KAPA‘A — Friends of a couple who lost nearly everything in a fire last month have banded together to throw a fundraising party tonight that will help the newlyweds start over.
Alana Agustin, an event planner who lived next door to Shannon and Enzo Amitrano when they lived in the now-charred Kalaheo house, said she wanted to do something to get them back on their feet.
“Naturally my way of helping is planning a party,” Agustin said.
She said she especially felt for the couple, because their home had burned while they were on their honeymoon in the Kalalau Valley.
With the help of friends Michelle Mackler and Trevor Ford, Agustin brainstormed ideas and then gathered local business owners to put together something that would put treasure back into the Amitranos’ chest.
The Pirate & Wench’s Night of FUN-draising begins at 7 p.m. at Trees Lounge in Kapa‘a, and includes a silent auction, grog, and prizes for a pirate and wench costume contest. Donovan Kanani Cabebe of “DJ All Natural” is donating his services and Trees donated most of the materials needed to put on the event, Agustin said.
Auction items include two jumps from Skydive Kaua‘i, along with gift certificates from Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar in Po‘ipu, Bubba Burgers and Mark’s Place, as well as for a deep tissue massage.
A door fee and proceeds from a drink special will also go to the Amitranos.
“If each day we all wake up and think about how we might make a difference within our community the Aloha Spirit that runs throughout Kaua‘i will remain strong and thrive,” Agustin said of the effort.
In addition to Sunday’s fundraiser, friends have also established a relief fund on GiveForward.com for the Amitranos. According to an e-mail from friend Melissa Tropp, the response has been staggering. More than $1,000 has been raised so far.
“We weren’t able to make it to the wedding,” Tropp said in a press release. “And we hadn’t gotten around to getting them a gift yet. So when I heard what happened, I thought this would make a pretty good one.”
Anyone interested in giving to the Amitranos can visit www.giveforward.com/helpforenzoandshannon.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@thegardenisland.com.
