HANALEI — A North Shore Lions Club donation of 10 washing machines is keeping North Shore residents in the clean.
When honorary mayor of the North Shore Gary Pacheco learned a priority for flooding victims was washing machines, he was on it.
“I went and did research on where I could get the machines,” said Pacheco, a charter member of the Lions Club.
He called Kmart in Lihue and was told they had just received a large shipment and would gave the Lions a discount.
So he hopped in his flatbed truck and made his way south, scooping up all 10 machines. Five were distributed to Hanalei residents, while five were transported to Wainiha and Haena.
Maru Beck, who lives on a 400-acre Waikoko farm, was one of the recipients of a washer. Her family’s washer and dryer in an outside shed were destroyed in the storm and were not covered by insurance.
“I asked my church if I could use theirs, but they lost their washer and drier in the storm as well,” Beck said.
Beck, who runs a preschool on her farm and houses a family who helps them on the property, said between the two families there’s eight people that need to do laundry. Plus, she said the preschool generates a lot of laundry.
Beck said it’s difficult for her and her husband to ask for help. So when Pacheco, who attends the same church as the Becks, showed up with the washing machine, it was a relief.
“I wasn’t home when Gary dropped the washing machine off and when my husband called me, I said, ‘hallelujah.’ A washing machine was huge. God was listening,” Beck said.
It was a blessing, she said, to know there were people who cared.
“That evening, I got home and started doing laundry,” she said.
The Lions Club isn’t done with flood relief efforts. Pacheco said they’re working with Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei Community Center to compile a list of those who need water heaters.
