WAILUA — Today marks the third year Desaray Saito-Brown and the Brown ‘ohana of Wailua Homesteads will donate pencils, flutes, and gift certificates to the students of Kaua‘i Community College’s Wai‘ale‘ale Project in honor of her son, a former student, Keanu Shannon Lawai‘a “Anu” Saito, also known as “Pocho Prince.”
“We miss him so much,” said Saito-Brown. “But we want to continue his memory in a good way, like spreading the message about life choices, and that everyone has someone they can lean on.”
Saito-Brown wrote a message on the gifts she gave to each student.
“In this life, no one is alone just like these mechanical pencils,” said Saito-Brown. “You may choose to refill or not, but it has to be filled to go on and write.”
She continued: “Please choose to refill as in life.”
Before the pandemic, Saito-Brown would visit the program in person on KCC’s campus and give a speech on life choices to the students in the Wai‘ale‘ale Project.
However, due to COVID-19, Saito-Brown will be practicing social distancing. She will drop 240 mechanical pencils, flutes, and 15 Aloha Aina Co. gift certificates off at the campus and share a YouTube video she created through a private Zoom meeting with staff and students.
Starting on Thursday, the Wai‘ale’ale Project will have a weekly drawing in honor of her son through Halloween, Oct. 31, with a grand prize drawing for one lucky KCC student.
“The 27th marks the day we lost our son,” said Saito-Brown. “The drawing ends on Halloween, which is my son’s favorite holiday.”
Saito-Brown’s husband Robert “Paka” Brown feels honored to give back to the program.
“They have done so much for my son Keanu and now my son Ali‘i,” said Brown. “I hope we can continue this tradition for years to come.”
Ali‘i Brown, Keanu’s younger brother, is united with his father’s thoughts.
“Doing this donation…in my brother, Keanu’s name is very special and something that (we) are very proud of,” said Ali‘i Brown.
KCC’s Student Academic Support Kalei Carvalho said it’s a rewarding and humbling experience working for the program.
“We have helped hundreds of students that thought college was never a possibility to obtain a college degree,” said Carvalho.
Carvalho said the main focus of their program is to reduce barriers that students often face.
“Many people in our community know that we provide scholarships (for) our students, however, I feel that the individualized support we provide is what truly makes the Wai‘ale‘ale Project so successful,” said Carvalho.
Carvalho said she met Keanu Saito while she was working for the Financial Aid Office.
“Every time I saw him on campus, I remembered how respectful he was to his mother in our office and I secretly wished my son would treat me the same way when he went to college,” said Carvalho. “I love how his ‘ohana uses this tragedy to shed light on a topic that many people struggle to discuss.
Carvalho said KCC’s students have many resources to help them with various challenges they may be experiencing both on and off-campus.
“If you are struggling right now, know that there are always people that are willing to listen to you and help you, so never hesitate to reach out.”
For more information, visit kauai.hawaii.edu/waialeale-project
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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
