NAWILIWILI — Lt. Kaleo Perez and Kaua‘i Police Department officer Dan Miyamoto were busy all morning Thursday. In addition to their normal duties, the pair of officers were put on special detail to seek out business leaders for the Kaua‘i
NAWILIWILI — Lt. Kaleo Perez and Kaua‘i Police Department officer Dan Miyamoto were busy all morning Thursday.
In addition to their normal duties, the pair of officers were put on special detail to seek out business leaders for the Kaua‘i Lock Up, a Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hawai‘i fundraiser.
Targeted individuals were “arrested” and taken to the “maximum appreciation prison site” at Duke’s Restaurant, where they spent the day raising “bail.”
Proceeds from the Kaua‘i Lock Up will go directly to MDA Hawai‘i services, which include free clinical visits, help with purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces, and a weeklong Summer Camp for children with neuromuscular diseases and research.
Allicyn Hayes, the MDA program coordinator, said all funds raised stay in Hawai‘i to help Hawai‘i families.
On Thursday a steady stream of jailbirds flowed through — first to sentencing by Judge Brittney, then to lock-up with a cell phone to call their friends and associates to raise funds.
One of the early suspects was Ed Kawamura, who had a bail of $10,000.
“I’m calling everybody,” Kawamura said. “I need to get out of here by Saturday morning because I’ll be at the Garden Fair at the Kaua‘i Community College.”
With almost the entire day ahead of him, Kawamura was visited by community residents who dropped off contributions to help his goal.
“Last year we raised $48,000 after expenses,” said Audrey Hirayama, MDA district director. “This year’s goal is $50,000.”
Clarissa Combs, manager of Starbucks at Kukui Grove, joined other staff members in raising bail. Combs said the company matched contributions from employee tips.
MDA Hawai‘i is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.
The Kaua‘i Lock Up is just one of a series of MDA programs that take place nationwide.
