Chuck Brady of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort said Monday that he never realized how many of the more than 200 people he knew.
Brady was one of a large number of Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort associates who shifted focus to the more than 200 kupuna who took in the hospitality of the property to enjoy lunch, entertainment and fellowship at the Po‘ipu resort.
“I never realize how long it’s been since I’ve been here,” said Kumu Sabra Kauka, one of the guests who came from all parts of the island.
Chip Bahouth, hotel general manager, greeted each arriving kupuna at the resort’s drive-thru.
“They’re all so happy,” Bahouth said. “You can see it in their eyes and their smiles. It has been too long that they haven’t had a reason to dress up and go some place, or do something.”
Kupuna were treated to a buffet lunch, entertainment from the resort’s staff and different departments, and Bingo.
“It’s not much,” Brady said. “But they each get a gift. There’s a centerpiece on each table, and lunch. That’s the main thing.”
Brady said the kupuna lunch was something the resort wanted to do for a long time. Eventually, as the pandemic rules and considerations relaxed, the project was tasked to a pair of management trainees — Zoe Chock and Gavin Baker.
“When you (have) the amount of love being shared, it’s not really a job,” Chock said. “We just talked to people who agreed to help. Look at the Housekeeping Department. I didn’t realize how much talent they have. And on short notice, too.”
Originally scheduled to host about a hundred kupuna, the response soon swelled the number to over 200 kupuna.
“With all that rain, there’re going to be those who won’t come,” Bahouth said. “But the word got out, and people are still coming. We’re going to have to figure out how to grow this.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
