Michael Suda
2004 Recipient of Tony Tomoso Award
November 19, 2004
Top senior volunteer treasures the children
By CLAUDINE SAN NICOLAS, Maui News Staff Writer
HAIKU – Retired teacher Michael Suda gives his time and energy once a week to one of the things he treasures most in life – children. "People search the depths of the earth and the depths of the ocean for treasures when the real treasure is right here in your heart with children," Suda said during a break from his weekly math tutoring session at Haiku Elementary School. At age 74, Suda gardens a little, watches lots of University of Hawaii sports events and tutors for hours on end with some of Haiku’s youngest students.
"The reward is when the kid’s face lights up with ’I know it, I got it.’ . . . I think their smile, the fact that they understand, is the greatest reward," Suda said, smiling as he placed his hand over his heart.
Suda was honored Thursday as this year’s recipient of the Tony Tomoso Award. Coordinated by the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Kaunoa Senior Services, the award was established in honor of the late Tony Tomoso, an active RSVP volunteer and community supporter before he died in 1988.
Suda, who was born in Huelo and spoke only Japanese until he enrolled at Haiku School as a 1st-grader, was one of 17 senior volunteers nominated for the Tony Tomoso Award.
Haiku Elementary 4th-grade teacher Theresa Haberstroh nominated Suda for the award, impressed by his devotion and commitment to students at his alma mater. "Mr. Suda has helped several of my needy students gain more confidence in math, which as he tells my classes is the ’universal language,’ " Haberstroh wrote in her nomination. "After he works with the individuals, he comes back and gives mental math problems for the whole class. He also always has rewards for those who work hard," she said.
On Wednesday, Suda read out multiplication problems to Haberstroh’s students. The children with the most correct answers were given candy provided at Suda’s expense, a smile and a personal pat on the back from the popular tutor. According to Haberstroh, Suda suffers from emphysema and has a cataract forming, "yet he’s still a happy, pleasant presence every Wednesday." Sometimes Suda talks about his own educational experiences at Haiku School in the 1930s, and how he sometimes wore pants made from rice bags. "So he gives other lessons too," Haberstroh said.
Following the award announcement, Haberstroh said Thursday that Suda stands out as a committed volunteer who never fails to show up on time. He also wears a Haiku School T-shirt when he comes to work with the children. "He’s here without fail. He gets here when school starts, and he stays here until school’s over," she said. "I’m so pleased. I’m so proud of him," Haberstroh said. Haiku’s parent-community networking center facilitator Megan Ramirez also applauded Suda’s contributions to the school. "Our school greatly benefits from the services of Mr. Michael Suda," Ramirez wrote. "He volunteers almost every Wednesday, without fail, totaling approximately 20 hours a month."
Suda is also active with Haiku School’s fund-raising efforts and is currently helping to plan the annual Ho’olaule’a for school’s 100th anniversary. His birth in 1930, Suda grew up as one of seven children in Stable Camp in Haiku. His first language was Japanese, and he learned English during his eight years at Haiku School. He went on to graduate from Maui High School at Hamakuapoko and eventually earned a bachelor of arts degree from Iowa State Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa. Suda majored in Spanish and had minors in French and English literature.
After he served during the Korean War and was discharged from the U.S. Army, Suda returned to the University of Northern Iowa, where he earned a master’s degree in education. He taught for 10 years at Haiku School and 23 years at Makawao School.
