NAWILIWILI — Kaua‘i police captain Ale Quibilan was arrested Thursday. So was Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman. Ed Kawamura of M. Kawamura Enterprises, chair of the upcoming Disabled Veterans of America convention, was arrested for the second time. They were
NAWILIWILI — Kaua‘i police captain Ale Quibilan was arrested Thursday.
So was Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman. Ed Kawamura of M. Kawamura Enterprises, chair of the upcoming Disabled Veterans of America convention, was arrested for the second time.
They were just part of a string of Kaua‘i notables, including County Council member Dickie Chang, who participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual MDA Lock-Up fundraiser at Duke’s.
A steady stream of jailbirds was brought before MDA Judge Brittany Pannell, who sentenced the convicts for having a good heart and going around town soliciting funds that would help send MDA clients to summer camp.
“I don’t know about this year,” said Kawamura, a second-time jailbird at the Lock-Up. “I have too many hats on so I guess I have to spread things around.”
Allicyn Hayes, the district field representative for MDA, said the goal of this year’s event was to raise some $58,000.
“It’s high considering the economic times, but we aiming high,” Hayes said. “Last year, Kawamura raised about $7,000, but it’s not going to be that high this time.”
Following the day-long event that ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Duke’s restaurant at Kalapaki, Hayes updated her totals, noting that more than $48,000 was raised, and was expecting more monetary contributions to be mailed in.
Hayes said she also got a lot of help this year, especially from the volunteers who can’t remember how long they’ve been helping at the Lock-Up.
“The police department normally gets about three officers to help ‘arrest’ people, but this year they’ve allowed seven officers to the detail,” Hayes said. “Ron Wiley of KQNG has offered to have the jailbirds call in to his show and plead their case on the air.”
The MDA Lock-up is the second of three fundraisers held on Kaua‘i to help those afflicted with muscular dystrophy. Earlier in the year, the MDA hosted its second Ride and Stride event at Kukui Grove, and in September, the Kaua‘i Fire Department will be involved in Fill the Boot campaign which is held in conjunction with the nationwide Jerry Lewis Telethon.
Pleading for leniency before Pannell, Quibilan said he only counted his pledges this morning and had about $2,000.
“The MDA was very pleased with the Lock-Up and the participation,” Hayes said.
Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body’s muscles, states a KidsHealth Web site. It is caused by incorrect or missing genetic information that prevents the body from making the proteins needed to build and maintain healthy muscles.
A child who is diagnosed with MD gradually loses the ability to do things like walk, sit upright, breathe easily and move arms and hands. This increasing weakness can lead to other health problems.
There is no cure for MD, but researchers are learning more about how to prevent and cure it. Doctors are also working on improving muscle and joint function and slowing muscle deterioration so those with MD can live as actively and independently as possible.
Funds generated by the MDA fundraisers help these research efforts as well as provide clients services such as the MDA clinics, equipment funding and the summer camp program.
For more information, visit www.mda.com
