people when they are sick and homebound.”
This past year, Roselani was also honored with The Waverly Center’s Ralph Paley Spirit of Portland Award for embodying the spirit of giving to all those fortunate enough to cross her path. She does it all out of the goodness of her heart because she loves to help others.
We are grateful to Roselani for sharing the Spirit of Aloha with so many people in her community.
