ANAHOLA — Kelvin Moniz, executive director of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, said the good thing about doing an Anahola food distribution is people are on time.
When gates to the Anahola clubhouse field opened at 9 a.m., a steady stream of cars flowed in during the Ka Hale Pono partnership with KIFB for a food giveaway that included 250 packages containing chicken, eggs, milk, assorted canned goods, including soup, cereal and bread.
“We’re back in the community,” said the state Department of Health’s Pua Kaohelauli‘i, who was joined by Bianca Gill and Duquesa Padamada, and Ramon Meraz of Malama Pono Health Services. “Today, we have a face mask, material on COVID-19, and some information on disaster preparedness.”
Meraz was closing bags with information on smoking cessation, women pregnancies and other health-related material.
“We had three ladies in the pregnancy program at Malama Pono,” he said. “But then, the COVID-19 hit and they got scared and dropped out. We’re still there, doing programs.”
Kellie Hines, the head golf pro at Hokuala Ocean Course, was among the volunteers.
“Chicken? Soups?” she asked. “Chicken with mushrooms…hmmm, people are going to eat good.”
The sense of neighbor-helping-neighbor permeated the field, sparked by Ka Hale Pono, which slowed the line by face-masked drivers wanting to wala‘au and being egged on by Moniz.
The distribution was intended for people who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the grim situation being lessened by the fellowship that swept the line of cars.
“The first 20 people must’ve done it,” said La Contrades. “They came, went home and told the neighbors. They’re all coming now.” That information flow was helped by other volunteers taking to social media live.
Moniz said KIFB is re-evaluating the situation following the recent announce-
ment of the trans-Pacific visitor quarantine being extended until Oct. 1.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
