LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Paul Zina kept getting phone calls, Wednesday during the packing for the Back to School Bash that took place at the Kukui Grove Center.
“The phone kept buzzing,” Zina said. “I couldn’t stay in the line and stop every time the phone rang.”
Instead, Zina settled on compacting recyclables where the phone calls could be addressed without stopping progress on the packing of more than 2,000 backpacks with school supplies for the Back to School Bash that takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kukui Grove Center.
Zina was one of several hundred community volunteers who went through the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including face masks being worn and temperature screenings prior to entering the packing area, the process being administered by Department of Education representatives.
“I don’t know,” said Chantal Zarbaugh of the Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union who worked in tandem with retired Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent William “Bill” Arakaki in getting items shuttled to the assembly line up. “If they take my temperature now, I don’t think I would make it.”
With more than 2,000 backpacks already pre-registered for the Saturday event, volunteers assembled late contributions that will enable everyone taking in the Back to School Bash to get something.
Taylor Shigemoto of Hawai‘i USA Federal Credit Union came up with quality book titles that will allow the first 200 people in the distribution line, a quality hardcover book they can redeem the “Golden Ticket” for at the Hawai‘i USA office located at the Times Supermarket entrance to the shopping center.
But Shigemoto did not stop there as Hawai‘i USA FCU was able to secure more titles so people participating in the Spring Reading Challenge done in partnership with Usborne Books and abruptly interrupted by the pandemic can redeem their challenges, Saturday.
Garden Island Federal Credit Union “found” an additional 200 bags that could be packed with items, not necessarily all school supplies, and there were giveaway pens that needed sanitizing before being distributed along with parent resources, prizes, and family fun hosted in compliance with social distancing.
Melissa McFerrin-Warrack of Kukui Grove said with so many backpacks already pre-registered for, and more contributions coming in, the Back to School Bash, to be held within the confines of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, is not just about getting school supplies, but a celebration of student achievements — being able to finish and advance through the time when the pandemic shut down schools.
Grade 12 students advancing to the next page of their life’s story had alternative graduations and celebrations. But what of the other students, MeFerrin-Warrack said.
“My son Finnegan made it through the third grade,” the Kukui Grove assistant manager said. “He is moving on to Grade 4. That means something.”
Back to School Bash takes place Saturday at the Kukui Grove Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is presented by Kaua‘i’s credit unions, the Kukui Grove Center, and a host of community partners.
Information: www.kukuigrovecenter.com.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer, can be reached at
245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
