Just days away from her 100th birthday on Sunday, beloved Kaua'i resident Anna Sloggett shows no signs of slowing down — recently renewing her driver's license, lunching with girlfriends, golfing, playing bridge and mahjong, and gearing up to celebrate her milestone birthday with a big bash.

Still full of energy and spunk — that's typical Sloggett, family and friends say. And if there's ever any question about her lust for life, just look into her eyes.

"Her eyes have a spark," said longtime friend Jocelyn Fujii. "They've always had that ... so much wit and spirit."

Sloggett, a retired teacher who devoted 35 years to Hawai'i youngsters, celebrates her birthday with a sold-out lu'au Sunday at Gaylord's in Kilohana on Kaua'i. The celebration also included a golf tournament last Saturday at the Wailua Golf Course.

Money raised from the two events goes to the University of Hawai'i Foundation to establish the Anna S. Sloggett Endowed Scholarship Fund at Kaua'i Community College. The scholarships will support Kaua'i students pursuing preschool and elementary education.

"I'm looking forward" to the lu'au, Sloggett said, then gave a throaty laugh. "To see all my ex-pupils and old friends, and to thank them all for coming."

Sloggett was born Sept. 17, 1906, in Lihu'e, to Walter and Mary Scott. Sloggett is the granddaughter of William Hyde Rice, the last governor of Kaua'i under Queen Lili'uokalani, and Mary Waterhouse Rice.

After graduating from Kaua'i High School in 1924, Sloggett attended Mills College in Oakland, Calif., and later San Francisco State College.

After college, Sloggett spent 35 years teaching at Kamehameha IV on Maui; Kawananakoa and Punahou on O'ahu; and Lihu'e, Kapa'a and Elsie Wilcox grammar schools on Kaua'i.

"I loved every year, seeing all the new children that came to my class and hoping I could teach them to love reading and writing," Sloggett said by telephone from her Lihu'e home.

Fujii, now a Makiki resident and writer in her late 50s, remembers when Sloggett was her third-grade teacher — known as Mrs. Bishop back then — at Kapa'a Grammar School.

Sloggett was a compassionate teacher who gave up her lunch for students who forgot theirs, Fujii fondly recalled.

The teacher would take athletically challenged children by the hand and help them run bases during baseball games, and she encouraged students to write and produce plays.

"She was very big on creative endeavors and writing," said Fujii. "She encouraged us to become well-rounded people."

Artist Laka Morton, also a former third-grade student of Sloggett's at Kapa'a, really enjoyed the class field trips, he said.

"She was adventurous, as far as just getting up and going," said Morton, 60, of Volcano on the Big Island. "We always took excursions."

Morton remembered how he and his classmates would board a tiny school bus to visit places such as the local police and fire stations, post office, sugar and pineapple factories, and Waipahe'e Falls.

"She was the best teacher I ever had in the world," Morton said.

A LIVING TREASURE

In addition to winning teaching awards, Sloggett has an annual Women In Theatre award named after her and has also been named a Living Treasure by Kaua'i Museum.

It's no secret why Sloggett is adored by so many, Morton said.

"She's full of love and life, she's very enthusiastic, and she does something nice for people everyday," he said.

"And she has a fabulous sense of humor," Fujii added. "She's very kolohe."

Sloggett is also extremely kind, Morton and Fujii said.

"I enjoy life, I enjoy people and I think it makes a difference if you don't hold grudges and that sort of thing," Sloggett said. " ... I think if you see the best in people, you profit by it because we're all different, but we all have a good side."

Sloggett's lessons have gone far beyond the classroom and continue through today. She has set an example for family and friends to never stop learning, Fujii said.

"She continues to teach me in life," Fujii said. "I learn so much from her."

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.