Rebecca Eyster Honored by Scholarship Fund
Friends from Hana and around the world are honoring beloved Rebecca Eyster with a scholarship fund in her name.
Rebecca, 95, a retired Hana School teacher and community volunteer passed away during gentle slumber on October 10, 1996. So far, over $6000 has been collected for the scholarship fund by members of the Wananalua Congregational Church and the Hana Cultural Center.
"She's very well-known and loved in Hana" said Coila Eade, Rebecca's caregiver for the last five years. Coila said the money from the fund will be awarded each spring to graduating seniors at Hana High School who will be continuing their education.
Rebecca was born Feb. 9, 1901 in Chambersburg, Pa. She and two girlfriends first came to Hawaii during World War II on a ship that carried military troops.
She worked for the American Red Cross until 1946 and then became director of the YWCA at Fernhurst on Oahu (the location has since changed). She taught for one year in 1951 in Wahiawa and then moved to Hana in 1952. She taught English literature to grades 8 through 12 at Hana High until her retirement in 1966.
During her retirement, she was an active member of the Wananalua Congregational Church and served as the social coordinator for the Na Leo O Hana choral group.
Rebecca loved to play bridge, and volunteered at the Hana Cultural Center, where she conducted tours well into her 70s.
She also spent many years in retirement making flower and Job's-tears leis for visitors. She was often seen greeting visitors at the Hana Airport and taking them on tours throughout the island.
More than 100 people attended Rebecca's funeral on Oct. 20. Her ashes are buried at the Wananalua Church cemetery.
Donations will be accepted on a continual basis for the "Rebecca Eyster Scholarship Fund." Money may be sent to the fund, c/o Coila Eade, treasurer, P.O. Box 187, Hana, HI 96713.