KAPA‘A — The youth had an opportunity to serve the elders at the Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by the Kapa‘a Interfaith Council, Thursday. More than 150 people took advantage of the food and fellowship provided by the Interfaith Council, a collaborative
KAPA‘A — The youth had an opportunity to serve the elders at the Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by the Kapa‘a Interfaith Council, Thursday.
More than 150 people took advantage of the food and fellowship provided by the Interfaith Council, a collaborative effort by six churches, to enjoy Thanksgiving.
“It’s a great time to meet others in the community, talk story and celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving,” said Sybil Nishioka of the All Saints Church, one of six participating churches, in an e-mail.
Diners were served a traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared by Chef Mark Oyama of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering.
“We have almost everyone in the company here volunteering,” said Oyama. “There are at least 18 people who came out to help from the company.”
In addition to the meal served following an interfaith service at the All Saints Church, the Interfaith Council provided delivery service for the elderly, handicapped and shut-ins in the Kapa‘a area, the boundaries being the Wailua River and Anahola.
“This is a really good event,” said Dimples Kano, who has been volunteering since the Friday Salvation Army Thanksgiving food distribution and at the community luncheon, Wednesday. “I have to come and support John Constantino.”
Constantino was coordinating the youth group volunteers as well as the family-style entertainment on the stage.
Among those volunteers were Noelle and Kailee Oyama, daughters of Chef Oyama. The two young girls were in charge of getting pumpkin pie dessert to the diners, one volunteer greeter noting that Chef Mark is getting the whole family involved in the business.
“We have 350 plates and so far, we’ve gone through more than half of those,” Kano said. “We also had about a hundred deliveries go out.”
One of the volunteers from Mark’s Place said this was a great way to give back to the community.
When the volunteers in the serving line changed to an all-green hue, the color of the Mark’s Place shirts, he said, “It makes you feel really good.”
Participating churches included the All Saints Episcopal Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ward I and II, the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission, the Kapa‘a Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the Kapa‘a United Church of Christ and St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.
Chairpersons for the annual event are Diane Sato and Mary Smith.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
