Rosie Carrillo and Luis Soltren discuss logistics while greeting guests to the Luis Soltren Christmas Giveaway Saturday outside the Kukui Grove 4 Cinemas.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Luis Soltren, second from right, is congratulated on his Christmas Giveaway for needy people by, from left, County Councilman Derek Kawakami, Rosie Carrillo, state Rep. James Tokioka, thankful keiki, Carrice Gardner representing Gov. David Ige, Kauai Police Department Chief Darryl Perry and wife Solette Perry, and Randall Machado of the governor’s office Saturday outside Kukui Grove 4 Cinemas in Lihue.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
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LIHUE — More than 70 people were treated to a matinee showing of “The Last Jedi” Saturday.
LIHUE — More than 70 people were treated to a matinee showing of “The Last Jedi” Saturday.
In addition to the movie and snacks at Kukui Grove Cinema, participants in the Luis Soltren Christmas Giveaway were given a $100 gift card for a shopping spree
at Kmart.
“We thought last year was the final year that Luis was doing this,” said Rosie Carrillo, the coordinator for keiki who need help. “But Chad Waters found some extra funds and asked Luis to do it again.”
So Soltren came out of “retirement,” pulling together the holiday gathering he has been doing for more than 30 years.
“Today is a special day in which we come together to lend a helping hand to Kauai’s keiki,” said Gov. David Ige in a message delivered by Carrice Gardner and Randall Machado. “For more than 30 years, Luis Soltren and generous community members have come together to share the Christmas spirit by sponsoring a fun-filled afternoon for deserving children and helping them fulfill their holiday wish lists.”
Ige extended his thank you and appreciation to Soltren, Carrillo and Waters for their efforts, which exemplify the aloha spirit and help make the holiday season brighter for many children.
“The holidays are a time to pause and give thanks to our families, friends and loved ones,” Ige said.
“Now, and throughout the year, many work tirelessly to give back to our community. Let us continue to act with this spirit of kindness throughout the year — by helping a neighbor, working to bridge our differences, and reconnecting with the values of aloha and lokahi that make our state special. Mahalo to everyone who make our keiki’s dreams for a festive holiday season a reality.”
