PO‘IPU-TO-KAPA‘A — Kaua‘i took advantage of Thanksgiving Day to reflect and demonstrate gratefulness and appreciation at several events from Po‘ipu to Kapa‘a. “This is all donation,” said Melanie, the designated team leader at the Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship in Po‘ipu who
PO‘IPU-TO-KAPA‘A — Kaua‘i took advantage of Thanksgiving Day to reflect and demonstrate gratefulness and appreciation at several events from Po‘ipu to Kapa‘a.
“This is all donation,” said Melanie, the designated team leader at the Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship in Po‘ipu who arranged for delivery of more than 700 Thanksgiving meals.
“We didn’t want to ask the businesses for donations because they give the year ‘round. But it’s amazing how many people come forward at a time like this.”
Pastor Rick Bundschuh said the entire event, this year enjoying its second year, was all Melanie’s, adding that if the pastors want to take vacation, they’ll leave the church in her hands because of her efficiency in getting things done.
“Last year we started with 400 meals, and this year, the number swelled to 700,” said Melanie, who asked to remain anonymous by requesting her last name not be revealed.
“It’s all of these people coming out to help. It’s amazing.”
That volunteerism overflowed to the Thanksgiving lunch being served to more than 500 people at the All Saints Episcopal Church gym in Kapa‘a, hosted by the Interfaith Council of Kapa‘a.
That total included more than 140 meals delivered to homebound people, and an undetermined number of take-outs being served at the church.
“We have 30 people here,” said Mark Oyama of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, a key component of the lunch. “They’re all volunteers. This is the third year they’re doing this.”
Mary Margaret Smith, coordinator of the Kapa‘a lunch, said they could not do this event without help from Mark’s Place.
“We did it for three years at the Kapa‘a Hongwanji, then took a two-year break, and we’ve been doing it at the All Saints gym for the past three years,” Smith said.
“But when we resumed, we spoke with Mark and we just can’t do this without his help.”
Smith said the Interfaith Council of Kapa‘a is made up of seven churches: All Saints Church, the Church of Latter-day Saints, Wards 1 and 2, the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission, the Kapa‘a Hongwanji Mission, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and St. Catherine.
Melanie said she also got a lot of help from businesses to make the Po‘ipu event flow smoothly.
“The Garden Isle Healthcare employees did an in-house drive and collected enough to come up with 100 pies,” Melanie said.
“In addition to that, we had turkey training on how to make sure everything was done properly. Everything works because we had hot boxes from the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, Joe’s on the Green, Brennecke’s, Mark’s Place, Kalaheo Cafe and Kalaheo School.”
She said she wanted everything to be homemade to add the personal touch to Thanksgiving.
“We went through 500 pounds of green beans, 300 pounds of stuffing, and 105 turkeys,” Melanie said.
“These meals are being delivered to people from the Boys & Girls Club, Waimea Clubhouse, and through a list from Maya Inada of the Kalaheo Missionary Church.”
Similarly, Smith said the Kapa‘a event was designed to give a feel of home.
“This is for anyone,” Smith said. “Whether you’re a visitor who just needs some place to go so you’re not alone, or someone in the community, we want this to feel like you’re at aunty’s house.”
Aunty Stella Burgess of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa in Po‘ipu said they had planned a slate of activities to benefit several charitable organizations including the Make A Wish Foundation, the Kaua‘i United Way and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.
“We’re so grateful that there are adults who appreciate the keiki,” Burgess said.
“We have two of the five children who benefited from Make A Wish Foundation on a poster at the silent auction, and we want people to know just how grateful we are for our keiki.”
In addition to the silent auction, a portion from the Holiday Craft Fair and the holiday buffet at the ‘Ilima Terrace also added to the collection, guests being treated to a continuous slate of live entertainment at the Seaview Terrace.
“It’s amazing how she (Burgess) can take several events and combine them into a special theme,” said Amy Christmas, one of the vendors at the craft fair.
“I’m working today while my husband is home cooking. I have the lu‘au tonight at Kilohana, but on Christmas my husband gets to work at the craft fair at the Grand Hyatt and I get to stay home.”
Burgess said she wants everyone to know how special keiki are.
