NAWILIWILI — Ed Kawamura wanted people to know he is a repeat offender, said Jade Guess of the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Thursday. “He is one of the rare people who called to make sure we had ‘Repeat Offender’ on
NAWILIWILI — Ed Kawamura wanted people to know he is a repeat offender, said Jade Guess of the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Thursday.
“He is one of the rare people who called to make sure we had ‘Repeat Offender’ on his warrant,” Guess said. “I don’t know about that. Most people don’t want that label.”
Kawamura was whisked away from his M. Kawamura Farm Enterprises shop in Pua Loke and taken before Judge Rose Kurita, pleading for leniency with his bail.
“If people know I’m a repeat offender, they might be more generous,” Kawamura said. “I have to worry about other fundraisers, too. I get ‘locked up’ today, and then I have to walk at the MS Walk and take care of the the Disabled American Veterans convention.”
Guess said the goal for the Kauai MDA Lock Up was set at $40,000, and as the “convicts” were paraded in to face Judge Kurita, she said they were about $10,000 short of goal.
The MDA Lock Up is a fun and inspiring community event which unites business leaders to raise funds and awareness to help children and adults break free from the harm of muscle-debilitating diseases.
Business leaders join forces with MDA by agreeing to be “locked up” while they raise money for their “bail” which helps bring more everyday freedoms to people with muscular dystrophy, ALS and other related diseases that take away physical strength and mobility.
“We have a Memo of Agreement to help with the MDA Lock Up,” said Grace Delos Reyes of the county’s Office of Elderly Affairs. “We have been helping them for a number of years by providing the registrars, jailers, and judge.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
