Hidden treasures stir memories of a 38-year career
by Kathy Freitas | April 10, 2022
As my family was celebrating this past Christmas, my grandmother in-law Connie Kop, affectionately known by our family as Popo, brought out her jewelry collection to offer me any hidden gems she may have had stored away. As I looked through her collection, I stumbled upon something unique that caught my eye — four gold pins with the words “The Hawaiian Electric Co. Ltd.” and various years inscribed in ascending five-year increments.
Popo, now 93, explained to me that the pins were awarded to employees at a service awards dinner to recognize their years of service with the company at every five-year milestone. The family of the awardees would attend the dinner with the award recipient, and I’ve even seen a photo from one of those service awards dinners back when my now-husband (Popo’s grandson) was only a teenager.
Popo’s 38-year career with Hawaiian Electric began as a clerk in the bookkeeping department. Fresh out of high school in 1948, she applied for an opening at the company when one of her friends told her it was a great place to work. She didn’t realize it at the time, but Hawaiian Electric would end up being the only company she would work for over her long and fulfilling career.
“I just kept working there, satisfied with what I was doing,” Popo said. “I felt blessed to be able to do what I needed to do and never really thought about going anywhere else.”
For her first five years with the company, she worked under the supervision of Jack Stayton in the bookkeeping department. Every time Jack took a new position, Popo would follow and continue to work under his supervision. After taking maternity leave in 1953, she transferred to the accounting department to work for the credit union where she remained until retiring in 1986.
It was at the credit union where Popo is most remembered for her time with the company. I still hear stories from employees and former employees who remember her as the face of the credit union. They always tell me how helpful she was and that she would always remind them to save their money.
Another recollection I often hear is how she gave out the most delicious, homemade Chinese pretzels as a thank you gift to everyone who attended her retirement party. Popo has always been an incredible cook, and my family still enjoys her flavorful dishes on a regular basis. Over the years, she has even contributed a few recipes to The Electric Kitchen. One of her most famous recipes is her Pressure Cooker Peanuts.
Popo isn’t the only one in our family with a history at Hawaiian Electric. Her daughter Alma and Alma’s husband, Richard, (my mother and father in-law) both worked for Hawaiian Electric upon graduating from community college after Popo insisted that they apply. Alma was hired as a clerk in the King Street building and Richard got his start with the meter reading department . They have both since retired after long, rewarding careers with Hawaiian Electric and now spend lots of time with their grandkids.
“It’s a good company to work for, the people were very nice and helpful,” Popo said. “Some of the people I met became very good friends and we still kept in touch even after I retired.”
If you’re interested in joining the Hawaiian Electric ohana, check out our current job openings at hawaiianelectric.com. Who knows, you might even end up having a 38-year career like Popo.
Kathy Freitas is a government client services manager at Hawaiian Electric.
