LIHUE — Nalani Pa was out in the parking lot Saturday when her name was called as the grand-prize winner of the Fifth annual Back to School Bash held at Kukui Grove Center.
“She’s here,” a spectator in the crowded food court area called out. “You must be present to win. She’s here, just at her truck in the parking lot. But she’s here.”
Pa was the winner of a string of prizes handed out following the free distribution of more than 1,800 backpacks each with a value of more than $25 in school supplies, the highlight of the Back to School Bash presented by Kukui Grove Center, Kauai’s credit unions, and a host of community partners.
Public school, according to the state Department of Education calendar, starts as early as Aug. 1 when students report to school, and the Back to School Bash is meant to get students a head start on their back-to-school shopping.
“This is an event that everyone loves,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, Kukui Grove Center special events coordinator.
“We were getting calls this week from people who were interested in participating. One of those was the Wyndham Properties who, despite the lateness of their inquiry, put together six “VIP” backpacks valued at about $100 each that were used as special prize giveaways.”
In addition to the backpacks of school supplies that were given to children who were present, there were more than a dozen activity stations in the Fun Zone where shoppers could get information on the various programs available for students and their families.
Tenants from the Kukui Grove Center also took to the sidewalk, supplementing the activity stations with their respective offerings of make-it-and-take-it crafts oriented towards school, and other offering just-for-fun stations like the fish pond and popular face-painting.
“I love these types of events,” McFerrin-Warrack said.
“It’s a good feeling to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get their supplies that includes some enhancements like the colorful pencil boxes and pencil sharpeners. This reflects the community coming together to get something done.”
McFerrin-Warrack said if there are people who wanted to attend the event but could not make it, she has backpacks left over on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We work with the Department of Education to supply as many students as possible,” Warrack said.
“For those who were working, or volunteering at the Back to School Bash, we want to ensure their children are cared for. People need to call the Kukui Grove management office at 245-7784 in the next week and make arrangements to have the registration form filled out before picking up the backpack.”
The remainder go to the Parent Community Network Center coordinators who will get them out to the 15 schools to care for those students who come to school without anything.
“A lot of credit should go to the teachers,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “This would not have happened without those teachers and the skills they bring to the table. It’s just great to see the spirit of volunteerism alive.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
