LIHUE — Thomasyna “Louise” Bungala said the Salvation Army Community Luncheon is a tradition. “I started when I was in middle school,” Bungala said Wednesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. “This is my mom’s day. This is where
LIHUE — Thomasyna “Louise” Bungala said the Salvation Army Community Luncheon is a tradition.
“I started when I was in middle school,” Bungala said Wednesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. “This is my mom’s day. This is where she’s happy.”
Bungala is the granddaughter of Louise Tachikawa of Puhi who has been attending the Salvation Army luncheon for a long time.
“I belong to the Lihue Senior Center,” the elder Tachikawa said. “I used to play with the ukulele group, too. I enjoy this. I come with The Kauai Bus because I love the bus. The Kauai Bus drivers are all my (adopted) nephews, and I’m glad we have the para transit. I use them more than having my family drive me around because they’re busy.”
Bungala said both she and Tachikawa’s daughter, Halan Fernandez, have jobs requiring them to work on Thanksgiving, so the family had Thanksgiving onTuesday night.
“But this is the main one Louise looks forward to,” Bungala said. “This is her day.”
The Salvation Army hosted its annual Thanksgiving community luncheon with more than 500 people taking advantage of the hospitality to enjoy turkey, gravy and all the fixings. Entertainment was provided by the Lihue Senior Center Ukulele Group under the direction of Herman Paleka, while Larry Rivera joined forces with daughter Ilima Rivera and her group.
A similar luncheon took place at the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps community center.
“This is my last show,” Rivera said. “I say that every year. I’m 85 years old, and I started when the Salvation Army asked me way back. I never say ‘no’ to charity, and I love doing this. This is such a wonderful event because it’s not just Thanksgiving, you get the feeling of Christmas, and even New Year’s.”
Dimples Kano of Zonta Club of Kauai said she’s been helping with the Thanksgiving lunch for the past 42 years. They got assistance from a volunteer crew from First Hawaiian Bank, the Leadership Class at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, and the Kapaa High School Interact Club.
“I love this,” said Sierra Perry, an Interact Club member. “I love volunteering because this feels like I’m doing something good with my life.”
Sixto Tabay, a veteran who served with the Kauai Veterans Council Honor Guard, and his wife Alberta enjoyed the Thanksgiving presentation.
“I’ve been coming here for a long time,” Tabay said. “I don’t know how long — just long time.”
Salvation Army Lt. Elizabeth Gross said there was enough food prepared to provide a Thanksgiving lunch as part of its Kokua Soup Kitchen program, starting at 11:30 a.m. today.
