POIPU — Kawika Levy, a student at the Koloa Elementary School, said the project did not take long to complete Wednesday at The Shops at Kukuiula. Levy was with his friend, Aydon Simms, a home schooler who looked longfully at
POIPU — Kawika Levy, a student at the Koloa Elementary School, said the project did not take long to complete Wednesday at The Shops at Kukuiula.
Levy was with his friend, Aydon Simms, a home schooler who looked longfully at the collection of handcrafted gift bags, seeking the one he created.
“It wasn’t hard to do, either,” he said.
The Shops at Kukuiula launched its campaign to distribute holiday gift bags decorated and crafted by Koloa Elementary School students with its usual fanfair of performances by the school’s ukulele club under the direction of Kumu Rachel Iha, and holiday mele performed by students.
The bags, which include a holiday tag and bow, were distributed to select stores within The Shops at Kukuiula and are available for a minimum donation of a dollar, with proceeds going to Koloa Elementary School.
The Shops at Kukuiula will match donations with a $1,000 contribution to the school.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Koloa Elementary School for the fifth year,” said Helaine Perel, real estate manager of The Shops at Kukuiula. “Our merchants support education in our community.”
Last year’s proceeds of nearly $2,000 were used for reading and math curriculum. This year’s will be used toward building the “whole student,” helping with technology programs and after school clubs.
“This is a good partnership for the school,” said Linda Uyehara, Koloa School principal. “The school benefits from the efforts of The Shops at Kukuiula, and the students get to give back by doing these performances as part of the weekly Kauai Culinary Market.”