LIHU‘E — Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, said she even sold the banner to the Kaua‘i Loves Elvis event. “I had to at least get back the cost of producing it,” Kanoho said. “So, when someone
LIHU‘E — Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, said she even sold the banner to the Kaua‘i Loves Elvis event.
“I had to at least get back the cost of producing it,” Kanoho said. “So, when someone asked me if it was for sale, I said it was if they made the check out to Kaua‘i United Way.”
The sold-out event held recently at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club generated more than $5,000, which was presented to representatives of the Kaua‘i United Way Thursday at the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau offices.
Joining Kanoho, Jonathan Chun, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce board, represented the Kaua‘i Chamber, who partnered with the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau in bringing the talented Elvis impersonator to Kaua‘i.
“Kaua‘i United Way is most grateful to the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau and the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce for wishing to support our entire community by dedicating a portion of the proceeds from the overwhelmingly successful Kaua‘i Loves Elvis event to our 29 participating agencies,” said Scott Giarman, executive director of the Kaua‘i United Way.
Giarman was joined by Ron Wiley, the Kaua‘i United Way Campaign co-chair, Lynnette Medrano-Stine, the Kaua‘i United Way Campaign director and community services director, and Lori Almarza, the Kaua‘i United Way office manager.
“This is so exciting,” Medrano-Stine said. “We’re so close to hitting our campaign goal. I’m so excited, I could jump up and down.”
Giarman said despite the great success of its 2011 Kaua‘i United Way Annual Campaign, the Campaign Committee took the bold step of raising the goal for the 2012 campaign by 5 percent, or $30,000 to $635,000 in recognition of the rapidly-increasing social service needs on Kaua‘i.
“With a concerted island-wide effort — with many fundraisers, including Kaua‘i Loves Elvis, Keoki’s Paradise, the Gaylord’s Mohiko Lounge Speakeasy Grand Opening, and especially our classical music fundraisers, Classics … the United Way — we are approaching this ambitious goal,” Giarman said. “The latest calculations put us at 97 percent of the goal. We are so close.”
Giarman said over the past decade, the Kaua‘i United Way has outpaced other United Ways with consistent growth of 1 percent, 2 percent and sometimes 3 percent. But a 5 percent gain in one year, during a time when businesses continue to decentralize and foundation and corporate contributions are drying up, the goal appeared unrealistic.
“I guess the moral of the story is never to underestimate the generous spirit of the people of this island,” Giarman said. “With generous contributions continuing to come in, it is a distinct possibility that Kaua‘i United Way may actually reach this goal.”
Kaua‘i United Way’s participating agencies provide more than 80 unduplicated social services for the people of Kaua‘i.
Visit www.kauaiunitedway.org or call 245-2043 for more information or to make a contribution.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
