Dine for a cause

POIPU — Dr. Monty Downs, president of the Kauai Lifeguard Association, had a special dinner Friday at Table 53 in the RumFire restaurant.

Downs was visited by some of the night crew of the RumFire restaurant and Sheraton Kauai Resort, where Table 53 is located. The group presented Downs with a check for more than $3,600.

The funds were from the StarWish Kauai “You Dine, We Donate” program, where proceeds from Table No. 53 are set aside for a specified nonprofit organization. The Kauai Lifeguard Association received May’s proceeds.

Downs was joined by his wife Elaine and Bill Prinzing, who helped install the beach safety signs at both the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club and more recently at Kalapaki Beach.

“The KLA truly appreciates the support of the Sheraton Kauai Resort,” Downs said, discussing the shoreline situation in front of the Poipu resort with Chip Bahouth, Sheraton Kauai’s general manager.

Bahouth said Sheraton Kauai has also arranged to have the recent ocean safety video shown in guest rooms as well as in the common areas of the resort.

“We appreciate the work KLA and the Kauai ocean safety people do to make our visitors’ experience a pleasant one, not a tragic one,” Bahouth said.

The program has contributed more than $34,000 to local charities since it started in October 2012. Recipients have included the Kauai United Way, the American Red Cross, Kauai Chapter, the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch, the Kauai Independent Food Bank, and the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

“It’s simple,” said June Cappiello, Sheraton Kauai’s spokeswoman. “You simply enjoy the best table in the house, and in return, help a local nonprofit with the work it does.”

Cappiello said proceeds from Table No. 53 will benefit the Kauai Veterans Museum for July.

Visit www.sheraton-kauai.com or call 742-1661 for more information.