LIHU‘E — Billed as a National Safety Day Fair, Kmart hosted a steady stream of customers last week at its store’s front parking lot fronting Nawiliwili Road. “This is the third year we’re hosting the event for families and their
LIHU‘E — Billed as a National Safety Day Fair, Kmart hosted a steady stream of customers last week at its store’s front parking lot fronting Nawiliwili Road.
“This is the third year we’re hosting the event for families and their keiki,” said Dana Garven, Kmart’s office manager, between registering new arrivals and putting the final check on the checklist before handing out certificates for goodies from Little Caesar’s.
Adults were not left out of the mix as parents were eligible to sign up for a $500 shopping spree.
The checklist provided families with a path which took them through the various agencies, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department, American Red Cross, American Medical Response, the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Sea Scouts program, the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Kaua‘i Lifeguards Association as well as a special display set up by the Sears Auto Department.
“Sharing your personal experiences as well as important information to our keiki, customers and associates about safety awareness, community outreach and personal safety is valuable and greatly appreciated,” said Jarett Chytka, the Kmart store manager. “Everyone did an awesome job.”
Jim Jung of the USCG Auxiliary and the Kaua‘i Lifeguards Association was no stranger to the safety event, having hosted one the week before at The Home Depot and being the spokesman at the KLA Second Wave Celebration where he manned the water safety exhibits.
Similarly, the Kaua‘i Police Dept. had several facets of its community safety units on hand, including the Mobile Incident Command vehicle which attracted the attention of youngsters.
KPD also hosted the Keiki Identification station where families could get free children IDs, a substance abuse center and a free infant car seat inspection station by certified inspectors.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department rolled out its fleet of trucks, including the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau unit which had a jetski unit in tow and the lineup of impressive vehicles was topped off with the American Medical Response ambulance and the Sea Scouts’ watercraft, The Sea Fox, the lineup peppered with safety tips, including Trick or Treat safety tips ahead of the upcoming Halloween celebration.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
