Former California radio personality and current Puna resident Irvin “Irv” Carlsen celebrated his 100th birthday today.
Carlsen was honored by dancers from Hula Mai O Mo Ani Ani and serenaded by Nohealani Akioka-Saron’gs ukulele group in the event held at the Pahoa Senior Center.
The event organized by the Hawaii County Nutrition Program included Carlsen joining in the singing of popular songs from his younger days, namely the 1940s.
Born in Standish, Calif. in 1914, Carlsen was trained in electronics and made his career in broadcasting, said the nutrition program’s Kristina Mauak.
Known as “The Voice of the Central Valley,” his deep voice resonated from Reno to Redding to San Francisco.
Upon his retirement in 1980, Carlsen retired to the Big Island – described as his all-time favorite spot — where he passed his time snorkeling and doing experiments with electronics and solar and wind energy.
According to Mauak, Carlsen has a 90-year-old girlfriend and takes no medications.
“His mind is as active as ever, and he loves to converse with everybody, especially about visions of the future and natural ways of living on this island that he loves so much,” she said.
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