LIHUE — An article in an inflight magazine triggered a gift to the Kauai Independent Food Bank by a hula halau on Oahu. “While returning from the Merrie Monarch’s 50th anniversary in April, I was enthralled by an article in
LIHUE — An article in an inflight magazine triggered a gift to the Kauai Independent Food Bank by a hula halau on Oahu.
“While returning from the Merrie Monarch’s 50th anniversary in April, I was enthralled by an article in the Hawaiian Airlines’ ‘Hanohano’ magazine about Kauai elementary schools’ joint efforts to help provide food to share with those less fortunate,” said Olana Ai of Halau Hula Olana, a hula halau on Oahu, in a letter to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
Accompanying the letter was a $1,500 check to the Kauai Independent Food Bank to provide food for the people who need help.
The Ai couple, Olana and Howard, said members of Halau Hula Olana in Japan and Oahu are still talking of the memories during their trip to Kauai in May where more than 400 dancers overflowed the west lawn of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in a special presentation.
“I am still receiving joyous praises from our Japanese hula sisters and haumana for the glorious time spent at Poipu last May,” Olana said. “Spirits were renewed, inspiring a long hula life filled with wondrous memories of beautiful Kauai — our every dream came true.”
Kaui Tanaka of the Mayor’s office said every three years, Halau Hula Olana travels to an outer island, this year’s trip being made to Kauai.
“For us to leave such a large footprint on the Garden Isle and not give back to the people for sharing their home would be so ungrateful,” Olana said.
Kelvin Moniz, KIFB food resources manager, said the gift was appreciated.
“Right now, KIFB is providing food to more than 16,000 keiki each month in locations from Kekaha to Kilauea through our Keiki Cafe and Back Pack program,” Moniz said. “This will help with those programs.”
The KIFB is in the midst of its Holiday Food and Fund Drive, which has a goal of 40,000 pounds of food and $40,000.
Residents can leave non-perishable food items at fire stations around the island, as well as at the KIFB Nawiliwili facility, 3285 Waapa Road.
Info: www.kauaifoodbank.org or 246-3809
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
