VINFAST IRON AN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Kona | Hawai'i 2023 Mlama Award Gloria Keomalu-Pastor written by Jennifer Ward ach year, IRONMAN chooses a dedicated volunteer or community member to receive IRONMAN World Championship. "Malama" means to take care, to tend, and to be full of compassion. This year's recipient is 88-year-old Gloria Keomalu-Pastor, a Hawaiian elder who has been working at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort for 37 years and 12 years prior with the previous owner, Pacific Beach. She's known as "Auntie Gloria" by her coworkers, friends, and loved ones. She works as a banquet server and, quite simply, refuses to retire. "I have had the opportunity to work with Gloria at the IRONMAN World Championship for over 20 years," says Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President of World Championship Events for the IRONMAN Group. "Every year when I return to the hotel, it is Gloria's joy and Aloha that makes me feel at home. She is at the heart of King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort and IRONMAN's partnership, and she embodies the spirit of Aloha while she proves Anything is Possible." Leina ala Fruean, Cultural Consultant for Island Breeze Productions, has worked closely with the hotel since 1985, and with Auntie Gloria. She explains that "Auntie Gloria" is a true elder in the community. "Everything resides in her. She has endured much, and she knows what it means to serve!" Auntie Gloria was born in Honolulu and comes from a long line of Hawaiian fishermen and coffee farmers: "Those that took pride in all they did on their land - these people were not afraid of hard work," Fruean says. She adds that is why you see Auntie Gloria still working today. Auntie Gloria moved to Kona in 1989 for her husband to open a convenience store. "We moved here for a year, but I've been here ever since. Coming from Honolulu we were busy, but Kona was not that," she says. Auntie Gloria tells her coworkers and friends that she'll only stop working when her body will no longer let her continue. "I like to keep myself busy," she says. "Gloria is like an energizer bunny, always going going going. The word 'no' is not in her vocabulary. She's always willing to help people," says Alana Yamamoto, one of Gloria's colleagues at the hotel. "Auntie Gloria is part of the fabric, part of the walls, part of everything about that place. Her life is holomua. Persevere, continue, move forward, don't stop," adds Fruean. Hawaiian elders are cherished for being great providers. Gloria has four children, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren - and is truly loved by many. She cooks regularly at the Veterans of Foreign War, a club her late husband was commander (president) of, and loves to sew, travel, and bake. Gloria Keomalu-Pastor shares her gifts with her community and is truly committed to the Island and its people, completely embracing what "Malama" means. We are honored to extend the Mlama Award to her at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. VINFAST IRON AN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Kona | Hawai'i 2023 Mlama Award Gloria Keomalu - Pastor written by Jennifer Ward ach year , IRONMAN chooses a dedicated volunteer or community member to receive IRONMAN World Championship . " Malama " means to take care , to tend , and to be full of compassion . This year's recipient is 88 - year - old Gloria Keomalu - Pastor , a Hawaiian elder who has been working at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort for 37 years and 12 years prior with the previous owner , Pacific Beach . She's known as " Auntie Gloria " by her coworkers , friends , and loved ones . She works as a banquet server and , quite simply , refuses to retire . " I have had the opportunity to work with Gloria at the IRONMAN World Championship for over 20 years , " says Diana Bertsch , Senior Vice President of World Championship Events for the IRONMAN Group . " Every year when I return to the hotel , it is Gloria's joy and Aloha that makes me feel at home . She is at the heart of King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort and IRONMAN's partnership , and she embodies the spirit of Aloha while she proves Anything is Possible . " Leina ala Fruean , Cultural Consultant for Island Breeze Productions , has worked closely with the hotel since 1985 , and with Auntie Gloria . She explains that " Auntie Gloria " is a true elder in the community . " Everything resides in her . She has endured much , and she knows what it means to serve ! " Auntie Gloria was born in Honolulu and comes from a long line of Hawaiian fishermen and coffee farmers : " Those that took pride in all they did on their land - these people were not afraid of hard work , " Fruean says . She adds that is why you see Auntie Gloria still working today . Auntie Gloria moved to Kona in 1989 for her husband to open a convenience store . " We moved here for a year , but I've been here ever since . Coming from Honolulu we were busy , but Kona was not that , " she says . Auntie Gloria tells her coworkers and friends that she'll only stop working when her body will no longer let her continue . " I like to keep myself busy , " she says . " Gloria is like an energizer bunny , always going going going . The word ' no ' is not in her vocabulary . She's always willing to help people , " says Alana Yamamoto , one of Gloria's colleagues at the hotel . " Auntie Gloria is part of the fabric , part of the walls , part of everything about that place . Her life is holomua . Persevere , continue , move forward , don't stop , " adds Fruean . Hawaiian elders are cherished for being great providers . Gloria has four children , 14 grandchildren , and 7 great - grandchildren - and is truly loved by many . She cooks regularly at the Veterans of Foreign War , a club her late husband was commander ( president ) of , and loves to sew , travel , and bake . Gloria Keomalu - Pastor shares her gifts with her community and is truly committed to the Island and its people , completely embracing what " Malama " means . We are honored to extend the Mlama Award to her at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship .