LIHUE — Nevaeh Silva, 4, was totally enjoying the Kauai United Way Walk-a-thon Saturday at Kukui Grove Center, nibbling at the fresh fruit being served up by Kapaa High School Interact Club students. “This is her first time walking,” said
LIHUE — Nevaeh Silva, 4, was totally enjoying the Kauai United Way Walk-a-thon Saturday at Kukui Grove Center, nibbling at the fresh fruit being served up by Kapaa High School Interact Club students.
“This is her first time walking,” said Colette Kawamura, Silva’s grandmother. “She’s a student with Ae Kamali‘i Preschool and was ahead of all the other students. She enjoyed doing this.”
The pair was just part of the Kauai United Way walk that saw more than 600 people begin their Saturday morning along a path more than a mile long.
“We changed the route to be safer,” said Mike Cano, a Boy Scout leader. “We’re just walking around the shopping center parking lot, cruising down to Kmart and around their parking lot before coming back to the center stage. This is a lot safer because we’re not crossing any roads, and we don’t need to pay for any police department services.”
Following the walk, Lori Almarza, the Kauai United Way office manager, said initial tallies show that the walkers raised more than $25,000. Helping the cause, Kukui Grove Center, represented by Wade Lord, the center’s general manager, presented a check for $1,000.
“This is how we can have fun while helping people,” said Scott Giarman, the Kauai United Way executive director. “Today is also the last day of the Haunted House which helps the Kauai United Way, and walkers can take advantage of its early opening.”
The Family and Friends of Agriculture added to the fun, offering nearly 200 pumpkins for distribution.