MANA — A pallet of food and nearly $2,200 was the contribution made by Manu Kai, a Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana contractor, to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank recently. The contribution represents contributions from Manu Kai employees, which
MANA — A pallet of food and nearly $2,200 was the contribution made by Manu Kai, a Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana contractor, to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank recently.
The contribution represents contributions from Manu Kai employees, which was matched by Manu Kai for the fourth straight year.
Jim Eken, the Manu Kai program manager, said as the holidays approached in 2012, the employees were asking how they could support the KIFB. Prompted by these questions, he approved a holiday food drive.
“Manu Kai’s Robyn Pu‘u and Julie Broyles led the initiative to make a holiday difference through the ‘spirit of giving,’” Eken says in a release. “I think we all understand that the ‘spirit of giving’ becomes more pronounced during the holiday season. I’m proud to say that the Manu Kai team again strapped on the KIFB food and monetary donation initiative in support of the Kaua‘i community.”
Throughout the month of December in 2009, Manu Kai employees assembled $1,140 in cash and Big Save gift cards.
The Manu Kai associates, in 2010, were determined to better its 2009 performance and succeeded, raising $1,517.
When learning of the need for canned protein, Manu Kai employees, in 2011, topped its 2010 total with a $1,550 contribution.
Faced with rolling up sleeves like the rest of the island in a tight economy, Manu Kai employees put together food and cash totaling $1,087 in 2012.
Phil Kahue, the Manu Kai general manager, approached the Manu Kai Board of Directors about matching the employees’ contributions.
“Indeed, this is a great initiative of our employees and the companies,” Kai said. “It was a unanimous decision with a gracious support from both ITT Exelis and Ke‘aki Technologies Leadership. Robyn Pu‘u, Julie Broyles, and all of our Manu Kai employees continue to support their community in any way they can.”
Kelvin Moniz, the KIFB food resources director, said the Manu Kai is very much appreciated and told the employees of the numerous Westside programs, which are serviced by KIFB.
“The generosity of our community to those in need never ceases to amaze me,” Moniz said. “Unprecedented demand continues to challenge the community, and without the kokua of our friends, families, neighbors and businesses, we would not have been able to respond to the 150,000 requests for food through the programs KIFB ran during 2012. These programs include the Keiki Cafe at the Boys & Girls Club, Waimea and Lihu‘e, the Back Pack Program at the Boys & Girls Club, Kapa‘a Clubhouse as well as at the Ni‘ihau Charter Schools in Kekaha and the emergency distribution program.”
Manu Kai is the primary support contractor for the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana, performing Base Operations and Range Operations services. The Manu Kai Joint Venture Contract is comprised of the Honolulu-based Ke‘aki Technologies and ITT Exelis based in Herndon, Va.
