LIHU‘E — The 39th Annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon held at the Lihu‘e Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall Wednesday offered more than 500 residents a chance to gobble turkey. The event, whose prime sponsor was the Kaua‘i branch of The Salvation
LIHU‘E — The 39th Annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon held at the Lihu‘e Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall Wednesday offered more than 500 residents a chance to gobble turkey.
The event, whose prime sponsor was the Kaua‘i branch of The Salvation Army, brought together people from all “corners” of the island, offered folks a chance to talk story, and allowed others with modest incomes to sit down and eat a Thanksgiving meal as a family.
The occasion allowed many, including senior citizens, a chance to reminisce about past holiday seasons, and to prepare for this season’s holiday.
“It is a celebration of all that we have,” said Dore Jean Mansat, a co-coordinator of the event with Alexander & Baldwin executive Trinette Kaui. “It is a reminder of what the community does together, and proves they do care for one another.”
A similar luncheon was scheduled simultaneously at The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps near the Hanapepe Recreation Center.
The event sponsors tried to roll out the welcome mat for all.
A banner with the world “welcome” hung over the doorway of the building entrance, and volunteers young and old greeted folks with big smiles. Tropical flowers were dispersed throughout the eating hall, and tables were covered with tablecloths with Christmas themes.
Larry Rivera, a longtime Kaua‘i entertainer and a perennial performer at The Salvation Army Thanksgiving luncheons, and family members entertained the audience with Hawaiian holiday and Christmas tunes.
Over the years, Rivera has performed with his grown children, who are all professional musicians and entertainers.
This year, he got a boost of a different sort.
His sister, Anna Thuente, a professional singer who lived off-island before moving back to Kaua‘i, performed.
Thuente said she is a widow, and that she saw the Thanksgiving luncheon as a way to give her that extra emotional and spiritual lift heading into the holiday season.
Clifford Laborte, 52, of Lihu‘e, who is wheelchair bound due to a disability, felt the same.
“I don’t have family here. People here are my family,” said Laborte, his eyes widening and a smile breaking across his face as he looked out across the audience.
Violet Maio, 81, and her husband, Edward, 91, of Kapa‘a, said the festive event was too hard to pass up.
They came dressed for the occasion. They both wore green-and-red leis, and Violet Maio wore a haku lei of the same color combination, and a white sweatshirt with a Christmas theme.
“I have come here almost every year for at least 10 years,” Violet Maio said. “I am thanking God. You meet nice people here, and you enjoy everybody.”
Collette Tovi of Puhi said she enjoyed attending the luncheon because it gave her a chance to see friends and talk story.
She thanked the folks who have made the Thanksgiving luncheon a tradition on Kaua‘i. “It (the luncheon) is very special. All the people who prepared the food for us…I am thankful for that,” she said.
Patricia Calves said she and her husband, Sam, both residents of Puhi, attend the luncheon as a matter of convenience.
When the couple has something else to do this time of the year, they won’t come to the luncheon. If they have nothing to do, they will more than likely attend the event, Patricia Calves said.
“We are senior citizens. It is a free luncheon,” she said bashfully. “It is a way to start the holiday season.”
Attending the ceremony offered Noel Serquina, his girlfriend, Cherlee Furumoto, and their 18-month-old son, Justin, all of Hanama‘ulu, a chance to have a Thanksgiving meal together.
“It is family time for us,” said Furumoto as she cradled her son before her family went into the hall for the luncheon.
