Haunted house for holiday food

LIHUE — The lights were flickering Friday night inside the blackened windows at the Kukui Grove Center.

Inside, zombies and monsters were screeching to be let out following a year of hibernation in the dark.

Kukui Grove Center, in conjunction with the Aloha Dance Studio, celebrates the opening of its Haunted House on Friday to welcome the month of October, as well as show its support for the Kauai Independent Food Bank and its 2014 Holiday Food Drive.

A contribution of three canned goods earns a free ticket to the haunted house Friday, as the island’s regional mall launches its food drive campaign.

“We are honored to partner with the Kauai Independent Food Bank,” said Wade Lord, Kukui Grove Center general manager. “This is a great opportunity for Kukui Grove Center and the community to help those in need during the holiday season.”

Extending to Saturday, the Food Drive Day, Kukui Grove will match a dollar for every canned good contributed, up to $1,500.

Special collection bins will be set up around the shopping center and staffed by KIFB representatives and volunteers.

Additionally, Stacie Chiba-Miguel, the Kukui Grove assistant real estate manager, said there are tenants who are offering food drive specials beyond the Kukui Grove offer and encourages shoppers to check out the stores for their food drive specials.

“Now, more than ever, we all need to work together and provide the basic life necessity of food to all those in need,” Lord said.

The 2014 Holiday Food Drive kicked off Sept. 15 and runs through Dec. 31, with a goal of 40,000 pounds of food and $40,000 to help Kauai families through the holiday season, said Kelvin Moniz, KIFB executive director.

For more information about the food drive, call Chiba-Miguel at 977-8675. Call Moniz at 246-3809 for information about the Kauai Independent Food Bank.