Locked up for a good cause

NAWILIWILI — Stacie Chiba-Miguel needed $50 to make her goal Thursday during the Muscular Dystrophy Association Lock Up at the Duke’s restaurant at Kalapaki Beach.

“I don’t like to lose,” Chiba-Miguel said.

Chiba-Miguel was one of more than a hundred jailbirds thrown behind bars in an effort to reach the MDA goal of $40,000.

“We’re getting there,” said Jade Guess, MDA executive director who flew in from Honolulu. “We have reached $28,000 and the checks and cash from today’s Lock Up are still coming in.”

Rose Kurita, RSVP volunteer, served as the judge who threw away the keys on about 40 jailbirds who were convicted of having good hearts and supporting MDA.

“I’m ready to be promoted,” Kurita said. “I’ve been doing judge duty for the past five, or six years. RSVP has always been helping with the MDA Lock Up in addition to our other duties. I just threw the RSVP director, Donna Olivas Kaohi, in jail, too.”

Attorney Jonathan Chun capitalized on having all of the jailbirds in one location enjoying “bread and water” provided by Jamie Arreola and the Duke’s staff.

“This is a good place to find extra business,” Chun said. “Look at all these convicts. It’s a shame they’re all guilty (of having good hearts).”

Proceeds go to help families with expenses involved in living with muscular dystrophy.