PO‘IPU — This is one step toward being normal, said Darlene Yamase, the Director of Talent for the Kukui‘ula Development, Wednesday at The Club at Kukui‘ula.
“We opened The Club, today,” she said during the Fourth Team Kukui‘ula ‘Ohana Meal distribution for more than 150 associates and independent contractors who have been laid off during the pandemic shutdown. “We did the previous three pick ups at The Club’s roundabout, but because The Club opened, we moved the location to the loading area in the parking lot.”
Raydene Gampon of Kukui‘ula said they started doing ‘Ohana Meals that provide grocery items for all employees, not just the furloughed team.
“Many of our employees who continue to work, including the landscaping and golf course maintenance crews, have spouses that are out of work,” Gampon said. “And with kids not being in school, families are having to buy more groceries. We thought this would help ease the burden for our employees.”
Gampon said the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank helped sponsor the latest ‘Ohana Meal distribution with servings that included a pound of ground beef, pasta, tomato paste, Cream of Mushroom soup, a gallon of milk, and an variety of fresh lettuce. The Team Kukui‘ula volunteers added a variety of snack items courtesy of Southwest Airlines.
“Since the COVID shutdowns, we have changed our focus,” said Rowena Cobb, a KIFB board member. “We try to set packages that allow families to cook meals at home, rather than just food. This allows the food to stretch farther.”
Since starting the program for Team Kukui‘ula, Gampon said they have distributed food stuffs and groceries including kalua pig, heads of cabbage, fresh fish, bags of rice, eggs, fresh lettuce, poi, bagels, and even Goteborg sausage.
She added that the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation was also hosting a food distribution for its employees earlier that morning.
