LIHU‘E — Leaders of the business community took time to honor Kaua‘i’s veterans as well as fill the membership ranks of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce on Thursday during the Business After Hours event sponsored by For Kaua‘i magazine at
LIHU‘E — Leaders of the business community took time to honor Kaua‘i’s veterans as well as fill the membership ranks of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce on Thursday during the Business After Hours event sponsored by For Kaua‘i magazine at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
“It’s right next door and I never realized there was a place like this,” said Jim Pycha, who was touring the Kaua‘i Veterans Museum. The museum also solicited memberships from the guests who attended the pau hana event livened by entertainment from Cruz Control, the Garden Nile Belly Dancers and the introduction of Maka Nui by Mark Jeffers and Russell the Rooster of the Storybook Theater.
The Veterans Museum was open for tours during the event at no charge, although the chamber recommended a calabash contribution of $5 for the tour.
Lesther Calipjo of the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce was especially interested because the proposed Filipino Cultural Center has been progressing.
Aida Cruz of the Kaua‘i Veterans Center said they recently launched a $50,000 fundraising campaign to further expand the veterans museum and its display capabilities.
People interested in helping can drop off their contributions at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center at 3125 Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e, or call 246-1135.
Cruz said the next big event for Kaua‘i veterans is the annual free Veterans Day Parade scheduled for Nov. 10, coinciding with the 237th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps in Kapa‘a town.
On Thursday, more than a hundred people representing all segments of government spent the afternoon networking and enjoying the treats provided by Brennecke’s in Po‘ipu, Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach, Kaua‘i Coffee, Mark’s Place, the Hukilau Lanai, Duke’s at Kalapaki Beach, Kaua‘i Kookie, The Fish Express, Sweet Marie’s, Tiano’s Restaurant and Kaua‘i Spring Water.
The Kaua‘i High School Key Club was joined by some members of the Kapa‘a High School Key Club in doing the set-up, food handling and clean-up as a volunteer contribution.
Business leaders were able to meet some of the Kaua‘i veterans who were admitted at no charge and eligible to participate in the more than $3,500 in prizes. Prizes were contributed by the Kaua‘i Beach Resort, the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club, the St. Regis Princeville Resort, Waimea Plantation Cottages, Bobbie V’s Pizza, For Kaua‘i magazine, Jackson Clark Galleries, JJ’s Broiler, Lily O Boutique, Robert’s Jewelry and the Westin Hotel, Princeville. The Westin Hotel will be hosting its own Business After Hours on Aug. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at its outdoor waterfall terrace.
Other contributors included Flowers Forever, Inkspot Printing, Kaua‘i Nursery and Landscaping and Specialty Balloons.
The next big event on the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce calendar is the free Kaua‘i County Council Forum on Tuesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. and moderated by J Robertson of Ho‘ike Community Television.
Randall Francisco, the chamber’s president, said the forum, part of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce 2012 Political Forums and Debates, will also be broadcast live on KQNG Radio and will also be featured on Ho‘ike television.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
