Officers take to Walmart roof to raise money for Special Olympics
It was misting when Kauai Police Department sergeants Lance Okasaki and Philip Banquel made their way to the rooftop of the Walmart store in Lihue early Thursday morning.
“It’s raining now,” Okasaki said via a bull horn to the throng of shoppers. “But there is a break. I can see the blue. We might be wet now, but we’re going to get sunburned by the time this is done.”
Okasaki and Banquel volunteered to be on the roof for the annual Cop on Top fundraiser to benefit Kauai Special Olympics. The officers took their post in the 19th time Kauai Special Olympics has hosted the program, the first time being when Time Oceanic Cablevision hoisted officers atop the Safeway store in Kauai Village in Waipouli.
“We’ll take your change in the car,” Okasaki said. “A parking ticket costs $35. We’ll take that, too, because I pledge that I won’t be writing any tickets for three days — I’ll be up here. Everything helps our local Special Olympics athletes. Got change in your pocket? Yes, we accept that, too. And, there are premiums that go along with your gifts.”
The goal of the officers and Kauai Special Olympics is to raise at least $25,000 by Saturday afternoon when the officers touch ground again.
The program is being held with the help of several sponsoring organizations, including Kaiwa Construction, Kukuiula and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.
Similar Cop on Top events were unfolding at different locations throughout the state.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.