With all the warmth and welcome that filled the grounds of the Kapa‘a Beach Park yesterday, a person could almost forget — if only for a couple of hours — the failing economy, the lost job, or even the cold
With all the warmth and welcome that filled the grounds of the Kapa‘a Beach Park yesterday, a person could almost forget — if only for a couple of hours — the failing economy, the lost job, or even the cold reality of living without a home.
According to Pastor Matt Victor of the Ohana Christian Fellowship Church, which hosted the 500-plus person event, that was kind of the idea, to let people on the island know that when things get tough there are still plenty of folks ready to hold out a hand.
Or, in this case, a plate heaped nearly to the breaking point with delicious turkey and gravy, stuffing, corn, rolls — all provided courtesy of the Marriott and the hard work of Head Chef Guy Higa. Or a slice of pumpkin pie, provided to the church at an “unbelievable price” by Kaua‘i Bakery. Or a nice pair of shoes. Or a small kitchen appliance. Or a toy. Or a new Bible. Or anything else the people of the Ohana Christian Fellowship could find to donate to people in need.
You could even get a free haircut, from home salon owner Windy Kirifi, who jokingly remarked to Pastor Matt that he could use a trim. When he suggested she cut everybody’s hair, Kirifi volunteered.
They’ve been doing this for nine years now, and according to the people who’ve been volunteering for years — a long list, including Marvin Rivera and family, Neil McDonald, Cliff and Patty Furtado, and Fred and Helen Aki — it’s worth every effort because, to hear them tell it, it just keeps getting better every year.
Pastor Victor’s only complaint — if you can call it that — was that, when so many people and businesses step up to help, it’s hard to be sure you’ve remembered to mention them all in appreciation. Then he suddenly remembered to mention that the Marriott, in addition to the food, donated household items, including towels and sheets.
And then he looked up at the sky, where clouds had parted for the sun just as festivities were getting into full swing and said, “And special thanks to God for the good weather.”
Citing a verse from Matthew in the Old Testament, Victor said that it was only natural that the church be helping to feed the community.
John Blalock agreed, saying, “When we do this, we get blessed.”
The day was filled with jokes, song performances, and dancing from two different hula groups, one from Ohana Christian and another from Lihu’e Missionary Church.
One of the hula dancers, Armita Afsar, moved to the island just seven months ago, but said that she truly understood the sharing spirit of thanks and giving.
“I’ve learned that here in Hawai’i, everyone treats everyone like family. And I already feel like I’m a part of it.”
At least a couple of the volunteers have been willing, year after year, to travel thousands of miles to share that aloha.
Don and Sheila Murray, who live near Seattle, Wash., said that when they first came to vacation on the island several years ago, they attended a Kaua‘i-introduction talk given by now-Kauai County Council member Dickie Chang. The Murrays said they didn’t want to spend their vacation “like monk seals, stuffing ourselves and laying around,” and asked Chang for advice. When he pointed them to this yearly event, they jumped at the chance.
Don Murray said that, since he was raised in a small community of Portuguese, Italians and Hawaiians in a suburb of Oakland, Calif., as a child, the extended ohana feeling of Kaua‘i felt familiar.
He also dreamed of Hawai‘i as he listened to Hawaiian music on his home-made “crystal radio.”
“So coming back here just feels like home to me,” he said.
The focus of the event was the homeless and other people of need. And many expressed their appreciation.
Mulen and Matt Ka‘ahanui said that they were happy to be at the event, but wished even more people could have attended.
“It would be nice if there were even more people here,” Ka‘ahanui said. “People could come here, get some encouragement so they can say ‘Wow, there’s some hope, instead of lingering around looking for life.’”
• Luke Shanahan, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or lshanahan@kauaipubco.com
