Building a stronger community

PUHI — When the anticipated crowd of more than 300 people seeking free food and respite from the COVID-19 and other economic and social hardships collected at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center Saturday, Child &Family Service through its Nana’s House in Waimea was one of the coordinators, serving as the registration point for those recipients.

Child &Family Service is one of five partners of the most recently announced “Community Wins! Program” by Grove Farm.

“With many of our island’s residents out of work and local businesses suffering, Grove Farm wanted to continue to help our community,” Grove Farm officials said in a release announcing the Community Wins! initiative. “What better win-win program than to support both those in need plus local businesses at the same time.”

The Community Wins! Program launched with Grove Farm purchasing $50,000 in gift certificates and cards from local food establishments and community vendors, including Pono Market in Kapa‘a, Waipouli Deli and Restaurant, Fish Express, Tip Top Motel and Cafe, Dani’s Restaurant, Daddy O’s, Hanalima Bakery, Mama Lucy’s, Mark’s Place, Gina’s Anykine Grinds Cafe and Wrangler’s Restaurant.

Partnering with five local agencies — Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i), Child &Family Service, county Agency on Elderly Affairs, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity and Kaua‘i Hospice — The Community Wins! identifies those who are most in need.

“These recipients will receive the gift certificates to create the double win,” Grove Farm officials said. “First, by helping those in need and, secondly, by helping local businesses during these tough times.”

CFS is a family-centered, full-service nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children, and distributed some of its gift cards and certificates through the Festival of Hope for Families gathering in Kekaha Saturday.

“This Festival of Hope for Families will provide essential items like food and support services to more than 600 families in need from the community,” said CFS President and CEO Karen Tan. “The gift cards to local restaurants provided by Grove Farm will not only help feed those who are hungry, but will also help support our local eateries as well.” Watch for a story and photos on that distribution soon.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i supports youth who have faced adversity in their lives and experienced the loss of a valuable connection by helping young people create goals and, with the help of mentors, helps young people achieve their dreams.

Kealoha Takahashi, the executive director for the county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs, and Donna Lynn Loo, the Kaua‘i Retired and Senior Volunteer Program director, said the agency has more than 800 kupuna who live alone. They will work with their staff and volunteers to determine the best benefit for its gift cards.

“Your gift is so meaningful to our homeowners,” said Milani Pimental, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity executive director. “You (through the Kukulu Kaiaulu program) are helping Kaua‘i residents empower themselves to not only build homes, but build wealth and build a better future.”

Kaua‘i Hospice provides “a special kind of caring” as it works toward providing the highest quality of life for individuals and families facing life-threatening illnesses, and provide bereavement support to individuals. Kaua‘i Hospice Executive Director Trisha Yamashita and Development Liaison Jojo Kawamura said that while patients may not be able to frequent these restaurants, their caregivers and families welcome the gift cards and certificates because they too need support during this difficult period.

“When the novel coronavirus hit our island community in early spring, our team at Grove Farm embraced our responsibility ‘to build a community,’ or kukulu kaiaulu,” Grove Farm officials said. “A number of initiatives arose from Kukulu Kaiaulu, including this latest one — the Community Wins! Program.”

Other initiatives include the establishment of Puhi Park Produce that meets Saturdays from 10 a.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. at the park adjacent to Grove Farm headquarters, offering farmers and other vendors a place to sell their fresh produce and fish offerings while allowing residents a venue for shopping during the period when other farmers’ markets shut down.

Grove Farm also distributed 15,000 free face masks to the public through a series of three giveaways covering the island, and provided 28 picnic tables to schools to allow for safe student learning opportunities as the island’s public schools ready to open their doors Monday, Aug. 17.

Grove Farm also developed community newsletters to keep the community connected to its programs, including the latest Community Wins! Program that continues the tradition of Kukulu Kaiaulu — “to build a community.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.