Brant Kawika Parangan is a long way from home. Parangan, a merchandiser for Otsuka’s Furniture & Appliances in Kapa‘a before his Hawaii Army National Guard unit was recently called to Iraq, is fighting a dusty and deadly war. But his
Brant Kawika Parangan is a long way from home.
Parangan, a merchandiser for Otsuka’s Furniture & Appliances in Kapa‘a before his Hawaii Army National Guard unit was recently called to Iraq, is fighting a dusty and deadly war.
But his extended ‘ohana at Otsuka’s is doing something special to keep him close to their hearts, and to benefit other Kaua‘i families with loved ones serving abroad.
Otsuka’s leaders are holding a four-day, Memorial-Day sale that is part business and another part heart and community soul.
A portion of the proceeds will go to leaders at Malama Pono O Kaua‘i, which is the Kaua‘i Family Readiness Group (FRG), a family-support organization for those whose loved ones are deployed. Each island has an FRG.
Otsuka’s owners and managers hope to raise $5,000 to $10,000 during the four-day sale, for a lump-sum donation to Kaua‘i’s FRG.
Store General Manager Jeff Hayes is the force behind the event.
Hayes, known for his entertaining TV commercials, said company leaders are regularly approached for donations. He felt the Memorial-Day effort had to reflect and benefit the community of Kaua‘i and be a home-grown Kaua‘i event, with proceeds staying on Kaua‘i for Kaua‘i families.
“The longer everyone’s in Iraq, the greater the stress takes its toll on family and businesses,” Hayes said.
“What we put into our local economy benefits Kaua‘i directly, and we think it’s becoming more and more important to bring awareness to this,” he said.
“It’s for this reason we’ve chosen a local chapter of the FRG. Shopping locally means shopping Kaua‘i, not Hawai‘i,” said Hayes. “It’s about helping Kaua‘i’s people first. Hopefully, an event like this will help bring some awareness to how important this is,” Hayes said.
Hayes said all 63 employees will be working for this event on a voluntary basis.
Hayes described Parangan as “a really good guy. He never batted an eye when he was called up, but I knew he was scared.”
Hayes said he has communicated with Parangan, and that he is doing well, all things considered.
The sale events will begin this Friday, May 27, from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., and continue with the same hours on Saturday.
Sunday, May 29, the hours are 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., and on Monday, May 30, from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m.
Hayes said in his six years at Otsuka’s, the store had never had a holiday sale, largely because the perception was people would be doing family things or hanging out at the beach rather than shopping.
“It will be a chance for us to see how Kaua‘i responds to a holiday event sale,” he said, adding he had a container full of clearance merchandise that would fill up the entire parking lot.
Hayes said members of local Boy Scout Troop 270 will be providing a barbecue lunch on Monday, offering either hot dogs or hamburgers, a soda or other type of drink, for $1, with proceeds directly benefiting the troop.
Otsuka’s leaders will provide them with the food to sell.
All furniture in the store will be 50 percent off the retail price.
Clearance merchandise in the tent outside will be at 80 percent off.
Accessories and gifts (lamps, artwork, area rugs and home accents) will be 25 percent off.
Mattress sets will also be discounted for this event, according to Hayes.
Hayes said the sale is company-wide, which means the same discounts will apply at Otsuka’s Mattresses N’ More in Kukui Grove Center, and at Otsuka’s, Too! on Kawaihau Road in Kapa‘a.
Jeanette Otsuka Chang is the president and owner of Otsuka’s.
