Malama Kaua‘i delivers food in Second Phase

LIHU‘E — If it’s Wednesday, isn’t the food distribution supposed to take place at the Boys &Girls Club, Lihu‘e Clubhouse?

“That contract ended,” said Lenny Rapozo, the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall manager. “Malama Kaua‘i needed help with a site for this area so we helped them out by allowing them to use the convention hall for the drive through contactless distribution.”

Cars snaked through the convention hall parking lot to the covered entrance where teams from Malama Kaua‘i distributed bags of fresh produce amassed from local farmers.

“This is the second week of Phase 2,” said Joell Edwards, the Farm to School Hui Project Manager and Keiki Food Access from Malama Kaua‘i. “Last week, we distributed 250 bags. This week, we have 260 bags for this Lihu‘e site.”

Rapozo was impressed as the bags disappeared within the first few minutes of the distribution start scheduled for 11 a.m.

Edwards said this is the second phase of food distribution that includes about a thousand bags of produce being distributed throughout the island.

Monday distributions take place a Common Ground in Kilauea, Tuesdays distribution takes place in Anahola, Wednesdays are in Lihu‘e, Thursdays distribution is in Koloa at the drive through between the Koloa Elementary School and the Koloa Public Library, and Fridays, the distribution is in Kekaha at the Westside Christian Church.

Phase 2 of the distribution covers six weeks and should run through August with distribution starting at 11 a.m. at the various sites.

Rapozo noted the uncertainty of the times created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A few of his acquaintances have gone back to work after being furloughed in March. A lot more involved in the hospitality industry remain unemployed, and combined with the re-opening of resorts unclear, and the re-opening of schools, look at uncertain times, he said.

“But they all need food, and this distribution helps the local farmers as well so it’s good,” he said.