KAPAHI — The alcohol is still there but the temptation was reduced, as groups of students from the Kapa‘a Middle School and Kapa‘a High School performed a makeover at the Menehune Food Mart in Kapahi Tuesday. Starting at 8 a.m.,
KAPAHI — The alcohol is still there but the temptation was reduced, as groups of students from the Kapa‘a Middle School and Kapa‘a High School performed a makeover at the Menehune Food Mart in Kapahi Tuesday.
Starting at 8 a.m., the students, under the direction of Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, collaborated on a makeover of the convenience store, resulting in a bright, family-friendly environment.
“Many of our youth face the daily temptations of drugs and alcohol,” said Theresa Koki, Life’s Choices Kaua‘i Coordinator. “This makeover serves to decrease these temptations and create more awareness about the growing problem of underage drinking.”
Members of the Kapa‘a High School football team, under the supervision of Kapa‘a Athletic Director Gregg Gonsalves and Assistant Athletic Director Calvin Paleka, made short work of replacing alcoholic beverage-oriented signage with photographs and artwork featuring Kapa‘a student-athletes involved in healthy activities throughout the store.
Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-14th District, donned an apron, rolled up his sleeves, and spent time working alongside students in applying colorful appliques and anti-drinking messages along one wall of the store.
“The Kawakami and Furugen families as well as our entire Menehune Food Mart ‘ohana are very pleased to have participated in a project which increases the awareness of the importance of underage drinking prevention for our community, our employees, and our customers,” said Kawakami, adding his enthusiasm to the bustling group of students. “It is paramount that we take care of our No. 1 resource — our keiki.”
The Menehune Food Mart is the second Kaua‘i establishment to undergo this type of makeover; the first one was Kujo’s Mini Mart in Kalaheo, last June. A student-led team of volunteers partnered with Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, formerly known as the Anti-Drug Office under the Mayor’s Office, to repaint, re-do some of the major signage, and adding overall improvements while removing alcohol-related advertisements and replacing them with family photos and cultural-themed artwork.
Environmental strategies such as store makeovers that aim to reduce underage drinking through changes in community policies and practices is the primary focus of Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol, a prevention program which was initiated last year by Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, states a county news release.
Funding for the store makeover is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the state Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, Strategic Prevention Framework — State Incentive Grant, Hawai‘i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking and Life’s Choices Kaua‘i.
The mission of Life’s Choices Kaua‘i is to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, support the enforcement of local, state and federal laws dealing with drug and alcohol abuse, provide drug and alcohol treatment and resources for those in need, and help rehabilitated residents rejoin the community as successful citizens.
Visit www.kauai.gov/lifeschoiceskauai for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
