Paige Javier of Parents And Children Together said there was only one location where people could personally get their Keiki Day issue.
“Last year, we had multiple locations,” Javier said. “But we don’t have enough help so having to split our resources over so many different locations was difficult.”
Thursday, Javier and a corps of volunteers, including Mayor Derek Kawakami, Mel Rapozo, and more, took to the streets armed with the TGI special Keiki Day issue highlighting the keiki winners of this year’s essay and art contest that had a theme of “Dare to dream.”
“Mayor Kawakami was so cute,” Javier said. “When he found out we only had one location, he packed some papers to sell at the Safeway store. Copies of the Keiki Day are also supposed to be delivered to the schools so the schools will have copies to share with the keiki winners.”
Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, the special events coordinator for Kukui Grove Center, also popped in for a brief spell.
“That was about 8:30 a.m.,” Javier said. “Then, she was off to work. We also have Mel Rapozo scheduled to sell papers from 9 a.m.”
Rapozo’s appearance was slightly delayed, but on his showing, was summoned for paper sales by passing motorists.
“Look at this,” Rapozo said. “I made $20, and I didn’t have to buy coffee!”
Proceeds from the special Keiki Day issue help fund across 18 ohana-based programs, including a family visitation center, and support services on Kauai.
“This is for the keiki,” Arriola said. “I can get a copy to help our keiki.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
