People dug into wallets and rummaged through store shelves. A row of teddy bears was quickly joined by games, books, some clothing and eventually two bicycles, Saturday at Kukui Grove Shopping Center. The Lokahi Giving Project kicked off with a
People dug into wallets and rummaged through store shelves. A row of teddy bears was quickly joined by games, books, some clothing and eventually two bicycles, Saturday at Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
The Lokahi Giving Project kicked off with a full day of entertainment hosted by Gina Mangieri of KHON2.
Joining her was Kathy Miyake and a handful of volunteers from Central Pacific Bank who had just come off an exhausting Friday evening when that same group of volunteers had worked through thousands of people at the Lights on Rice parade.
“We’re here because this is a CPB state initiative,” Miyake said. “But because Kaua‘i doesn’t have a Keiki O Ka ‘Aina branch, we selected the Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity as Kaua‘i’s beneficiary.”
Keiki O Ka ‘Aina is the partner with KHON2 in administering the Lokahi Giving Project.
Absent was the Salvation Army, which initiated the first Saturday in December with its “Breakfast with Santa” program in previous years.
The crowd sparsely occupied the food court area, surging and ebbing with whatever group performed on the stage.
Previous Lokahi Giving Project launches were also helped off the ground with appearances of on-air personalities with Kaua‘i connections, including Ron Mizutani and former beauty queen Olena Rubin, a Kapa‘a High School graduate. This year, Gina Mangieri was accompanied by her son Cole Ewalt, 5, who lost little time engaging with the children of the CPB volunteers.
People filtered in and sporadic deposits were made throughout the day as local videographer Terry Moehler ran his videocam for airing on KHON2 Lokahi segments.
An informational flier states that Lokahi Giving Project was started in 1985 by newscaster Leslie Wilcox and Social Services Director Mariellen Jones to help Hawai‘i’s struggling families by providing them with basic necessities, year-round emergency assistance and brighter holiday seasons.
Lokahi helps those who face a life crisis or emergency situation beyond their control.
Additionally, working with more than 125 nonprofits, social service agencies, shelters, group homes and hospitals, Lokahi helps not only the poorest of the poor, but the gap group not qualified for assistance from any other agency.
Under the Lokahi Adopt-a-Family program, Lokahi matches up a wide range of individual and group donors with those who really need holiday cheer and basic necessities.
People can contribute to Lokahi year-round with monetary contributions, gift cards, or gifts-in-kind. For more information, visit the Lokahi Giving Project Web site at www.lokahigivingproject.com
