WAILUA — United in service, the Kaua‘i Lions Club was joined by the Kapa‘a Lions Club and East Kaua‘i Lions Club in performing its 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance project Saturday at the Wailua Houselots Park pavilion.
“This is where we meet?” Kaua‘i Lions Club newly elected President Wayne Mukai had to check with Past President Muriah Moises. “We’re cleaning up the picnic tables — I didn’t realize there were that many staples! — and repainting them.”
In addition to giving the picnic tables new coats of paint, the service project brought the various clubs together in the spirit of unity, the project also affording the Kapa‘a Lions Club a chance to demonstrate why it should continue to exist.
“This is Walton Hong of the Kapa‘a club,” said Janice Bond, past president of the East Kaua‘i Lions Club. “They have eight members and were going to close the club and let the members join East Kaua‘i. No, they can’t close the Kapa‘a club. My father was a member of that club, and Kapa‘a club pushed for the formation of the North Shore Lions Club. Look at how strong they are with that recent partnership with the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay in building the Kaua‘i Kupuna Park. Today, some of the Kapa‘a Lions Club are here to help, too.”
The service project was an opportunity for the Kaua‘i Lions Club to introduce its newest members, Tisha Ruiz and Michelle Panoke, who both wielded scrapers and hammers in search of stables.
“Chyenne Beach wanted to come out, too,” Panoke said. “But two of her boys play football with the Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association, so she’s at the football field for the boys’ opening day of games.”
Bond said scheduling conflicts and timing kept the East Kaua‘i Lions Club from performing its project Saturday.
“On Sept. 18, the East Kaua‘i Lions will be working with some members of the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce to paint a container on the Philippine Cultural Center’s property,” Bond said. “We’ll be starting at 8 a.m. with some of the project participants doing yard work and cleaning of the center. The Filipino Chamber of Commerce lets us use the center for our meetings so we can be gracious and do this for them.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
