WAIPOULI — The big fire truck from the Kaikea Fire Station, the little fire truck, and a Kaua‘i Police Department blue-and-white were among the stream of traffic making its way through the resort grounds Thursday.
“They’ll be coming and going throughout the day,” said Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach general manager Chris Machorek. “We’re getting visited by First Responder crews throughout the day according to their shifts.”
The Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach continued a tradition started several years ago of providing meals to go for first responders, including the American Medical Response, KPD and Kaua‘i Fire Department, including lifeguards, who work on holidays to ensure the health and safety of the island.
These responders, like the staff of the resorts and hotels like the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach, spend their holidays away from their families working to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience for everyone.
Coincidentally, Nicholas Lakas of KSL Capital, representing the ownership of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach, and his family were staying at the Waipouli resort, enjoying an oceanside Thanksgiving.
“When he found out about our providing meals for the first responders, he wanted to be a part of the activity,” Machorek said. “This is all part of his Thanksgiving experience.”
Machorek said Nicholas’ family has fully taken in the island.
“East, west, north, south, and even up,” Machorek said. “They even learned how to surf at Po‘ipu, and guess what? They got to stand up the first time in the water. According to Nicholas’ kids, Mila and Liam, they want to do this every year.”
The first responders’ meals were made even more special because they were produced under the direction of the resort’s new Executive Chef Chanel Mitchell.
This story was updated at 10:11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.
