Mokihana Aquatics got a sweet surprise recently when Lappert’s Hawai‘i Ice Cream & Coffee made the organization the beneficiary of its popular booth at the Koloa Plantation Days block party. Working together, they served more than 1,200 customers in four
Mokihana Aquatics got a sweet surprise recently when Lappert’s Hawai‘i Ice Cream & Coffee made the organization the beneficiary of its popular booth at the Koloa Plantation Days block party.
Working together, they served more than 1,200 customers in four hours, selling $5,289 worth of Lappert’s super-premium ice cream. Lappert’s donated all the proceeds to Mokihana Aquatics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of competitive swimming.
The group honored Lappert’s for its generosity Saturday, Aug. 6, with a special ceremony at its annual tournament, which brings together some 100 swimmers from throughout the state.
Mokihana Aquatics members, parents and Coach Orlando Anaya — better known as “Coach O” — showed up at the booth on July 23 to help out the Lappert’s team.
While the Mokihana crew took orders, made change and wrapped cones, employees from the Koloa Lappert’s store did the scooping, which requires a bit of muscle and practice.
“It’s always been very important for us to give back to the community,” said Judy St. Clair, Lappert’s sales manager. “I know it sounds almost cliche, but we really mean it. We have always tried to help out in whatever way we can.”
Coach O said that Lappert’s contacted him about a month before the event to offer its booth as a fundraiser. “My jaw was hanging down to the ground,” he said. “I’m asking, is this Santa Claus I’m talking to? It was an extra special treat to have them contact us.”
The money will be used to purchase equipment, he said. Mokihana assists KIF in running the high school meets and also trains youth in competitive swimming, helping them to participate in eight to 12 off-island meets annually. Last year, four of the five KIF Swimming All-Stars were Mokihana Aquatics members.
Mokihana Aquatics also offers a wide range of courses, teaching people of all ages how to swim in mommy-baby, parent-keiki, keiki, adult and adult exercise classes. The classes also include open water training to make sure those who learn how to swim in a pool can also stay safe in the ocean.
Besides the Koloa Plantation Days block party booth, Lappert’s also participates in the Kapaa Rotary’s big annual fundraiser, Taste of Kauai, and regularly donates gift certificates, coffee, super-premium ice cream and pastries — handmade daily on Kauai — to community groups raising money through events and silent auctions.
Lappert’s Hawaii, specializing in premium Hawaiian ice cream and coffee, was founded on Kauai in 1983 and quickly gained an international following as the “aloha ice cream.” It has retail stores in Hanapepe, Koloa, Coconut Marketplace and Princeville Shopping Center on Kauai, The Shops at Wailua on Maui, Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu, and provides ice cream to Host Marriott at the various statewide airports.
