“We like to give back,” beamed Dr. Monty Downs, Kauai Lifeguard Association president, who knows that without community support the KLA could not work.
Kalani Vierra, director of the County’s Ocean Safety Bureau, seconded it.
“KLA provides so much support by providing more equipment, more education, and programs including our Keiki and Junior lifeguard program which serves 750 kids this year.,” he said. “Yet we know KLA gets their funds from the private sector and individuals concerned with saving lives.”
“Put it all together and you build an Ocean Minded Community,” remarked Andy Melamed, who created and continued the Wave campaigns for KLA thru 2017. “It’s amazing how people come to the forefront. As an example we now have 30 second Public Service Ocean Safety messages airing in 39,000 hotel rooms statewide daily. Spectrum TV came up with the offer for this statewide reach after seeing what KLA does for the island of Kauai. We’ve taken our community efforts and we are now building a model that sets an example for others.”
Melamed, who sits on the KLA board, turned the reins over to Chantal Zarbaugh for the 5th Wave event on July 27 and she reinforced KLA’s gratitude.
“The Kauai community certainly has come to the forefront. There are over $50,000 in prizes and merchandise offered at the 5th Wave and we have Ron Mizutani as our emcee for the evening,” she said. “When you look at what we have to offer those in attendance it’s just amazing.”
The Kauai Marriott Quickie Bingo games include a swimming pool party for 20, an oceanfront one bedroom suite as well as the Presidential Suite.
Gold whales tails and honu sparkling with gemstones created especially for the event came from Jim Saylor Jewelers and Goldsmiths Kauai Inc. respectively.
Drawings will take place through the evening including a grand prize $8,700 Alaska Airlines Grape Escape for seven nights in Sonoma’s wine country.
There will be a live auction before Makana’s performance for a Mokihana Travel trip for two for six nights on Oahu, VIP invitations to the annual Surfer Poll Awards at Turtle Bay, VIP passes to the Billabong Pipe Masters and a custom carved Alai a Kauai hardwood board by the talented craftsman Leleo Kinimaka.
Leleo is donating additional boards for our silent auction arena. His boards have sold at events around the world for up to $22,000, and one of his boards is at an international museum in Washington, D.C.
Master live art painter/performer Norton Wisdom will create pieces on stage inspired by the musicians of the evening that include Makana, Paula Fuga and Jonathan Rivera.
Wisdom who was a lifeguard who received the Los Angeles County Medal of Valor. He and his daughter Ireland are donating over 20 pieces of work for the silent auction area.
The celebration salutes Kauai lifeguards and there will be the annual Tower of Power presentation going to the guards of the year. There will also be the annual Percy Kinimaka Award of Aloha to the Junior Guard of the year, and a special video featuring our Kauai lifeguards.
As always, the Kauai Marriott is providing their award-winning winning buffet with chef Guy Higa and staff.
There are a few individual seats and remaining tables available for $200 a person with $120 of each being tax deductible.
The 5th Wave Celebration is set for 5 to 9:30 p.m.
For information go to Kauailifeguards.org or call Chantal Zarbaugh, 651-8913.
